P0AAE code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Air Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Axx codes Check engine light
What P0AAE means
The battery air temperature sensor is an NTC thermistor, so a low signal voltage reads as very hot air. P0AAE sets when the signal stays below the lower limit, usually a short to ground. GM's 2013 table (13OBDG05C) uses under 0.3 V, about 90 °C, in 7 of 10 samples; the two-mode hybrid tables of 2011 and 2013 flag an inlet reading above 95 °C in 30 of 40 samples. Both are Type B, two trips. Since the controller then assumes overheated cooling air, it may run the fan hard and cut battery power although nothing is hot. Look for chafed sensor wires touching ground or a sensor shorted internally. The opposite case, an open circuit reading as very cold, is P0AAF.
P0AAE at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 2.5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0AAE
- Check engine or hybrid warning light
- Battery cooling fan runs at high speed without reason
- Reduced electric assist and regeneration
Common causes of P0AAE
- Most likelySensor signal wire chafed and shorted to ground
- PossibleThermistor shorted internally
- Less likelyBattery controller input fault
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Hv battery pack air temp sensor aWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0AAE 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. |
| AE | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0AAE 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 P0AAE
What does P0AAE mean?
P0AAE means "Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Air Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low". The battery air temperature sensor is an NTC thermistor, so a low signal voltage reads as very hot air. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0AAE?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0AAE the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0AAE fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0AAE 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 P0AAE to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2.5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0AAE clear itself after the repair?
After the repair the car has to complete a drive cycle (a mix of city and highway driving) before the test runs again. Until then the readiness monitor shows "not ready", which can fail an inspection.