P0B96 code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage Sense S Circuit Range/Performance
Powertrain system Generic code P0Bxx codes Check engine light
What P0B96 means
P0B96 is a plausibility code: the voltage of sense S looks electrically valid but fails to track the rest of the pack. GM's eAssist mild hybrid requires cell S to move at least half as much as the other cells once the average changes by more than 0.045 V, judged over 20 of 40 samples at 200 ms, Type B. The 16OBDG02 programme accepts a trend of 0.002 V and sets Type A after 35 of 40 evaluations, while the 2019 hybrid processor wants 0.005 V. On the 2012 two-mode trucks S is block 19, and the check scales blocks 19 and 20 by twenty and compares them with the pack voltage, with more than 70 V deviation in 160 of 170 samples leading to Type B. Circuit, low and high faults of S are excluded first.
P0B96 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 6 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0B96
- MIL with little or no change in driving
- Electric assist reduced at times
Common causes of P0B96
- Most likelyMeasuring channel S frozen or lagging behind the other cells
- PossibleBattery controller calibration requiring a software update
- Less likelyBlock 19 or 20 out of step with the pack on two-mode NiMH batteries
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 sWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0B96 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. |
| 96 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0B96 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 P0B96
What does P0B96 mean?
P0B96 means "Hybrid/EV Battery Voltage Sense S Circuit Range/Performance". P0B96 is a plausibility code: the voltage of sense S looks electrically valid but fails to track the rest of the pack. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0B96?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0B96 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0B96 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0B96 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 P0B96 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 6 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0B96 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.