P0E72Control Pilot Signal Low Frequency
- Generic OBD-II code · Powertrain
- How the car detects it
- P0E72 refers to the pulse train that an AC charging station places onto the pilot wire. Under SAE J1772, matched by IEC 61851-1, this is a rectangular ±12 V signal at 1 kHz, and its duty cycle tells the car how much current it may draw. The vehicle measures the period of this signal; if it is clearly slower than 1 kHz, the reading is distrusted and P0E72 is stored, because a wrong frequency also makes the current limit unreliable. No manufacturer documents P0E72 publicly. A US Department of Energy test report on pilot-line communication (PNNL) treats the 1000 Hz frequency and pulse width as values that added equipment must not disturb. Causes are a faulty station or adapter, interference on the line, or the car's measuring circuit. P0E73 is the high case; voltage faults are P0CF4 to P0CF6.
- What you may notice
- AC charging does not start or stops at one station
- Charging works normally at other stations
- Likely causes
- LikelyCharging station or portable charger generating an off-spec pilot
- PossibleFaulty charging adapter or extension in the cable path
- RarePilot measuring circuit in the vehicle charger misreading
- Repair
- Easy · Often possible to do yourself.Typical cost: €0 – €600
- Related codes
Explanation from obdex (CC0), exactly as the app shows it. Guidance only; confirm with a workshop.