An apparatus and method to detect a short circuit event in a fuel cell system of a vehicle. The detection relies on three existing sensors within the fuel cell system, two current sensors and a voltage sensor. A controller executes an algorithm with a set of thresholds stored in a computer readable medium to monitor the sensors to sense if any of the threshold values are crossed. If crossed, the controller may take remedial action to stop the short circuit and/or prevent damage to the fuel cell system. A mode manager may work with the controller to determine when the operating conditions of the fuel cell system are ideal for sensing for a low voltage condition indicative of a short circuit event. A pair of integrators may be electrically coupled to an alternating current sensor to differentiate a short circuit event from a high frequency resistance current.