With about 1200 mi on the odo, got first check engine light. OnStar ran diagnostic and came up with code P1EBF. It came on immediately upon starting, and will not clear after the usual 3 start cycles. When I disconnected the Voltec level 2, I thought I bobbled the plug a little, but I don't know if that and the code are connected. Can't find a list of error codes. Anyone point me to one, or know what P1EBF is about?

Thanks!
Morser

With about 1200 mi on the odo, got first check engine light. OnStar ran diagnostic and came up with code P1EBF. It came on immediately upon starting, and will not clear after the usual 3 start cycles. When I disconnected the Voltec level 2, I thought I bobbled the plug a little, but I don't know if that and the code are connected. Can't find a list of error codes. Anyone point me to one, or know what P1EBF is about?

Thanks!
Morser
I couldn't find that exact error code in my copy of the 2011 Volt service manual. However, other error codes beginning with P1EB had to do with the high voltage energy communications bus (communications network). Maybe WOT can say more. What did the OnStar advisor suggest? Lacking more information, I would take it to the dealer to have them check it. Maybe it is a loose cable connection?

With about 1200 mi on the odo, got first check engine light. OnStar ran diagnostic and came up with code P1EBF. It came on immediately upon starting, and will not clear after the usual 3 start cycles. When I disconnected the Voltec level 2, I thought I bobbled the plug a little, but I don't know if that and the code are connected. Can't find a list of error codes. Anyone point me to one, or know what P1EBF is about?

Thanks!
Morser
I couldn't find that exact error code in my copy of the 2011 Volt service manual. However, other error codes beginning with P1EB had to do with the high voltage energy communications bus (communications network). Maybe WOT can say more. What did the OnStar advisor suggest? Lacking more information, I would take it to the dealer to have them check it. Maybe it is a loose cable connection?Really? It should be there as it pertains to both 2011 and 12 models. However it IS part of a range of 15 DTCs that includes P1EBC thru P1EBF so it might be just "hiding" from you.

All of this range of codes actually deals with the high voltage contactor system and transistorized controls for the battery heater. I've never heard of a car with them set and have really only seen them appear (falsley) during or after certain diagnostic test routines at the battery low voltage connectors. Specifically the P1EBF is related to the electronic "Multifunction" contactor that is used both during charging AND battery conditioning (heating).

But it will take more than 3 "start cycles to clear the lamp even if the fault is no longer present. You will actually have to drive the car repeatedly, with successful charging in between for the lamp to extinguish. (again assuming it's intermittent and not currently present)
I dont know what Onstar told you, but if the lamp persists, you should probably visit your dealer.

YES, it could be something as simple as a connection issue at the low voltage control connectors on the high voltage battery. (or the OTHER end at the HPCM2) But could also be more serious.
Sorry to hear you've developed problems so early in your Volt ownership. That IS unusual.

HTH
WopOnTour

Is a service manual available for the Volt? If so, where can I get one?

My access to GM service info expires in a few days, and it is not as organized as a proper book or manual. I would like a manual that I could keep, and have access to, for as long as I own the car.

HSP

Thanks, WOT. Didn't know about the driving/recharge process to reset the light (mislead by another post somewhere that said it was just a few on/off cycles). The code surprised the OnStar tech too, after the initial rep bumped me up to him. After putting me on hold while he researched it, all he could seem to come up with was "contactors stuck". He suggested taking it to the dealer, but did not know how critical the problem was.

The car seems to operate normally in every way, and successfully recharges, so I think I will try the driving/recharge bit for a few days and see if it clears. Taking it to the dealer scares me, as mine is the first (and still maybe the only) one in the area, and I'd like to avoid being the guinea pig for their first crack at servicing one.

Thanks from another grateful WOT fan.

Morser

Is a service manual available for the Volt? If so, where can I get one?

For some reason it is not currently available although I purchased a copy in the past. I assume it will be available again soon.

