AutoCodes – Buick – P1BCE Buick

P1BCE Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 78 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: P1BCE Buick indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 78 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.

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Code Popularity 803

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 P1BCE 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 P1BCE Buick - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 78 Circuit High Voltage - AutoCodes.com — P1BCE Buick Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 78 Circuit High Voltage

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1BCE Buick?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1BCE 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 P1BCE 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.

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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 P1BCE Buick Code

1. What does the OBDII code P1BCE mean on a Buick?

The P1BCE code indicates a "Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 78 Circuit High Voltage" issue, meaning the voltage in the circuit for battery module 78 is higher than expected.

2. What are the common symptoms of the P1BCE code in a Buick?

Symptoms may include an illuminated check engine light, reduced hybrid/electric vehicle performance, or the vehicle entering a fail-safe or limp mode.

3. What causes the P1BCE code to appear on a Buick?

Possible causes include a faulty battery module, damaged wiring or connectors in the battery circuit, or issues with the battery management system.

4. Can I drive with the P1BCE code on my Buick?

It is not recommended to drive with this code active, as it may lead to further damage to the hybrid/electric battery system or reduced vehicle performance.

5. How is the P1BCE code diagnosed?

A technician will use a scan tool to read the code, inspect the battery circuit wiring and connectors, and check for abnormalities in the battery module or control system.

6. How do you fix the P1BCE code on a Buick?

Repairs may include replacing a faulty battery module, repairing or replacing damaged wiring, or recalibrating or replacing the battery control module.

7. Is the P1BCE code specific to Buick hybrid or electric vehicles?

Yes, the P1BCE code is specific to hybrid and electric Buick models equipped with a high-voltage battery system.

8. How much does it cost to repair the P1BCE code on a Buick?

Repair costs can vary widely, ranging from $150 for wiring repairs to over $2,000 if a battery module or control system needs replacement.

9. Can a dead 12-volt battery trigger the P1BCE code?

While uncommon, a malfunctioning 12-volt battery may indirectly cause issues in the hybrid system's communication or performance, potentially triggering related codes.

10. Do I need to replace the entire battery pack for a P1BCE code?

Not necessarily. A technician may only need to repair or replace the specific faulty module or component within the battery pack, depending on the diagnosis.