P0B6E code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage Sense K Circuit Range/Performance
Powertrain system Generic code P0Bxx codes Check engine light
What P0B6E means
In a nickel-metal hydride pack with 20 equal blocks, twenty times one block voltage should roughly equal the whole pack voltage. GM's 2012 two-mode hybrids use exactly this for P0B6E, assigned to block 11: the battery pack control module checks blocks 11 and 12, and if both scaled values deviate from the pack voltage sensor by more than 70 V in 160 of 170 samples, the code is set, Type B. The test only runs with the contactors closed for over 200 ms and no pack voltage fault active. GM's lithium-ion controllers judge channel K differently, as a frozen value that fails to follow the average cell voltage (35 of 40 samples, Type A, in the 2019 tables). No other manufacturer publishes it.
P0B6E 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 P0B6E
- MIL after two trips
- Less electric assist, more engine running
Common causes of P0B6E
- Most likelyBlock or cell voltage measurement of channel K out of calibration
- PossiblePack voltage sensor reading off, distorting the comparison
- Less likelyMeasuring input stuck at one value
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Hv battery voltage sense kWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0B6E means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| B | Area: hybrid propulsion. |
| 6E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0B6E 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 P0B6E
What does P0B6E mean?
P0B6E means "Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage Sense K Circuit Range/Performance". In a nickel-metal hydride pack with 20 equal blocks, twenty times one block voltage should roughly equal the whole pack voltage. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0B6E?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0B6E the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0B6E fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0B6E 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 P0B6E to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 8 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0B6E clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.