Powertrain, generic · Hybrid propulsion

P0A41 Drive Motor A Position Sensor Circuit Low

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P0A41 reports that a resolver signal of motor A sits below its permitted range, as happens with a sine, cosine or excitation wire shorted to ground, a shorted coil or a broken line pulled down by the input circuit. Kia documents it on the 2011-13 Optima Hybrid: an intermittent MIL or hybrid service lamp with P0A41 in the motor control unit, traced to internal shorts or poor pin fit in the sub-harness between the hybrid power control unit and the motor, checked against resistance specs. Bosch patents describe telling a short to ground from a short to supply by the offset of the coil lines. P0A42 is the high side, P0A3F the general loss of signal, P0A40 a degraded signal. Expect a warning lamp and possibly no electric drive.

Likely causes

Internal short in the resolver sub-harness between power control unit and motor (Kia Optima Hybrid)
Poor pin fit at the resolver connectors
Shorted resolver coil inside the motor
Faulty resolver input stage in the motor control unit

Symptoms

  • Intermittent MIL or hybrid service lamp
  • Electric drive temporarily disabled
  • Code returns after clearing, often with vibration or heat

Repair estimate

DifficultyShop_onlyWorkshop job
Parts and labour€150–3,500
Time1–8 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

drive motor arotor position sensorwiring harness

Related codes

P0A42P0A3FP0A40P0A43P0A47P0C52

References: static.nhtsa.gov, patents.google.com, law.cornell.edu.