[Detroit80]

2013 Volt, bought it used from a Certified Pre Owned dealer back in March of this year....have regretted it ever since.

Today's issue - Worked fine last time I drove it 4 days ago, and fine 2 days ago when I moved it from one side of the driveway to the other side. No hints of any problems. Got in it this morning, noticed the spinning orb thing that says "Initializing, wait to shift" hung around a LOT longer that usual, and when the main dash screen finally came up, I had no propulsion at all, compass says "CAL", CEL on, also shows an empty HV battery. HV battery is at least close to full, showing 34 miles of range if I push start without putting my foot on the brake (it was also on the charger up until I moved it to the other side of the driveway). Gas tank is 3/4 full.

I put a meter on the 12V battery - 12.5 volts. I tried putting my jump box on the underhood terminals anyways, still won't start into a ready mode.

Disconnected the 12v battery for a minute, no change.

Attempted to enter/exit service mode, no change.

Scanned for codes using Torque Pro on Android, got a number that I couldn't quickly decipher online, then cleared them. Turned the car off and back on again, same deal - spinning orb, not going to ready mode. Scanned codes again, and have these -

Pending Faults:
P1B04
P1B0E
P1E4B

Historic Faults:
B2AAA
P0A45
P1B04
P1E4B

I have an appointment to have it hauled into the dealer tomorrow morning, and I'm sitting here fearful that I'm going to end up with some massive repair bill for whatever that isn't going to covered under warranty. Any insight on what I might be dealing with?

 

[DMC5180]

Stack of DTCs, "Initializing, wait to shift", no go...

Your still inside the CPO b2b Warranty and should also be in the Voltec system warranty. Don’t sweat it. Just report what the fix was.

The pending Fault codes point to a MG2 position sensor fault.

The third fault code will disable the propulsion system.

 

[TheBlueFlash]

I would let someone put a 12v battery tester on it and check for bad internals. I think a bad 12v can still register good voltage but have a bad cell or two inside. Those electronic glitches you mention really sound like a bad 12v.

 

[mpmoore1979]

Most likely the 12 volt battery and unlikely not covered under the CPO warranty.

 

[DMC5180]

Most likely the 12 volt battery and unlikely not covered under the CPO warranty.

CPO warranty is bumper to bumper. The 12v would be covered. However, i really don’t believe that is the problem in this case.

The Drive motor 2 shows a position sensor fault. Because the sensor is not communicating with system computer. The computer disabled the propulsion system.

 

[Detroit80]

Turned out it was rodent related...chewed through the harness going to the drive motor position sensor. Not covered under warranty (obviously, lol), $500 repair estimate. I instead elected to sell the car to the dealer. They're working on the paperwork now. This car has been nothing but disappointment and aggravation for me, and I figure given that I live way out in a rural area, I could just as easily be back at the dealer next week or next month with a similar issue and more non warranty repair bills that will quickly add up to a number beyond the loss I'm taking on selling it to the dealer now.

I did some research last night, and it seems that in an attempt to make cars more environmentally friendly, the wiring insulation, and many plastic parts, are now made with a vegetable oil base, and it acts as an attractant to the critters. It's not just a GM thing either...apparently this has been an issue with many car manufacturers, world wide. Toyota even got a class action lawsuit filed against them because of the soy based wiring insulation they used on cars for a few years. I have 8 other vehicles here on the ranch, 7 of which live outside full time, and I've never had a problem with any of them. But the newest one of the bunch is a 1990 Ford F-350, or the 1998 Sears tractor, so they wouldn't have the environmentally "friendly" stuff in them. At this point, I'm afraid to even bring the Volt home again.

 

[DMC5180]

Wow, that’s just weird. I’ve heard about the wire insulation issue before. But I thought I had heard that the insulation gets treated with something now to act as a deterrent, repellent. Sounds like you need a couple good mousers.

Sorry, to hear you are so disillusioned be your experience.

I have had My 2013 for 18 months With No significant issues and one complimentary oil change.

I did have to replace my center display screen, but that was somewhat my fault, not a system failure per se. I bought a used one off Ebay Cheap.

 

[Upper5Percent]

Turned out it was rodent related...chewed through the harness going to the drive motor position sensor. Not covered under warranty (obviously, lol), $500 repair estimate. I instead elected to sell the car to the dealer. They're working on the paperwork now. This car has been nothing but disappointment and aggravation for me, and I figure given that I live way out in a rural area, I could just as easily be back at the dealer next week or next month with a similar issue and more non warranty repair bills that will quickly add up to a number beyond the loss I'm taking on selling it to the dealer now.

I did some research last night, and it seems that in an attempt to make cars more environmentally friendly, the wiring insulation, and many plastic parts, are now made with a vegetable oil base, and it acts as an attractant to the critters. It's not just a GM thing either...apparently this has been an issue with many car manufacturers, world wide. Toyota even got a class action lawsuit filed against them because of the soy based wiring insulation they used on cars for a few years. I have 8 other vehicles here on the ranch, 7 of which live outside full time, and I've never had a problem with any of them. But the newest one of the bunch is a 1990 Ford F-350, or the 1998 Sears tractor, so they wouldn't have the environmentally "friendly" stuff in them. At this point, I'm afraid to even bring the Volt home again.

The proper solution is to have a good supply of barn and indoor/outdoor cats...they eliminate rodent problems around barns, out buildings and vehicles...
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