P0D44: Battery Charger 14 Volt Output Voltage Sensor Circuit Low

P0D44 is logged once the voltage sensor of the charger's 14 V output delivers an implausibly low raw value. In GM's charger module for the 2011-2014 Volt and the ELR the limit is a sensor signal of 1.87 V or less, held for 400 of 500 ms while the low-voltage section is awake; it is a Type A fault and lights the MIL. The 2016 ELR charger table also lists the code as a precondition for its output power checks, and GM's 14 V output power test P0D5B only runs without it. The output is a low-voltage DC stage built into the charger, not the vehicle's primary DC/DC converter. A grounded signal path or failed electronics inside the charger are typical; internal faults are cured only by reprogramming or replacing the charger.

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

MIL on (GM)
Charging may stop or not complete

Most likely causes

Voltage sense signal shorted to ground inside the charger
Failed low-voltage stage of the on-board charger
14 V output collapsed by an external short or overload

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

Read the codes with a hybrid-compatible scanner and write down the freeze frame data
With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
Make sure the battery cooling air intake is clean
Check the 12 V auxiliary battery, which can also trigger warnings
Leave any high-voltage measurements to a specialized repair shop

What each character of P0D44 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
D: Subsystem depends on the code range
44: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0D44?

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 P0D44?

The most common causes are: voltage sense signal shorted to ground inside the charger; failed low-voltage stage of the on-board charger; 14 V output collapsed by an external short or overload.

Related codes

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.