P0A61 code meaning
Drive Motor A Phase V Current Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Axx codes Check engine light
What P0A61 means
P0A61 indicates that phase V of drive motor A carries, or reports, too little current when it should be near its peak, pointing to an open phase V circuit. GM uses the same peak-axis test as for phase U on the 2016 Chevrolet Volt motor control processor and in its 2018 hybrid tables, here with the rotor within 30 degrees of the V phase axis: inverter above 50 V in normal PWM, squared current command above 900 A2 in 2016 and 4,900 A2 from 2018, a peak phase current under 9 A for 0.4 s within 0.6 s, Type A with MIL on the first trip. On inverters that sense only two phases a dead V sensor also corrupts the calculated third phase. A Caterpillar patent detects such a sensor by a near-zero phase reading. P0A62 is the high side, P0A5E and P0A64 cover U and W.
P0A61 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1.5 to 8 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0A61
- MIL and propulsion system warning
- Jerky or weak electric drive
Common causes of P0A61
- Most likelyOpen circuit in the phase V cable, connector or terminal
- PossiblePhase V current sensor reads zero
- PossiblePhase V switch of the inverter not conducting
- Less likelyOpen winding of phase V in drive motor A
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Drive motor a phase vInverter
What each part of P0A61 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. |
| 61 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0A61 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 P0A61
What does P0A61 mean?
P0A61 means "Drive Motor A Phase V Current Low". P0A61 indicates that phase V of drive motor A carries, or reports, too little current when it should be near its peak, pointing to an open phase V circuit. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0A61?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0A61 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0A61 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0A61 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 P0A61 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1.5 to 8 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0A61 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.