P0D5E means the high-voltage side of the charger did not drop to a safe level in time after it was disconnected. GM's 2011 Volt charger module fails the test if 60 V or more remain 1.5 s after the discharge command, or 6.75 s after a confirmed communication loss with the hybrid controller; a backup routine then checks for battery current that would reveal a stuck contactor. The 2016 Volt allows 4 s after the contactors open, the 2019 Volt also 4 s against 58 V and adds a case for a failed voltage sensor combined with a stuck negative contactor. All are Type A with immediate MIL. A patent for on-board charger discharge circuits cites roughly 60 V as the safety limit. The opposite fault is P0D5D.
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 blocked after the fault
- Further high-voltage codes such as contactor faults may be stored
Most likely causes
- Active discharge circuit of the charger not working
- High-voltage contactor stuck closed keeps the bus energised
- Lost communication between charger and hybrid controller
- Charger voltage sensor reads falsely high
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
What each character of P0D5E means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- D: Subsystem depends on the code range
- 5E: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0D5E?
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 P0D5E?
The most common causes are: active discharge circuit of the charger not working; high-voltage contactor stuck closed keeps the bus energised; lost communication between charger and hybrid controller.
Related codes
- P0D5DBattery Charger Hybrid/EV System Discharge Time Too Short
- P0AA4Hybrid/EV Battery Negative Contactor Circuit Stuck Closed
- P0AA1Hybrid/EV Battery Positive Contactor Circuit Stuck Closed
- P0D4EBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit Low
- P0D4FBattery Charger Hybrid/EV Battery Output Voltage Sensor Circuit High
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 11OBDG01 HYBRID Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG01 Hybrid Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 19OBDG01 Hybrid Diagnostics
- patents.google.com: en
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.