P0D49: Battery Charger 14 Volt Output Current Sensor Circuit Low

P0D49 reports that the current sensor in the charger's 14 V output reads too low. GM's battery charger control module in the 2011-2014 Volt and the ELR sets it when the raw current value is 0.293 A or less for 400 of 500 ms while the low-voltage section is awake, as a Type A fault with MIL; the 2016 ELR charger table also lists it as a precondition for its output power checks. GM treats a value at this level as a sensor fault, which points to an open or grounded sense path or failed measuring electronics. The high counterpart is P0D4A. This output is a low-voltage stage inside the charger, not the Volt's separate accessory power module. Charging behaviour can be affected; driving normally is not.

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 fail

Most likely causes

Open or grounded current sense path inside the charger
Failed low-voltage stage of the on-board charger
12 V supply or fuse of the charger interrupted

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 P0D49 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0D49?

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 P0D49?

The most common causes are: open or grounded current sense path inside the charger; failed low-voltage stage of the on-board charger; 12 V supply or fuse of the charger interrupted.

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.