P0D13 code meaning
Battery Charging System Negative Contactor A Control Circuit Low
What P0D13 means
P0D13 means the control line of negative charging contactor A reads too low, which points to a short to ground or a driver output held down. The coil then receives no current, or too little, and the contactor stays open. No manufacturer documents P0D13 publicly; GM notes that its P0D11 test for this contactor on the Volt and ELR cannot detect a short to ground, and CARB requires plug-in vehicles to monitor charging components. Typical causes are a wire chafed against the body or battery housing and moisture inside a connector. P0D14 is the high counterpart, P0D11 the open circuit, P0D0C the same fault on the positive side. In practice the vehicle refuses to charge.
P0D13 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0D13
- Vehicle refuses to charge
- Charging system warning
Common causes of P0D13
- Most likelyControl wire chafed through and shorted to ground
- PossibleMoisture in a connector creating a path to ground
- Less likelyShorted contactor coil
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Bcs neg contactor aWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0D13 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 13 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0D13 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0D13
What does P0D13 mean?
P0D13 means "Battery Charging System Negative Contactor A Control Circuit Low". P0D13 means the control line of negative charging contactor A reads too low, which points to a short to ground or a driver output held down. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0D13?
P0D13 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will P0D13 fail an emissions test?
P0D13 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P0D13 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0D13 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.