AutoCodes – Saturn – P1B21 Saturn

P1B21 Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 30 Circuit High 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
P1B21 Saturn indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 30 Circuit High 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.
AI answers can be wrong. Verify repairs with testing. Open full chat
Code Popularity 849
How popular is this code, among other codes? Low
Table of contents Created and updated by William Orellana on Mar 08, 2020
πŸ’¬ Need more help? Ask Coddy for instant answers β€” it's free!

Code P1B21 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 P1B21 Saturn - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 30 Circuit High Voltage - AutoCodes.com
P1B21 Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 30 Circuit High Voltage

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1B21 Saturn?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1B21 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 P1B21 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.

Need more information about the P1B21 Saturn code?

Need more information on how to fix the P1B21 Saturn code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P1B21 Saturn 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 P1B21 Saturn Code

What does the OBDII code P1B21 mean on a Saturn?

The P1B21 code indicates a "Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 30 Circuit High Voltage" fault, meaning the voltage in the specified circuit is outside the expected range.

What are the common symptoms of a P1B21 code on a Saturn?

Symptoms may include the check engine light turning on, reduced hybrid or electric system performance, and possible issues with battery charging or discharging.

What causes the P1B21 code to appear?

This code can be caused by a faulty hybrid battery module, damaged wiring or connectors in the high-voltage battery circuit, or a malfunctioning battery control module.

Can a loose connection trigger the P1B21 code?

Yes, loose or corroded high-voltage circuit connections can cause this code by disrupting proper voltage transmission.

How is the P1B21 code diagnosed?

A technician will use a diagnostic scanner to confirm the code, inspect the high-voltage battery circuit for damage or corrosion, and test the battery control module for faults.

Is it safe to drive with the P1B21 code active?

Driving with this code may not be safe, as it could indicate a high-voltage issue that could lead to further damage or pose a safety risk.

What repairs can fix the P1B21 code?

Repairs may include replacing the hybrid battery module, repairing or replacing damaged wiring, or reprogramming or replacing the battery control module.

How much does it cost to fix a P1B21 code on a Saturn?

Repair costs can vary widely depending on the issue, ranging from $100 for wiring repairs to over $1,000 if the hybrid battery needs replacement.

Can a software update resolve the P1B21 code?

In some cases, a software update for the battery control module may resolve the issue if no hardware faults are present.

What tools are needed to repair the P1B21 code?

Common tools include a diagnostic scanner, a multimeter for voltage testing, and specialized equipment for handling high-voltage components safely.

Discuss the causes and fixes for P1B21 Saturn OBDII Code

Code P1B21 Saturn comments

No comments found for this page.

AutoCodes App

Fix Your Car Smarter

Try the New AutoCodes App!

Get complete OBDII diagnostics, repair solutions, and cost estimates, plus AI chat support on demand.

AutoCodes App on Google Play