P0C98: Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor L Circuit Range/Performance

P0C98 is the plausibility code for sensor L: its reading is electrically valid but strays too far from the other sensors. GM's table for the 2012 Volt (12OBDG01A) runs the comparison only after more than 21,600 s with propulsion, off-board charging and thermal conditioning all off; a deviation over 25.3 °C, seen in 50 of 67 samples, counts as a Type B failure. In 19OBDG02 from 2019 the limit becomes 25.00 °C with sampling every 25 ms and the same count, and the test pauses while circuit codes for the battery sensors or a lost link to the battery controller are present. Mitsubishi does not use this code. Sensor drift or a detached sensor are the common reasons; P0C99 and P0C9A cover electrical failures.

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

Warning lamp after a long standstill
Reduced battery power

Most likely causes

Thermistor L drifted within its electrical range
Sensor L no longer in thermal contact with its cells
Genuine local temperature difference in that pack section

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
Compare the reading with other engine data while varying the engine speed.
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 P0C98 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0C98?

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 P0C98?

The most common causes are: thermistor L drifted within its electrical range; sensor L no longer in thermal contact with its cells; genuine local temperature difference in that pack section.

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.