P0CB5 code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor O Circuit High
Powertrain system Generic code P0Cxx codes Check engine light
What P0CB5 means
P0CB5 is stored when the input of sensor O sits above its upper voltage limit. An open thermistor, a broken wire or a loose plug lets the pull-up resistor raise the input, so the controller sees a temperature colder than any real pack could be. GM sets it in the HPC2 table 18OBDG02 when 8 of 10 readings at 100 ms intervals come out below −69 °C, Type B, with supply above 10.2 V and intact communication with the battery interface module. The 2011 Volt table drew the line at −40 °C, a raw count above 4,000, for 1.4 s within 2 s, and there one trip sufficed. For the Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi reads P0CB5 as an open circuit of module sensor [14]: above 3.97 V, below about −62 °C, for 2 s. A plug-in may then warm the pack for nothing or run the engine more; P0CB4 is the low twin.
P0CB5 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyWorkshop only
- Typical labor0.5 to 5 hours
- Clears after repairAfter a drive cycle
Symptoms of P0CB5
- Pack shown as extremely cold regardless of weather
- Less electric power, engine running more on plug-in hybrids
Common causes of P0CB5
- Most likelyOpen lead or unplugged connector of sensor O
- PossibleThermistor O open internally
- Less likelyCorroded or loose terminal at the sensing board
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 oWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0CB5 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. |
| B5 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0CB5 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 P0CB5
What does P0CB5 mean?
P0CB5 means "Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor O Circuit High". P0CB5 is stored when the input of sensor O sits above its upper voltage limit. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0CB5?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0CB5 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0CB5 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0CB5 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 P0CB5 to fix?
Difficulty: workshop only. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 5 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0CB5 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.