CKFCar Known Faults
P0620severe Severity

Generator Control Circuit Malfunction

The Engine Control Module (ECM) has detected a fault in the alternator's control circuit, meaning the battery may not be charging correctly.

Common Symptoms

  • Red battery warning light on dashboard
  • Electrical systems dimming or shutting down
  • Vehicle fails to start (dead battery)

Generic Causes

  • Failing alternator or voltage regulator
  • Broken or slipping auxiliary serpentine belt
  • Corroded battery cables or poor ground connection

Known Cars Affected by P0620

We have cross-referenced P0620 against our database of known faults. Below are specific cars where this code frequently appears, along with the detailed diagnostic and repair instructions for that specific vehicle.

Alternator Smart Charge Failure

Critical
2004-201160,000–110,000 miles£20–£350

Ford's 'Smart Charge' alternators on the Mk2 Focus fail regularly, often taking the battery with them.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2004-201170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2014-201970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2010-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2008-201770,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2005-201170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2011-201870,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201670,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2008-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-202070,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2013-202170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2011-201870,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201870,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201770,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2004-201170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2009-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2015-202170,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2011-201870,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201470,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2010-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2009-201670,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201870,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2005-201470,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2003-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201770,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2011-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201470,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2009-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2008-201770,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2008-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2004-201370,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2013-201770,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2004-200970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2005-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2010-201970,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2007-201270,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2004-201070,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2012-201570,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

Alternator / Smart Charge System Failure

Severe
2006-201470,000–120,000 miles£250–£450

Modern vehicles use smart charging systems to reduce engine load, but the complex regulators on the alternators frequently fail.

P0620 OBD-II Fault Code: Generator Control Circuit Malfunction | Car Known Faults | Car Known Faults