P0D38 is the general circuit code for the sensor that measures the AC current entering battery charger A, the on-board charger. It sets when the signal is missing or electrically invalid; range, low, high and intermittent faults have their own codes P0D39-P0D3C. No manufacturer documents P0D38 with set conditions in a public source. Mitsubishi's checks on the sibling codes show the scale: on the 2022 Outlander PHEV a sensor output below 0.344 V or above 4.658 V, about 54 A either way, for 0.5 s stops charging and leads to replacing the combined charger and DC/DC unit. Delta Electronics describes a self-test of a charger's current detection before power flows. Unlike P0D29 and P0D2A, which judge the current itself, P0D38 concerns the measurement. Charging is refused or aborted; driving stays possible.
High severity. Can I keep driving?If the car still runs, drive as little as possible and go to a specialized repair shop. Do not touch the orange cables: they carry high voltage.
Symptoms
- AC charging does not start or stops
- Charging fault indication on the dashboard or charge port
Most likely causes
- Current sensing inside the on-board charger failed
- Open or shorted sensor wiring or connector
- Charger software or supply voltage fault
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
What each character of P0D38 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- D: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 38: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0D38?
If the car still runs, drive as little as possible and go to a specialized repair shop. Do not touch the orange cables: they carry high voltage.
What causes code P0D38?
The most common causes are: current sensing inside the on-board charger failed; open or shorted sensor wiring or connector; charger software or supply voltage fault.
Related codes
- P0D39Battery Charger A Input Current Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P0D3ABattery Charger A Input Current Sensor Circuit Low
- P0D3BBattery Charger A Input Current Sensor Circuit High
- P0D3CBattery Charger A Input Current Sensor Circuit Intermittent/Erratic
- P0D29Battery Charger Input Current Too Low
- P0D2ABattery Charger Input Current Too High
Sources
Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.