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=helm&Mfg=GMC&Make=CHV&Model=VOLT&Year=&Category=1&Keyword=&Module=&selected%5Fmedia=

With about 1200 mi on the odo, got first check engine light. OnStar ran diagnostic and came up with code P1EBF. It came on immediately upon starting, and will not clear after the usual 3 start cycles. When I disconnected the Voltec level 2, I thought I bobbled the plug a little, but I don't know if that and the code are connected. Can't find a list of error codes. Anyone point me to one, or know what P1EBF is about?

Thanks!
Morser

the trouble code is for a contactor in the EV battery being stuck closed. if you havent already, it should be looked at by your dealer.

@ GSP,

The 2012 service manual was actually discussed in a previous thread. We really do not have any information on its availability, but if we hear anything new, we will be sure to let you know.

http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?10465-When-is-the-amp-Service-Manual-for-the-Volt-Going-to-Be-Availlable&highlight=service+manual

Update on P1EBF: Dealer says Volt techs want them to replace the battery heating/cooling system, and also the charging receptacle. Yikes. With only a bit over 1K miles on it, the engineer in me is very concerned about them getting the poor baby put back together as good as new. This was the first car I've ever owned where EVERYTHING was absolutely perfect on delivery. In my experience with major repairs on vehicles in the past, they never do seem quite the same as they were before. I know this probably sounds kind of prissy, but it seems for a lot of us here, our Volt is more than "just" a car... ;-)

Replacing the charging receptacle - that's the chrging plug behing the charging door near the driver's door?
I think there is not much risk at that change.

As for you, replacing the battery heating/cooling would concern me a little bit more, depending if that
means opening up the battery pack to replace components in there.

As talked in another forum, electronics tend to have some low age defaults, even dead on arrival, but once
the run in period passes, those things get pretty reliable. It seems you have a low age defect - these things
unfortunately happens.

Give a chance to GM to fix the Volt correctly, you might be even satisfied! (who knowns! ;-) )

Francois

Francois

Just got the car back from the P1EBF repair. Dealer replaced the coolant heater, charge port (water intrusion found) and coolant. No codes, but now there is a loud "gurgling" noise that pulsates about every 5 seconds. Climate settings do not affect it. Being that they replaced the coolant, is it possible that the system was not properly purged of air? Does anyone know enough about the coolant heating system to know if this will self-correct, or whether a trip back to the dealer might be advised?

Morser

After a CEL problem repair for code P1EBF, I now have a fairly loud gurgling noise that pulsates about every 5 seconds (see Error Message/Health/DTC sub-forum). I've gotten used to the various and mysterious whirrings, clickings, and thunkings that the car makes during driving and charging, but this is new since the repair. Anyone else notice this sort of noise? Thanks!

Morser

Never mind. WOT was instantly there with a reply. Thanks, WOT, I'll wait to see if it self-purges.

Just got the car back from the P1EBF repair. Dealer replaced the coolant heater, charge port (water intrusion found) and coolant. No codes, but now there is a loud "gurgling" noise that pulsates about every 5 seconds. Climate settings do not affect it. Being that they replaced the coolant, is it possible that the system was not properly purged of air? Does anyone know enough about the coolant heating system to know if this will self-correct, or whether a trip back to the dealer might be advised?

MorserEven when using the "Vac-N-Fill" special tool to drain and fill the battery cooling system, it's possible they might still have captured some air in there. The refill procedure also advises the techncian to perform an extended road test performed in a safe area (such as a large parking lot) where they can rock the car from side to side (like warming up the tires on a race-car) for a few minutes. This helps to remove trapped air from the various "parallel" channels within the battery cooling system (a single series routed cooling system is much easier to purge)
Hopefully this air will purge off after a few drive cycles, but if the gurgling noises persist you may have to take it back to them.
WOT

Thanks, WOT. As usual, many thanks. This place would be no fun without you! Happy Holidays!

Morser

please read the attached PDF

I have your answer!

More technical files......

Thanks, Kevin!