[mvanzanten]

Ok, maybe I am jumping to conclusions, but here is what happened. I own a 2013 Volt with 52,000 miles. I am charging on a Clipper Creek Level 2 HSC-40. Three weeks ago I used my remote to do a remote start, and the remote start begins normally. After about 15 minutes, I tried to do a second remote start and it failed to start, and the charge indicator light turned amber. I went out to the car, got in and the screen said "Not Able to Charge". I tried to start the car, but the initializing screen took about 20 seconds to finish. When it finally finished, I had a check engine light and the battery indicator and the fuel indicator were greyed out.

The car would not move. I tried to shut down the car, but it would not shut down until I took my foot off the brake. I pushed the OnStar button and they ran a diagnostic and gave me a code of P0D5E. I disconnected the 12 volt battery in an attempt to "reset" the computer, but it was futile. I called OnStar and had it towed to a dealer (not my preferred dealer because my dealer was so busy they could not see it for a week). The dealer took 2 days to diagnose that the on board charger had died. It was replaced under warranty and I had my car back one week later.

Monday I used my remote to do a remote start, and the remote start begins normally. After about 15 minutes, I tried to do a second remote start and it failed to start again. I thought, oh crap, here it goes again. And sure enough I had the exact same faults and OnStar told me the exact same code. My Volt is now at my preferred dealer to be repaired.

If it is, in fact, the onboard charger that has died, I hope they find something else that might have caused it.

Has anyone heard of anything like this before?

 

[somms]

I would be looking at possibly a failing 12V AGM with those symptoms IMHO...

 

[DonC]

The short answer is "no" but I can see why you'd think the remote start caused the problem. Let us know what they find.

 

[llninja]

I would be looking at possibly a failing 12V AGM with those symptoms IMHO...

Agreed, if this is your original 12V battery it's about time and an easy thing to try. Also check that all the connections to the battery are tight.

 

[mvanzanten]

My service manager called me today to tell me they found the problem (after 3 days). He said the "battery disconnect" had gone bad. Luckily, it is covered under the Voltec warranty.

Anyone here know what the battery disconnect is? Any other reports of failure?

 

[Rampage_Rick]

Only a couple instance of the P0D5E code on the forum, so relatively rare. Here's the technical explanation:

DTC P0D5E: Charger Bus Discharge Too Long

Circuit/System Description
The battery energy control module will diagnose its own systems and determine when a fault condition is present. Diagnostics and system status is communicated from the battery energy control module to the hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 through serial data. The hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 is the host controller for diagnostic trouble code (DTC) information.
The hybrid/EV battery contains 5 high-voltage contactors and 2 transistors. The high-voltage contactors allow the high-voltage DC batteries to be connected to the vehicle or safely contain the high-voltage DC within the hybrid/EV battery assembly. The 5 high-voltage contactors are a main positive high-voltage contactor, main negative high-voltage contactor, charge positive high-voltage contactor, charge negative high-voltage contactor and multi-function high-voltage contactor. The 2 transistors are the precharge transistor and heater transistor. These contactors/transistors close and open in sequence and are controlled by the hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2. The hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 supplies voltage to the control circuit for the high-voltage contactors/transistors. Earth is provided through the case earth.

Conditions for Running the DTC
• The charger contactors are commanded open.
• Runs once per charger contacts discharge event.
• None of the following DTCs are set: P0D4E or P0D4F.
OR
• No confirmed charger bus discharge test pass or fail received by the hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 from the battery charger control module.
• This test runs every 10 seconds after charger discharge event if no confirmed charger bus discharge result is received by the hybrid/EV powertrain control module 2 from the battery charger control module.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

• High-voltage bus does not discharge to below 60 V within 1.5 seconds of the charger contactors being commanded open.
OR
• With the charger contactors commanded open, current flowing to battery is greater than 2.5 A with the heater transistor enabled.

 

[mvanzanten]

I got my Volt back today after two weeks at the dealer. It took 5 days for the part to arrive. Here is what my invoice says:
"Scanned found code P0D5Eoo set as current in HPCM2. Unable to clear DTC (High Voltage Reset). Replaced BDU/Drive Motor battery junction Block per TAC. Performed EV cooling system purge and cleared DTC. Road tested vehicle verified charger operation."

 

[NRA Life Member]

I got my Volt back today after two weeks at the dealer. It took 5 days for the part to arrive. Here is what my invoice says:
"Scanned found code P0D5Eoo set as current in HPCM2. Unable to clear DTC (High Voltage Reset). Replaced BDU/Drive Motor battery junction Block per TAC. Performed EV cooling system purge and cleared DTC. Road tested vehicle verified charger operation."

I realize this is an old thread but this is exactly happening to my 2012 right now. Any idea how expensive this fix is if you're out of the Voltec Warranty? I'm at 173,905 miles so I'm way out of warranty.

 

[nmdlehman]

Agreed, if this is your original 12V battery it's about time and an easy thing to try. Also check that all the connections to the battery are tight.

Always check the easy stuff first, could be a simple ground wire. It's a GM thing lol