What is a Diagnostic OBD Scan?
A diagnostic OBD scan is often required when your vehicle’s check engine light is showing, this light will appear on your dashboard when there is a fault with your vehicle. In order to find out the fault, our technicians plug in a computer to the OBD port and then scan for codes. The OBD port location is not the same in all vehicles, for example in a Toyota Camry and Lexus RX450H the OBD port is located under the steering wheel whereas some vehicles with have this located next to the steering wheel or under the heater controls. These codes help to identify specific issues with your vehicle to help narrow down mechanical problems before conducting work, usually speeding up the guesswork and manual diagnostic time spent troubleshooting an issue with your vehicle. For hybrid vehicles, this is more important as it is not as easy to manually identify issues that you could with a traditional petrol or diesel engine. We believe that this is of high importance, as you cannot simply diagnose your vehicle by a sound it is making or how it feels to drive, so damage could be getting worse through continued use. With the nature and value of battery packs, we strongly suggest taking preventative measures rather than reactive measures to any problems you may have.
Why should you get your vehicle scanned?
Driving around on a daily basis could have a major impact on your vehicle’s mechanical state, as when the check engine light is on it points to an immediate problem. If you do not have your vehicle scanned and continue using it, the issue could be getting worse and lead to more costly repairs if neglected. The only way to turn the light off is to have the vehicle scanned and the fault codes removed, so if you are planning to sell a vehicle it is a good idea to have this done so you can reference any underlying issues to new buyers. If you are buying a vehicle with a check engine light on, it is also advised that you have the vehicle scanned before deciding whether to purchase or not, as this will help you identify underlying issues.
Fault codes that indicate possible hybrid battery issues
We will now explore some of the most commonly found fault codes that often indicate issues with your hybrid vehicle’s batteries. Any information given here is a brief guide and for a more detailed analysis and advice, we would advise you to visit our repair shop. Sometimes there can be false positives and there will be a more simple fix available, our mechanics have the expertise to diagnose these issues and apply the more simple fixes where available.
P0A80 Replace Hybrid Battery Pack
This code points to an issue with the HVBMS and is commonly found in all makes and models of hybrid vehicles, and often indicates weak cell failure in your hybrid vehicle’s battery pack. The HVBMS is like the brain when it comes to managing and regulating your battery, so it is not something we would advise you to continue using your vehicle with, as this could create further damage.
P0A7D Hybrid Battery Pack State of Charge Low
If you notice that you are starting to get decreased fuel efficiency or your hybrid vehicle’s electrical system is disabled, this is more than likely the reason why. This code is given when the PCM detects an insufficient voltage from the HVBMS that is insufficient for the conditions. Quite often, this fault code will come along with other fault codes as this issue can interlink with other issues on your vehicle. This issue may have to repeat itself on multiple occasions before the check engine light shows, so it is advised you book your vehicle in for a scan as soon as you see the light.
P0A7F Hybrid Battery Pack Deterioration
This code often means that your vehicle’s PCM (Power Control Module) has detected an excessive degree of resistance or that there is insufficient state of charge from your hybrid vehicle’s high voltage battery pack. This is generally detected by inconsistent battery temperatures and voltages. Similar to the other issues mentioned in this article, this can have a knock on effect and can cause other related issues and fault codes to show on your vehicle, so it is important that you get this scanned as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your vehicle.
P0A7E Hybrid Battery Pack Over Temperature
When this code is given, it means that your vehicle’s PCM (Power Control Module) has detected high and excessive temperatures around or near your vehicle’s battery pack - this is often above the maximum allowed limit and can result in your vehicle’s electric propulsion system being automatically deactivated. Without having your vehicle scanned, you may not know that this is the cause of your check engine light showing. We strongly suggest getting your vehicle scanned and fixed if you believe this could be an issue as it is highly likely to have bigger and more costly implications if not attended to right away.
