Powertrain, generic

P0E13 Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater A Control Circuit Low

Check engine lightOn
EmissionsRelevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modePossible

P0E13 is the low-signal case on the command line of battery coolant heater A: the controller reads the line near ground at a moment when it expects a higher level, which points to a short to ground or a driver that cannot pull the circuit up. No manufacturer documents P0E13 publicly. GM's 2016 Volt folds open circuit, ground short and voltage short of its battery heater transistor into the single code P1EC3, rated Type B. Keep this low-voltage command fault apart from an isolation fault of the high-voltage heater element: GM bulletin PIC5920B lists the battery heater of the 2011–2014 Volt and 2014 ELR as one possible cause of isolation codes. CARB requires circuit checks on battery heating outputs. With the heater stuck off, winter charging slows down. P0E12 is the open circuit, P0E14 the high case.

Likely causes

Command wire shorted to ground, e.g. chafed against the body
Moisture or coolant in the heater connector
Internal short in the heater's control input
Output driver in the controller stuck low

Symptoms

  • Check engine light on
  • Battery heater does not work at low temperatures
  • Longer charging times in winter

Repair estimate

DifficultyHardWorkshop job
Parts and labour€80–1,500
Time1–4 h

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

Parts involved

hv battery pack coolant heater awiring harnessbms

Related codes

P0E12P0E14P0E15P0E17P0C48

References: gsi.ext.gm.com, static.nhtsa.gov, law.cornell.edu.