AutoCodes – Saturn – P1B73 Saturn

P1B73 Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 48 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: P1B73 Saturn indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 48 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 1,115

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 12, 2020

Description
Possible Causes
How To Fix
Cost to Diagnose
FAQs
Comments
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Code P1B73 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 P1B73 Saturn - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 48 Circuit Low Voltage - AutoCodes.com — P1B73 Saturn Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 48 Circuit Low Voltage

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1B73 Saturn?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1B73 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 P1B73 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 P1B73 Saturn Code

1. What does the OBDII code P1B73 mean on a Saturn?

P1B73 indicates a low voltage issue in the Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 48 circuit, which is part of the high-voltage battery system.

2. What are common symptoms of the P1B73 code?

Symptoms may include a check engine light, reduced hybrid system performance, limited electric-drive capability, or decreased fuel efficiency.

3. What causes the P1B73 code to appear?

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

4. Is it safe to drive with a P1B73 code?

Itâ€™s not recommended to drive for extended periods with this code, as it can lead to further damage in the hybrid system or leave you stranded if the battery system fails.

5. How do you diagnose the P1B73 code?

Diagnosis typically involves scanning the vehicle with a professional OBDII scanner, inspecting the battery wiring harness, testing the battery control module, and checking for voltage drops in the circuit.

6. Can a low 12V auxiliary battery cause the P1B73 code?

No, the P1B73 code specifically relates to the high-voltage hybrid battery system, not the 12V auxiliary battery.

7. What repairs are needed to fix the P1B73 code?

Repairs may include replacing a damaged battery module, repairing or replacing corroded wiring, cleaning connections, or reprogramming or replacing the battery control module.

8. How much does it cost to fix the P1B73 code?

Repair costs vary widely, depending on whether the issue is a minor wiring repair or a replacement of hybrid battery components, which can range from $100 to several thousand dollars.

9. Can I reset the P1B73 code without fixing the problem?

While you can clear the code with a scanner, it will likely return if the root cause of the low voltage issue isnâ€™t resolved.

10. Does the P1B73 code always mean the hybrid battery is bad?

Not necessarily. The issue could be due to wiring, connections, or the battery control module rather than the battery itself. Proper diagnosis is essential.