AutoCodes – Buick – P1BA8 Buick

P1BA8 Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 66 Circuit Performance

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: P1BA8 Buick indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 66 Circuit Performance.
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 985

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
Add Comment

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

Code P1BA8 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 P1BA8 Buick - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 66 Circuit Performance - AutoCodes.com — P1BA8 Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 66 Circuit Performance

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1BA8 Buick?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1BA8 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 P1BA8 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 P1BA8 Buick code?

Need more information on how to fix the P1BA8 Buick code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P1BA8 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 P1BA8 Buick Code

1. What does the OBDII code P1BA8 mean on a Buick?

The code P1BA8 indicates a "Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 66 Circuit Performance" issue, which refers to a performance or communication problem in the high-voltage battery's circuitry.

2. What are the common symptoms of code P1BA8 on a Buick?

Symptoms may include the check engine light turning on, reduced fuel efficiency, limited hybrid/electric vehicle performance, or the vehicle entering limp mode.

3. What causes the P1BA8 code on a Buick?

Common causes include a malfunction in the high-voltage battery's wiring or connectors, a defective battery cell or module, or issues with the battery energy control module.

4. Can I drive my Buick with the P1BA8 code?

It is not recommended to drive the vehicle, as this issue can affect hybrid/electric system performance and potentially cause further damage to the high-voltage battery or related components.

5. How is the P1BA8 code diagnosed?

A technician will use a scan tool to confirm the code, inspect the high-voltage battery wiring and connectors, and perform tests on the battery modules and control systems to identify the fault.

6. How do you fix the P1BA8 code on a Buick?

Repairs may involve replacing damaged wiring, repairing or replacing the faulty battery module, or updating/reprogramming the battery energy control module if necessary.

7. Does the P1BA8 code require a high-voltage battery replacement?

Not always. The issue may be resolved by repairing wiring or replacing individual battery modules rather than replacing the entire battery.

8. Can a low 12-volt battery cause the P1BA8 code?

While unlikely, a low or faulty 12-volt battery can sometimes trigger false hybrid system codes. It is worth checking the 12-volt battery's condition during diagnosis.

9. Is the P1BA8 code covered under warranty for a Buick?

High-voltage battery and hybrid system components may be covered under an extended warranty, depending on the vehicle's age and mileage. Check with your dealer for details.

10. How much does it cost to repair the P1BA8 code on a Buick?

Repair costs vary depending on the issue. Wiring repairs may cost a few hundred dollars, while battery module replacements or control module repairs can be more expensive, potentially exceeding $1,000.