P0AE7: Hybrid/EV Battery Precharge Contactor A Control Circuit High

P0AE7 is stored when the control line of precharge contactor A carries too much voltage for its commanded state, typically a short to the 12 V supply. In GM's 2016 and 2019 hybrid tables the high-side driver output reads between 5.27 and 19.7 V while the contactor is commanded off, 40 of 50 samples at 12.5 ms, Type B, two trips. GM's 2013 eAssist controller looks for a short to power on its low-side driver in the on state, 3 of 5 samples at 50 ms, Type B. A coil energized by a short may keep the precharge path closed when it should be open, so P0AE2 can follow. CARB requires circuit monitoring of such hybrid outputs. The negative and positive main contactor counterparts are P0AE0 and P0ADC.

High severity. Can I keep driving?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.

Symptoms

Vehicle may not start or become ready
MIL and hybrid warning on
Possible additional stuck-closed code P0AE2

Most likely causes

Control wire shorted to 12 V supply
Driver stage stuck on in the battery controller
Outdated battery controller calibration

What to check, in order

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

Read the codes with a hybrid-compatible scanner and write down the freeze frame data
Check the sensor's ground and make sure the signal wire is not receiving voltage from another circuit.
Make sure the battery cooling air intake is clean
Check the 12 V auxiliary battery, which can also trigger warnings
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 P0AE7 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
A: Hybrid or air and fuel
E7: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0AE7?

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 P0AE7?

The most common causes are: control wire shorted to 12 V supply; driver stage stuck on in the battery controller; outdated battery controller calibration.

Related codes

Sources

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.