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P1081-09 Fault Code: Peugeot/Citroën/Vauxhall EV Onboard Charger Fault

P1081-09 Fault Code: Peugeot/Citroën/Vauxhall EV Onboard Charger Fault

We’re seeing the P1081-09 fault code stored in various Stellantis-produced electric vehicles. The P1081-89 comes with a relatively vague description, something along the lines of “integrated charger with DC voltage converter”. The presence of this fault code indicates a fault within the car's integrated onboard charger, a part responsible for converting AC charging current into DC that the car's high-voltage system needs. The OBC doesn’t just charge the battery; it communicates with the battery management system. In the event of a fault being present, the car not charging could be just the start of your problems.

Which cars are prone to the P1081-09 fault

We see the P1081-09 fault code primarily in Stellantis-produced vehicles built on the e-CMP platform, such as:

P1081-09 fault code: the symptoms

The most common complaint is that the car no longer charges properly when using either a charging station or an at-home wall charger. Whilst fast charging at a DC charging station may still be possible, we often hear reports of slow charging speeds, interrupted charging sessions, possible overheating of the OBC and in some cases, audible clicking, buzzing or relay noises during charging.

P1081-09 fault code: possible causes

Most commonly, the P1081-09 fault code is present because of a fault within the OBC. But it’s important to rule out some external factors before condemning the unit, as charging issues could be caused by:

Faulty or incompatible charging cables
Problems with the charging station or wall charger
Poor contacts in the charging connector

If the fault is only present with one charging point, the cause is likely not with the car. However, if you’re faced with a recurring P1081-09 fault, accompanied by persistent AC charging problems, this indicates a fault within the car's onboard charger.

The solution: remanufacturing the onboard charger

The Mahle CAOBC1 3-Phase 11kw charger is an impressive bit of technology, responsible for converting alternating current to direct current to charge the high-voltage battery of Stellantis-built vehicles. However, we have seen that components within the OBC are susceptible to wear, thermal stress or voltage spikes. This can result in charging issues and fault codes, that lead to the car partially or completely blocking the charging process.

What exactly does remanufacturing entail?

At ACTRONICS, the fault onboard charger is not just repaired, but completely remanufactured down to the component level. The process includes:

Full strip-down of the OBC Inspection and testing to find the fault
Replacing the fault component(s) and addressing potential weaknesses
Extensive end-of-line testing under real-world conditions

Don’t replace, remanufacture

Remanufacturing offers advantages over new replacement parts

We back our work with a 2-year warranty
Remanufacturing is significantly cheaper than new replacement parts
We work on hundreds of parts every day for automotive businesses throughout the UK & Europe
Remanufacturing is the sustainable alternative to new parts