C0561
System Disabled Information Stored (Traction Control)C0561 is a generic OBD-II chassis diagnostic trouble code: System Disabled Information Stored (Traction Control). It is logged by the engine control unit when the chassis monitor detects that a specific fault threshold has been exceeded — typically resulting in the malfunction-indicator lamp (MIL / check-engine light) being illuminated.
What C0561 means
C0561 — System Disabled Information Stored — is a chassis-level informational code used primarily on GM and Chrysler/Stellantis vehicles. It records that the Traction Control System (TCS) and/or Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES/StabiliTrak/ESC) was intentionally deactivated, either by the driver pressing the traction control off button or by the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) receiving a disablement command from another module via the serial data bus. The code is a non-fault record: it documents a deliberate system state rather than an electrical or mechanical failure.
Subcodes refine the trigger: C0561-71 indicates invalid serial data was received by the EBCM (e.g., corrupted CAN messages from the ECM, BCM, or TCM causing a precautionary shutdown), while C0561-72 points to an alive-counter error on the data bus. In all cases the base hydraulic brakes remain fully operational. ABS, traction control, and electronic stability control are suspended until the condition clears or the system is re-enabled.
Because this is an informational record, no repair action is needed when the driver has simply pressed the TC button. When stored alongside other chassis or powertrain codes — particularly wheel speed sensor faults (C0035–C0050), throttle body codes (P2135), or ECM communication errors — those companion codes should be diagnosed first, as they are likely the root cause of the automatic EBCM shutdown.
Common causes
Most-frequently reported root causes when C0561 is logged.
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1
Driver intentionally pressed the traction control / StabiliTrak disable button on the dash.
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2
EBCM received invalid or corrupted serial data from the ECM, BCM, or TCM more than ten consecutive times.
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3
Alive-counter mismatch on the CAN bus caused the EBCM to consider incoming data unreliable.
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4
Wheel speed sensor fault triggered an EBCM precautionary self-disable.
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5
Weak or failing battery causing intermittent module resets and loss of serial communication.
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6
Faulty EBCM hardware or software requiring reprogramming.
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7
Body Control Module (BCM) sending incorrect or missing signals over the serial data network.
Symptoms drivers notice
How to diagnose C0561
A typical diagnostic flow when this code is present.
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1
Retrieve all stored DTCs with a bi-directional scan tool — C0561 is almost always a secondary code; identify and address any companion codes first.
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2
Confirm whether the driver recently pressed the traction control off button; if so, re-enable TC and clear the code, then verify no further codes return.
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3
Check battery voltage with engine running (target 13.8–14.4 V) and perform a load test to rule out weak battery as a communication fault source.
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4
Inspect all four wheel speed sensor connectors for corrosion or damage; test sensor resistance (typically 800–1,400 Ω for passive sensors).
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5
Verify CAN bus integrity by checking for U-code communication faults from the ECM, BCM, or TCM that could have forced the EBCM to disable stability systems.
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6
Clear codes, perform a road test above 30 km/h for at least 10 minutes, and recheck — if C0561 does not return in isolation, the system is operating normally.
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7
If C0561 returns without companion codes and without driver input, consider EBCM reprogramming or replacement.
Related chassis codes
Frequently asked questions
Is C0561 a serious fault that needs immediate repair?
No. C0561 is an informational record. When set by the driver pressing the traction control off button, it requires no repair — simply re-enable TC and clear the code. When stored alongside other DTCs, those companion codes represent the actual fault and should be diagnosed first.
Will C0561 cause my car to fail an emissions test?
C0561 is a chassis (C-code) DTC and does not affect OBD-II readiness monitors related to emissions. However, some states include ABS and brake system codes in safety inspections, so check local rules. The code alone does not illuminate a MIL on most GM applications.
Why does C0561 appear with subcode -71 or -72?
GM uses failure type byte (FTB) subcodes to classify the trigger. -71 means the EBCM received invalid serial data content, -72 means an alive-counter error (the module stopped counting message cycles correctly), and -74/77/78/79 indicate specific data-value failures from engine speed, throttle, or transmission signals. The subcode helps pinpoint the originating module.
Can a dead or weak battery cause C0561?
Yes. A battery that drops below roughly 10 V during cranking can cause module resets and lost CAN bus messages. When the EBCM loses communication with the ECM or BCM even briefly, it may store C0561 as a precaution. Always test battery condition first before condemning the EBCM or other modules.
Disabling C0561 in software
RaceTune can permanently disable C0561 — and any other OBD-II diagnostic trouble code — on every ECU family we support. The monitor is disabled inside the ECU itself, so the fault stops being logged: the warning light stays off and the engine never enters limp mode for this code. The change is tied to your exact software version.
Software modifications affect emissions compliance and are not road-legal in many jurisdictions. RaceTune service files are intended for motorsport, off-road, and export use.
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