P0C36 code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor F Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P0Cxx codes Check engine light
What P0C36 means
P0C36 means the voltage from battery temperature sensor F sits above its valid range. With GM's NTC thermistor and pull-up, an open circuit, a broken wire or an unplugged connector pulls the input up and reads as an impossibly cold cell group. GM's 2016 table fails it below −69 °C in 8 of 10 samples, the Volt battery tables of 2016 to 2019 below −40 °C for 1.4 s within 2 s, and the eAssist table above 4.63 V, about −45 °C, in 7 of 10 samples, each as Type B, two trips. Volt bulletin 18-NA-342 lists it as sensor 6 circuit high voltage and links the F group to a Battery Too Cold message. The counterpart for a short to ground is P0C35. Expect limited power and possibly pack heating that is not needed.
P0C36 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor1 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0C36
- MIL after two trips
- Battery too cold, plug in to warm message
- Reduced electric power
Common causes of P0C36
- Most likelyOpen circuit or unlatched connector of sensor F
- PossibleThermistor F open internally
- Less likelyModule software setting the code falsely in the cold (GM Volt)
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Hv battery temp sensor fWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0C36 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| C | Area: hybrid propulsion. |
| 36 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0C36 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 P0C36
What does P0C36 mean?
P0C36 means "Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor F Circuit High". P0C36 means the voltage from battery temperature sensor F sits above its valid range. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0C36?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0C36 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0C36 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0C36 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 P0C36 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0C36 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.