P0BD4: Drive Motor Inverter Temperature Sensor C Circuit High

P0BD4 reports a voltage from inverter temperature sensor C above its valid range. For GM's NTC sensor this is an implausibly cold inverter, typically caused by an open circuit, a lost ground or a cracked element. To avoid false alarms on a cold day GM waits until the inverter has run at least 90 s at 20 Nm or more. The 2016 Volt and a 2018 table then set it below -50 °C for 2.6 of 3.65 s, Type B, two trips; a 2019 table uses -50 °C with Type A. The 2011 Volt and 2016 ELR use below -58 °C, Type A; the 2012 and 2013 tables below -40 °C, two trips. Until the reading is valid the controller protects the inverter with substitute values and may cut motor power.

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

Malfunction indicator lamp, depending on model after two trips
Reduced electric drive power
Implausibly low inverter temperature in live data

Most likely causes

Open sensor or circuit inside the power inverter module
Loose, corroded or unplugged connector at the inverter
Lost sensor ground

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 P0BD4 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
B: Subsystem depends on the code range
D4: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0BD4?

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 P0BD4?

The most common causes are: open sensor or circuit inside the power inverter module; loose, corroded or unplugged connector at the inverter; lost sensor ground.

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.