P0E42 code meaning
Charge Status Indicator B Control Circuit High
What P0E42 means
P0E42 means the driver circuit of charge status indicator B shows voltage at a moment when the light should be switched off, pointing to a short to a supply wire or a driver that stays on. P0E42 appears in no public manufacturer document. Indicator A gives the reference: on the 2012 Chevrolet Volt, GM's table 12OBDG01A includes in P0D2C a check for a short to battery while the LED is off, requiring 40 out of 50 failed readings at 100 ms intervals. The same logic would apply to light B. In practice indicator B often belongs to the charge port, so wet or corroded contacts and harness damage at the flap are common starting points. Expect a second light that glows or flickers out of turn. Low is P0E41, open is P0DE5.
P0E42 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium, DIY possible
- Typical labor0.3 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0E42
- Second charge light glowing or flickering when not charging
- Charging itself works
Common causes of P0E42
- Most likelyIndicator B wire touching a live wire at the charge port
- PossibleWet or corroded contacts bridging to a supply pin
- Less likelyOutput driver for indicator B stuck on
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Charge status indicator bWiring harness
What each part of P0E42 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 42 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0E42 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 P0E42
What does P0E42 mean?
P0E42 means "Charge Status Indicator B Control Circuit High". P0E42 means the driver circuit of charge status indicator B shows voltage at a moment when the light should be switched off, pointing to a short to a supply wire or a driver that stays on. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0E42?
P0E42 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will P0E42 fail an emissions test?
P0E42 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 P0E42 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.3 to 2 hours of work. A careful DIY repair is possible with basic tools and a scanner.
Will P0E42 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.