P0A33: Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit High

P0A33 is stored when the motor B temperature signal stays above its valid voltage range. With GM's NTC thermistor a voltage near 5 V reads as an impossibly cold motor: GM sets it below -41 °C in the 2011 tables (Type A) and below -40 °C on the 2013 two-mode trucks (Type B, two trips). Mitsubishi flags the rear motor of the 2023 Outlander PHEV when the voltage reaches 4.761 V or more for 0.5 s. That pattern points to an open sensor circuit, an unplugged connector or a short to a voltage source. P0A32 is the low-side fault, P0A31 the rationality check, P0A35 the over-temperature code. Because winding temperature is unknown, the system limits electric drive power and shows a warning.

Symptoms

• Hybrid warning or check engine light
• Motor B temperature shows about -40 °C regardless of conditions
• Electric drive power limited

Most likely causes

• Open sensor circuit or unplugged connector
• Spread or corroded terminals at the motor or module connector
• Thermistor open inside the motor
• Signal wire shorted to a voltage source

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. Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
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 P0A33 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0A33?

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 P0A33?

The most common causes are: open sensor circuit or unplugged connector; spread or corroded terminals at the motor or module connector; thermistor open inside the motor.

Related codes

• P0A30Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit
• P0A31Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance
• P0A32Drive Motor B Temperature Sensor Circuit Low
• P0A35Drive Motor B Over Temperature
• P0A2DDrive Motor A Temperature Sensor A Circuit High

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.