P0D5D concerns the active discharge of the charger's high-voltage side after charging ends: the stored voltage collapses faster than the circuit design allows. No manufacturer documents P0D5D publicly; GM's Volt only publishes the opposite case P0D5E. Patent literature explains why a fast drop is suspicious too: a German application on high-voltage diagnostics describes detecting a discharge path that is permanently switched on, and a quick decay can equally point to lost capacitance or a faulty voltage reading. Safety is not at risk, since the voltage does fall below the touch-safe level, but the electronics may be degraded. CARB requires detection of charger faults that disable or limit charging. Charging may be refused until the fault is repaired.
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
- Charging system warning after the end of charging
- Next charging session may not start
- No noticeable effect while driving
Most likely causes
- Discharge switch inside the charger stuck closed
- Link capacitor lost capacitance
- Charger voltage measurement reads falsely low
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
What each character of P0D5D means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- D: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 5D: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0D5D?
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 P0D5D?
The most common causes are: discharge switch inside the charger stuck closed; link capacitor lost capacitance; charger voltage measurement reads falsely low.
Related codes
- P0D5EBattery Charger Hybrid/EV System Discharge Time Too Long
- P0D4DBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
- P0D4EBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit Low
- P0D4FBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit 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.