P0A32: Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit Low

P0A32 means the motor B temperature signal sits below its valid voltage range. GM uses an NTC thermistor, so a voltage near 0 V reads as an impossibly hot winding: the 2011 hybrid tables set it above 184 °C (Type A, one trip), the 2013 two-mode trucks above 230 °C (Type B, two trips). Mitsubishi sets it on the rear motor of the 2023 Outlander PHEV when the sensor voltage is 0.065 V or less for 0.5 s. A signal wire shorted to ground or a shorted thermistor is the typical cause. P0A33 is the opposite fault, P0A31 the plausibility check, and P0A35 a real over-temperature that GM only evaluates while no out-of-range fault is active. The system derates electric drive and warns the driver.

Symptoms

• Hybrid warning or check engine light
• Motor B temperature shows an extremely high fixed value
• Electric drive reduced or switched off

Most likely causes

• Sensor signal wire shorted to ground
• Thermistor shorted inside the motor
• Chafed harness between drive unit and motor control module
• Faulty sensor input in the motor control module

What to check, in order

Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.

1. Read the codes with a hybrid-compatible scanner and write down the freeze frame data
2. With the connector unplugged, check whether the signal wire is making contact with ground.
3. Make sure the battery cooling air intake is clean
4. Check the 12 V auxiliary battery, which can also trigger warnings
5. Leave any high-voltage measurements to a specialized repair shop

Good to know

• It can trigger limp mode.
• It affects emissions.

What each character of P0A32 means

• P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
• 0: Generic code: same on every make
• A: Hybrid or air and fuel
• 32: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0A32?

If the car still runs, drive as little as possible and go to a specialized repair shop. Do not touch the orange cables: they carry high voltage.

What causes code P0A32?

The most common causes are: sensor signal wire shorted to ground; thermistor shorted inside the motor; chafed harness between drive unit and motor control module.

Related codes

• P0A30Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit
• P0A31Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
• P0A33Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit High
• P0A35Drive Motor B Over Temperature
• P0A2CDrive Motor A Temperature Sensor A Circuit Low

Sources

• gsi.ext.gm.com: 11OBDG01 HYBRID Diagnostics
• gsi.ext.gm.com: 13OBDG06 Hybrid Diagnostics
• mitsubishitechinfo.com: N503240980000700USA

Values and procedures vary by manufacturer. If it affects brakes, steering, fuel or high voltage, see a professional. Updated: 2026-11-04. How we build these pages.