What P0563 means
This code means the engine computer is seeing higher voltage on the electrical system than it expects, over a period of time, not just a quick spike. Normal charging voltage runs a little over 14 volts. When the computer sees voltage climb well above that and stay there, it sets this code. It is not naming a broken part. It is telling you the electrical system is running hotter, voltage-wise, than it should.
Is it safe to drive
Usually yes, for a short while, but do not ignore it. Sustained high voltage cooks electrical components over time. It can shorten the life of the battery, boil out battery fluid, and stress light bulbs, sensors, and control modules that all share the same electrical system. Watch for a battery warning light, headlights that seem too bright or that flicker, a smell of hot electronics or battery acid, or the battery itself getting warm to the touch. If you see any of those, or the check engine light starts flashing, get it looked at right away rather than waiting.
What commonly causes it
Most often this comes down to the voltage regulator, which on almost all modern cars is built into the alternator rather than being a separate part. A regulator that is stuck or failing can let the alternator overcharge the battery.
Beyond that, common causes include a bad connection at the battery or engine ground strap, which can confuse the charging system's feedback and cause it to overcorrect. Corroded or loose battery terminals do the same thing. On some vehicles a wiring fault between the alternator and the engine computer will cause this, especially if the alternator is externally regulated by the computer rather than internally regulated, which varies by manufacturer and by year. A battery that is failing internally can also fool the charging system into pushing more voltage than it should. Less often, the engine computer itself is misreading things and needs to be checked directly.
Because the causes are different depending on whether your car uses an internally regulated alternator or a computer-controlled one, we would not tell you which part is at fault without testing.
What diagnosis and repair involves
Diagnosis starts with checking actual system voltage with the engine running, at idle and under load, along with checking the battery's condition and checking grounds and connections for corrosion or looseness. That usually takes under an hour. If the alternator or regulator is the problem, replacement cost varies a lot by vehicle, since parts prices differ and some cars require more labor to get to the alternator than others. If it turns out to be a bad ground, a bad connection, or a weak battery, the fix is often cheaper than an alternator swap. We would not want to quote a number without seeing the car.
Auto Star Service Center handles this kind of electrical diagnosis. We are open Saturdays, 8 to 6, at 28801 Meridian E. Call (253) 375-7057 if you want to get it checked before it turns into a bigger problem.