P0E3E code meaning
Control Pilot Indicator Control Circuit High
What P0E3E means
P0E3E is the high-side counterpart for the control pilot indicator circuit: the module senses voltage on the LED line when there should be little or none, the classic sign of a short to a supply wire. Publicly, no manufacturer documents P0E3E. On the Chevrolet Volt, GM's 2011 and 2012 tables still handle this under P0D2B, as a second case checked while the LED is commanded off, where 40 of 50 readings, one per 100 ms, have to fail. Shorts to voltage tend to come from chafed wiring at the charge port, where several feeds run side by side, or from a failed driver stage. The LED may glow permanently or flicker regardless of the real pilot state. P0E3D is the low case, P0D2B the open circuit; charging is normally not blocked.
P0E3E at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.5 to 2 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of P0E3E
- Pilot indicator lit or flickering without reason
- Misleading charge port light while charging works
Common causes of P0E3E
- Most likelyIndicator wire chafed against a supply wire near the charge port
- PossibleOutput stage in the module stuck on
- Less likelyWater in the charge port connector bridging pins
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Control pilot indicatorWiring harness
What each part of P0E3E means
| P | Powertrain system: engine, fuel system, ignition, emissions and transmission. |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 3E | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note P0E3E 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 P0E3E
What does P0E3E mean?
P0E3E means "Control Pilot Indicator Control Circuit High". P0E3E is the high-side counterpart for the control pilot indicator circuit: the module senses voltage on the LED line when there should be little or none, the classic sign of a short to a supply wire. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with P0E3E?
P0E3E does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will P0E3E fail an emissions test?
P0E3E is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is P0E3E to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.5 to 2 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will P0E3E clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.