AutoCodes – Buick – P0B8B Buick

P0B8B Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 17 Circuit

Quick Answer

The Hybrid/Electric Vehicle battery pack contains 288 cells. Common causes include Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Pack, Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Interface Control Module. Severity is High - diagnose this code as soon as possible. Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

What it means: P0B8B Buick indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 17 Circuit.
Common causes: Common causes include Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Pack, Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Interface Control Module.
Severity: High - diagnose this code as soon as possible.
Can I drive?: Driving is not recommended if the warning light is flashing, the engine runs poorly, or safety-related symptoms are present.

Save to My Repairs My Repairs

AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat

Code Popularity 795

How popular is this code, among other codes? Low

Repair Importance Level

Urgent (Diagnose now) (3 / 3)

Repair Difficulty Level

Advanced (Pro) (3 / 3)

What is this?

Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Mar 08, 2020

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
FAQs
Comments
Add Comment

💬 Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers — it's free!

Code P0B8B Buick Description

The Hybrid/Electric Vehicle battery pack contains 288 cells. Groups of three cells are welded together in parallel. There are a total of 96 cell groups in the hybrid/EV battery pack assembly. These cell groups are electrically connected in-series. Each individual cell group is rated at 3.7 V, for a nominal system voltage of 355 V direct current. The battery cells are also grouped together into three sections. The first 90 cells/30 cell groups make up battery section one. This section is adjacent to the cowl and contains batteries 67 through to 96. Battery section two is located behind section one. It is made up of 72 cells/24 cell groups and contains batteries 43 through to 66. The transverse battery section is section number three, it is made up of the remaining 126 cells/42 cell groups and contains batteries 1 through to 42. The three battery sections are individually serviceable components.
The battery energy control module monitors the voltage of the 96 battery cell groups through the four hybrid/EV battery interface control modules. Voltage sense circuits are attached to each individual cell group, and these sense circuits terminate at a connector located on the top surface of the battery section. A serviceable auxiliary battery wiring harness joins this connector to a hybrid/EV battery interface control module, also located on the top surface of the battery section. The hybrid/EV battery interface control module encodes the voltage reading and transmits it to the battery energy control module through the battery control harness. There is one hybrid/EV battery interface control module located on battery sections one and two, and two hybrid/EV battery interface control modules associated with battery section three. The hybrid/EV battery interface control module, battery energy control module wiring harness, auxiliary battery wiring harness, and battery energy control module are all considered serviceable components.
The battery energy control module will determine when a fault condition is present. Diagnostics and system status are communicated from the battery energy control module to hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 through serial data. The hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 is the host controller for diagnostic trouble code information.

OBDII Code P0B8B Buick - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 17 Circuit - AutoCodes.com — P0B8B Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 17 Circuit

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P0B8B Buick?

Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Pack
Faulty Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery Interface Control Module

How to Fix the DTC P0B8B Buick?

Review the 'Possible Causes' above and visually examine the corresponding wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and inspect connector pins for signs of being broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded.

What is the Cost to Diagnose the Code?

Labor: 1.0

To diagnose the P0B8B Buick code, it typically requires 1.0 hour of labor. Rates vary by location, vehicle, and shop. Many shops charge between $80–$150 per hour; dealerships and metro areas may be higher, independents may be lower.

Need more information about the P0B8B Buick code?

Need more information on how to fix the P0B8B Buick code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P0B8B Buick code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

About the author: William Orellana is a Master Mechanic and Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience diagnosing and repairing vehicles. Learn more about his background.

Frequently Asked Questions about P0B8B Buick Code

1. What does the OBDII code P0B8B mean on a Buick?

P0B8B indicates an issue with the Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 17 Circuit, often related to a voltage imbalance or malfunction in that specific circuit.

2. What are the common symptoms of code P0B8B on a Buick?

Symptoms may include an illuminated check engine light, reduced fuel efficiency, limited hybrid system performance, or the vehicle entering limp mode.

3. What causes the P0B8B code on a Buick?

Common causes include a faulty battery cell, damaged wiring or connections in the battery circuit, or a malfunctioning battery control module.

4. Can I drive my Buick with the P0B8B code?

Driving with this code is not recommended as it could lead to further damage to the hybrid battery system or reduced vehicle performance.

5. How do you diagnose the P0B8B code on a Buick?

Diagnosis typically involves using a scan tool to check for related codes, inspecting the battery circuit wiring and connections, and testing the battery control module and individual cells.

6. How is the P0B8B code fixed on a Buick?

Repairs may include replacing faulty battery cells, repairing damaged wiring, or replacing the hybrid battery control module if necessary.

7. How much does it cost to fix the P0B8B code on a Buick?

Repair costs can vary widely depending on the issue, ranging from $100 for minor wiring repairs to over $1,000 for battery cell or module replacements.

8. Can a low-voltage battery cause the P0B8B code?

While unlikely, a low-voltage 12V battery may contribute to hybrid system issues. However, the primary cause is usually within the high-voltage battery system.

9. What tools are needed to troubleshoot the P0B8B code on a Buick?

A professional-grade OBDII scan tool with hybrid system capabilities, a multimeter, and possibly a battery testing tool are required for accurate diagnosis.

10. Does the P0B8B code mean I need to replace the entire hybrid battery?

Not necessarily. The issue may only involve a single circuit or cell, so targeted repairs can often resolve the problem without replacing the entire battery.