P0C83 code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor H Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Cxx codes Check engine light
What P0C83 means
P0C83 stands for a sensor H voltage under its permitted range, which with an NTC thermistor reads as heat: a short to ground or a shorted element makes the cell group seem far too hot. GM's 2016 Cadillac ELR table (16OBDG01) fails it above 87.5 °C, an ADC count below 680, for 1.4 s in a 2 s window, two trips; the Volt bulletin 18-NA-342 files it as the low-voltage fault of sensor 8. Mitsubishi's Outlander PHEV of 2018 reports a short of sensor [07] once the voltage sits below 0.12 V, beyond 125 °C, for 2 s, and points to the battery module or its cell monitoring unit. P0C84 is the matching high-voltage fault, P0C82 the plausibility test. Because the controller must assume a hot spot, it cuts power and may run the battery cooling hard.
P0C83 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 P0C83
- Hybrid warning lamp and strong power reduction
- Live data shows sensor H far hotter than its neighbours
- Battery cooling running at full effort
Common causes of P0C83
- Most likelySensor H signal shorted to ground or to the pack housing
- PossibleShorted thermistor H
- Less likelyFault in the cell monitoring unit that reads sensor H
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 hWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0C83 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. |
| 83 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0C83 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 P0C83
What does P0C83 mean?
P0C83 means "Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor H Circuit Low". P0C83 stands for a sensor H voltage under its permitted range, which with an NTC thermistor reads as heat: a short to ground or a shorted element makes the cell group seem far too hot. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0C83?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0C83 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0C83 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0C83 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 P0C83 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 1 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0C83 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.