P1E00: How to Diagnose & Fix — Hybrid Powertrain Control Module Requested MIL Illumination
3 vehicles · 1 makes
How to diagnose and fix P1E00: most-reported vehicles
Ranked by owner reports. Each card gives the symptoms, how to confirm the cause, the fix, parts and sources for that vehicle.
Chevrolet Volt · 2016–2019
NHTSA received 61 complaints about second-generation Volts losing motive power due to Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) failure. The BECM manages the high-voltage battery system, and when it fails, the vehicle can stall, enter a reduced power state, or refuse to start. Loss of power can occur at any speed, creating a serious safety hazard. The vehicle may be unable to restart after a BECM-related shutdown.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden loss of propulsion power while driving
- Vehicle enters reduced power mode unexpectedly
- Vehicle will not start or restart after shutdown
- Multiple warning messages on dashboard simultaneously
- Battery system fault codes stored in BECM
How to Fix
BECM replacement at a dealer costs $1,500-$3,000. The module must be programmed to the specific vehicle VIN. Check if a software update addresses your specific BECM behavior before committing to replacement. For vehicles under Voltec warranty (8 years/100,000 miles), BECM replacement is covered at no cost; GM Special Coverage N232432680 extends BECM coverage on 2016-2018 Volts to 15 years/150,000 miles.
Sources for this issue (3)
Chevrolet Volt · 2011–2015
First-generation Volts (2011-2015) can experience battery coolant heater failure. The heating coil is located inside the battery pack and can develop isolation faults, causing the vehicle to run on gasoline only when the battery is below 50 degrees F. The poor design placement requires opening the battery pack to test and replace the heater coil. A failing heater can cause a loss of high-voltage isolation (DTC P0AA6); GM's bulletin PIC5920 expects the HPCM2 isolation test resistance to read 275 kOhms or greater. This significantly reduces EV range in cold weather and can trigger fault codes.
Common Symptoms
- Vehicle runs on gasoline only in cold weather (below 50F)
- Battery will not charge or hold charge in cold temperatures
- Reduced EV range in winter months
- Engine runs constantly even with full battery charge
- Battery coolant temperature warning messages
How to Fix
Have the dealer measure the heater coil resistance (should be 80 ohms). Replacement requires removing and opening the battery pack, which is a major service operation ($1,500-$2,500). Under the Voltec warranty (8yr/100k mi), this is covered at no cost. For out-of-warranty vehicles, some EV specialty shops can perform the repair for less than dealer pricing.
Call to confirm they can assess your vehicle and perform the stated work. Search results do not confirm qualification, eligibility or coverage.
Sources for this issue (2)
Chevrolet Silverado EV · 2024–2025
When towing or driving on steep grades, the Silverado EV may display a "Propulsion Power Reduced" warning and limit motor output significantly. GM describes this as a normal response when high-voltage battery power is limited by low state of charge or battery temperature extremes; no propulsion-related trouble codes are set.
Common Symptoms
- Propulsion power reduced message
- Significant loss of power while towing
- Power limited on steep grades
- Battery temperature warnings
- Reduced range during heavy load
How to Fix
GM's guidance (Bulletin 25-NA-222) treats this as normal operation rather than a software fault: charge the battery if it is at about 20% or below to restore normal power limits; in hot weather reduce cabin cooling so the system can cool the battery and precondition the battery about 30 minutes before DC fast charging; in cold weather keep the truck plugged in after a full charge. Reduce towing speed to lower thermal load. If the issue persists, the dealer can inspect the battery cooling system for pump or valve faults.
Sources for this issue (1)
Chevrolet Bolt EV · 2017–2022
Chevrolet Bolt EV · 2017–2023
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P1E00 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P1E00 mean?
P1E00 stands for "Hybrid Powertrain Control Module Requested MIL Illumination." This manufacturer-specific code (common on GM hybrids such as the Chevrolet Volt) means a hybrid powertrain control module has detected its own fault and requested that the engine computer turn on the check engine light (MIL). In other words, P1E00 is a 'pointer' code: it tells you a separate hybrid-system DTC has been stored elsewhere and is the real reason the light is on. The engine computer sets P1E00 in response to that request. To diagnose it, the underlying hybrid or battery system code(s) must be read and addressed.
What are the most common causes of P1E00?
The most common causes of P1E00 are: An underlying hybrid system DTC stored in another module, High-voltage battery or battery management fault, Motor/generator or inverter fault, Communication/serial data issue between modules, Software needing an update, Wiring or connector fault within the hybrid system, Faulty hybrid powertrain control module (rare). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P1E00?
Repair costs vary widely depending on the root cause and vehicle.
Which vehicles are affected by P1E00?
Au7o has documented P1E00 across 3 vehicle models from 1 manufacturers: Chevrolet.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.