P0A41 code meaning
Drive Motor A Position Sensor Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Axx codes Check engine light
What P0A41 means
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.
P0A41 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 8 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0A41
- Intermittent MIL or hybrid service lamp
- Electric drive temporarily disabled
- Code returns after clearing, often with vibration or heat
Common causes of P0A41
- Most likelyInternal short in the resolver sub-harness between power control unit and motor (Kia Optima Hybrid)
- Most likelyPoor pin fit at the resolver connectors
- Less likelyShorted resolver coil inside the motor
- Less likelyFaulty resolver input stage in the motor control unit
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Drive motor aRotor position sensorWiring harness
What each part of P0A41 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| A | Area: hybrid propulsion. |
| 41 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0A41 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about P0A41
What does P0A41 mean?
P0A41 means "Drive Motor A Position Sensor Circuit Low". 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. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0A41?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0A41 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0A41 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0A41 is emissions-related, so most inspection programs fail a car while it is stored or while the check engine light is on.
How hard is P0A41 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 8 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0A41 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.