P0DE5 flags an interrupted drive circuit for charge status indicator B, a second lamp or LED that tells the owner whether the vehicle is charging, for instance one at the charge port next to the one on the dashboard. Which light gets the letter B is up to the maker. No manufacturer documents P0DE5 publicly. GM's tables for the Chevrolet Volt and Cadillac ELR only cover indicator A (P0D2C): the hybrid controller samples the LED driver every 100 ms, needs 40 bad results out of 50 and checks for a short to battery or an open line while the LED is commanded off. In the current code set, shorts on B have their own codes, P0E41 and P0E42, so P0DE5 narrows the fault to a break: a cut wire, a loose connector or a dead LED. Charging itself still works.
Medium severity. Can I keep driving?If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
Symptoms
- Charge status indicator B stays dark while charging
- Charging works normally
- Warning lamp possible depending on the manufacturer
Most likely causes
- Broken wire or unplugged connector to indicator B
- Burnt-out LED or failed indicator unit
- Corroded contacts in the weather-exposed charge port area
- Failed output driver in the controlling module
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
What each character of P0DE5 means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- D: Subsystem depends on the code range
- E5: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0DE5?
If the car is running normally, drive in moderation to a repair shop. If it loses power or another warning appears, do not continue.
What causes code P0DE5?
The most common causes are: broken wire or unplugged connector to indicator B; burnt-out LED or failed indicator unit; corroded contacts in the weather-exposed charge port area.
Related codes
- P0E41Charge Status Indicator B Control Circuit Low
- P0E42Charge Status Indicator B Control Circuit High
- P0D2CCharge Status Indicator A Control Circuit/Open
- P0E3FCharge Status Indicator A Control Circuit Low
- P0E40Charge Status Indicator A Control Circuit High
Sources
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 12OBDG01A HYBRID Diagnostics
- gsi.ext.gm.com: 16OBDG01 Hybrid Diagnostics
- static.nhtsa.gov: MC 10163672 9999
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.