AutoCodes – Saturn – P1B1A Saturn

P1B1A Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 28 Circuit Low Voltage

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: P1B1A Saturn indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 28 Circuit Low Voltage.
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.

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Code Popularity 855

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
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Code P1B1A Saturn 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 P1B1A Saturn - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 28 Circuit Low Voltage - AutoCodes.com — P1B1A Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 28 Circuit Low Voltage

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1B1A Saturn?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1B1A Saturn?

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 P1B1A Saturn 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.

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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 P1B1A Saturn Code

What does the OBDII code P1B1A mean for a Saturn vehicle?

The P1B1A code indicates a low voltage issue in the Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 28 Circuit, which is part of the high-voltage battery system.

What are the common symptoms of the P1B1A code?

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

What causes the P1B1A code to appear?

Common causes include issues with the battery module, damaged wiring or connectors in the circuit, a faulty battery sensor, or degradation of the high-voltage battery cells.

Can the P1B1A code cause drivability problems?

Yes, it can lead to reduced power output, limited acceleration, or the vehicle entering a failsafe mode to protect the battery system.

How is the P1B1A code diagnosed?

A technician will use a scan tool to check for stored trouble codes, inspect the battery module and circuit wiring, and may perform voltage and resistance tests to pinpoint the issue.

Can a low 12-volt battery cause the P1B1A code?

No, the code specifically relates to the high-voltage hybrid/electric battery system, not the 12-volt auxiliary battery.

Is it safe to drive with the P1B1A code?

Driving with this code is not recommended, as it can lead to further damage to the battery system or leave the vehicle stranded due to reduced performance.

What repairs are commonly needed for the P1B1A code?

Repairs may include replacing damaged wiring or connectors, repairing or replacing the high-voltage battery module, or replacing a faulty battery sensor.

How much does it typically cost to fix the P1B1A code?

Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause, ranging from a few hundred dollars for wiring repairs to several thousand for battery module replacement.

Can the P1B1A code clear itself?

The code may temporarily clear if the issue is intermittent, but the underlying problem must be addressed to prevent it from returning.