AutoCodes – Generic – P1E81

P1E81 Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit

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: P1E81 indicates Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit.
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 1,210

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 14, 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 P1E81 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 P1E81 - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit - AutoCodes.com — P1E81 Code - Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit

What does this mean?

What are the Possible Causes of the DTC P1E81?

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

How to Fix the DTC P1E81?

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 P1E81 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 P1E81 code?

Need more information on how to fix the P1E81 code? Get Access to Factory Service Manuals

Need Help with the Code?

Get the P1E81 code diagnosed by a professional: Find a repair shop in your area

Information for Specific Makes

P1E81 Buick — Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit
P1E81 Cadillac — Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit
P1E81 Chevrolet — Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit
P1E81 GMC — Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit
P1E81 Saturn — Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit

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 P1E81 Code

1. What does the OBDII code P1E81 mean?

P1E81 indicates an issue with the Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Battery 86 Circuit, which typically refers to a problem in the high-voltage battery system or its associated wiring.

2. What are the common symptoms of code P1E81?

Symptoms may include a check engine light, reduced hybrid or EV performance, limited battery charging, or the vehicle operating in a fail-safe or reduced power mode.

3. What causes the P1E81 code to appear?

Common causes include wiring or connector issues in the battery circuit, a faulty battery control module, damaged high-voltage battery cells, or software-related malfunctions.

4. Can driving with code P1E81 damage my vehicle?

Yes, continued driving with this code could lead to further damage to the hybrid/EV battery or other components, and it may decrease vehicle performance or reliability.

5. How do I diagnose the P1E81 code?

Start by checking the battery circuit wiring and connectors for damage or corrosion. Use a scan tool to examine battery control module data and perform specific high-voltage battery tests if needed.

6. Can a dead 12V battery cause the P1E81 code?

While a dead 12V battery can cause some hybrid/EV issues, code P1E81 specifically points to a fault in the high-voltage battery system, not the 12V system.

7. What repairs can fix the P1E81 code?

Repairs may include replacing damaged wiring or connectors, repairing or replacing the high-voltage battery, or updating/replacing the battery control module.

8. How much does it cost to fix the P1E81 code?

Repair costs vary widely depending on the issue, ranging from $100â€“$300 for wiring repairs to several thousand dollars if the high-voltage battery needs replacement.

9. Can a software update resolve the P1E81 code?

In some cases, a software update for the battery control module or vehicleâ€™s ECU may resolve the issue if itâ€™s caused by a programming fault.

10. Do I need a professional mechanic to fix the P1E81 code?

Yes, due to the high-voltage components involved, itâ€™s recommended to have a trained professional diagnose and repair this issue for safety and accuracy.