P0E17 code meaning
Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater B Control Circuit Low
Powertrain system Generic code P0Exx codes Check engine light
What P0E17 means
P0E17 reports that the command signal to battery coolant heater B stays too low, most often from a short to ground between controller and heater. No manufacturer documents P0E17 publicly. Some designs give the second heater a different job, such as warming the cabin loop, and only borrow it for the pack when needed, as a Magna E-Car patent outlines; the wiring of heater B may then run through other areas than that of heater A. GM covers ground shorts of its battery heater command inside the broader code P1EC3 on the 2016 Volt (Type B), so an exact low-only threshold is not public. CARB requires circuit checks on heating outputs of the energy store. Chafing near brackets and water in the plug are the classic finds. Open circuit is P0E16, short to voltage P0E18.
P0E17 at a glance
- Check engine lightYes, usually on
- Emissions testCan fail
- Limp modePossible
- Repair difficultyHard
- Typical labor1 to 4 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0E17
- Check engine light on
- Second heater does not support battery warm-up
- Slower charging in winter
Common causes of P0E17
- Most likelyHeater B command wire shorted to ground
- PossibleWater or coolant in the heater B connector
- Less likelyInternal short at the control input of heater B
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Hv battery pack coolant heater bWiring harnessBms
What each part of P0E17 means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 17 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0E17 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 P0E17
What does P0E17 mean?
P0E17 means "Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Heater B Control Circuit Low". P0E17 reports that the command signal to battery coolant heater B stays too low, most often from a short to ground between controller and heater. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0E17?
Drive gently and only to a workshop. With P0E17 the car can go into limp mode (reduced power) to protect itself.
Will P0E17 fail an emissions test?
Yes, it can. P0E17 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 P0E17 to fix?
Difficulty: hard. A typical repair takes 1 to 4 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0E17 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.