[SimC]

Had this(no heat) happen to me today also... I will contact my VA.

 

[nine44]

2013 Volt electric heater issue FIXED!! PIC5796

I have been battling the dreaded electric heater issue on my 2013 VOLT and I am happy to report it is now fixed. The fix is service bulletin PIC5796--basically the replacement of the electric coolant heater.Reprogramming of the heater control module, did nothing to fix my problem.

If you have a 2013 and your heat (in electric mode) does not provide heat FASTER than your gas car, then you need to have this service done. Now that the fix has been performed, it heats quickly and completely--better than my gas car.

Thank you to everyone on this forum who have been communicating about this issue. It was my mentioning PIC5796 to the service adviser that got it fixed.

 

[kns]

Now that the fix has been performed, it heats quickly and completely--better than my gas car.

Glad it is finally fixed. I suspect that the electric heater now uses more energy. Have you noticed any impact on battery energy available for propulsion or on AER?

KNS

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

I have been battling the dreaded electric heater issue on my 2013 VOLT and I am happy to report it is now fixed. The fix is service bulletin PIC5796C--basically the replacement of the electric coolant heater. PIC 5796B is reprogramming of the heater control module, and this did nothing to fix my problem.

If you have a 2013 and your heat (in electric mode) does not provide heat FASTER than your gas car, then you need to have this service done. Now that the fix has been performed, it heats quickly and completely--better than my gas car.

Thank you to everyone on this forum who have been communicating about this issue. It was my mentioning PIC5796C to the service adviser that got it fixed.

Good Morning Nine44,

Glad to hear the heat is resolved for you! PIC5796C is only a software calibration for the K33 HVAC control module. Your dealership must have performed the update as well deemed the replacement necessary of the HCCM (heating & cooling control module)

-Ian Chevrolet EV Customer Service

 

[Fulgerite]

If you have a 2013 and your heat (in electric mode) does not provide heat FASTER than your gas car, then you need to have this service done. Now that the fix has been performed, it heats quickly and completely--better than my gas car.

Thank you to everyone on this forum who have been communicating about this issue. It was my mentioning PIC5796C to the service adviser that got it fixed.

I am glad to hear that it is POSSIBLE to fix this issue. I was beginning to wonder.

 

[ClarksonCote]

PIC5976C is just an update to the B, still software related. I am told though that a new bulletin may come out soon addressing the heater module issues from a batch of those units.

Glad your issue is fixed! Mine was fixed a couple weeks ago replacing the same module, as the SW update did not do the trick, and I'm very pleased.

 

[BAZINGA]

My 2013 built in Feb 2013 is not afflicted with this bug. I still wonder what the VIN range is for this anomaly? Any one have a guess?

 

[crowltom]

OK Can we find out what the "C" is software or a module????
My Cyber Gray Volt was build in December 2012 and has this problem

 

[ClarksonCote]

OK Can we find out what the "C" is software or a module????
My Cyber Gray Volt was build in December 2012 and has this problem

It's simply a new revision to the SW module update bulletin, as Ian said above. I've had this confirmed by GM and my tech, independently.

There's supposed to be a bulletin on the way though. Hopefully it's not rumor.

As for VINs affected, the problem is more annoying than that I think... The manufacturer of the module had yield issues, so it's related to all modules between two build dates. However, not all modules within those build dates will fail, some (many?) will work just fine.

 

[somms]

OK Can we find out what the "C" is software or a module????
My Cyber Gray Volt was build in December 2012 and has this problem

As PIC5796C states as shown in the above, this software calibration "only applies to the vehicle if the concern is intermittent." Otherwise, the Volt Tech would just have to follow normal service instruction diagnosis in troubleshooting the lack of heat.

 

[css28]

My 2013 built in Feb 2013 is not afflicted with this bug. I still wonder what the VIN range is for this anomaly? Any one have a guess?

Your vehicle is probably within the range but isn't afflicted. I have an April 2013 build that was afflicted and one of the first fixed 4 weeks ago.
As Clarkson said, you're probably not going to see 100% failures. Be happy!

 

[STEPHEN HASKILL]

Same problem with my 2013. Heat works if you switch the air recirculation from default to auto setting. Just in passing, since the VOLT is connected, why no alerts about these things? I have had phone calls telling me my warranty was expiring, not, so why not come in for a software update?

 

[SimiVolt]

I have a 2013. It was 50 degrees the other night and I set the temp to 72 and got no heat. I even tried 80 and no heat. On the Climate screen, do I have to manually turn on the Heat Status Indicator? I was in full EV mode and tried to get heat in both Fan mode and Eco/Auto mode. Is this the problem that is described in this thread?

Thanks
Dave

 

[michaellax]

Now that Los Angeles is getting a blast of winter's air, I think my 2013 Volt leased in September is also exhibiting these same symptoms as described by SimiVolt; unless I am missing some "on" toggle somewhere!

Maybe Simi and I can meet over at a Chevy dealer on Monday and save some time getting this fixed together? I am wiling to drive about 45 miles! hahahahha

 

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

I have a 2013. It was 50 degrees the other night and I set the temp to 72 and got no heat. I even tried 80 and no heat. On the Climate screen, do I have to manually turn on the Heat Status Indicator? I was in full EV mode and tried to get heat in both Fan mode and Eco/Auto mode. Is this the problem that is described in this thread?

Thanks
Dave

Where were you directing heat? As I mentioned on my "ownership" thread we seem to get no heat when directed to feet, but it'll happily blast warm air in our faces, which suggests something like a door actuator problem.

 

[michaellax]

Where do you get that choice? Out with the manual for me...

I get no heat from the dashboard vents, which is the only place I know how to control at this point.

 

[WopOnTour]

I have been battling the dreaded electric heater issue on my 2013 VOLT and I am happy to report it is now fixed. The fix is service bulletin PIC5796C--basically the replacement of the electric coolant heater. PIC 5796B is reprogramming of the heater control module, and this did nothing to fix my problem.

If you have a 2013 and your heat (in electric mode) does not provide heat FASTER than your gas car, then you need to have this service done. Now that the fix has been performed, it heats quickly and completely--better than my gas car.

Thank you to everyone on this forum who have been communicating about this issue. It was my mentioning PIC5796C to the service adviser that got it fixed.

The "C" is essentially meaningless here. All it means was the bulletin was revised for some reason, and in this case it was revised to add a warranty labor operation code for the dealer to get paid. The software being installed hasn't changed since the original release that initiated the bulletin and applies if you have ben INTERMITTENTLY have been without heat. For more consistent failure behavior, other diagnosis will be required until a root cause has been determined. (What I suspect has happened in this case)

In fact it is often better NOT to even mention the revision suffix when talking to a dealer with respect to bulletin numbers as it may have been revised and a search by the dealer my not find it.
Suggest you just stick to PIC5796 (and "skip" the A,B,C,) when discussing it with your dealer.

WOT

 

[SteveC5088]

> Suggest you just stick to PIC5706 when discussing it.

Did you mean PIC5796?


MOD EDIT: Yup! Thanks!!

 

[SimiVolt]

I was getting cool air at my feet. Nothing from any other vent.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Svc]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to mention a key point on PIC5796C this Only applies to the 2013 Model Year and if it was built before March 11, 2013.

As for the concerns with the Coolant Heater Control Module, this is being looked into.

-Ian Chevrolet EV Customer Service