P0CB3: Hybrid/EV Battery Temperature Sensor O Circuit Range/Performance

P0CB3 is a plausibility code: sensor O delivers an electrically valid reading, yet it strays too far from the rest of the pack. In GM's 2012 Volt table 12OBDG01A the check waits until propulsion, plug-in charging and battery thermal conditioning have all been off for more than 21,600 s; a gap above 25.3 °C to the average in 50 of 67 samples then counts as a Type B failure. The HPC2 tables 18OBDG02 and 19OBDG02 use 25.00 °C, sample every 25 ms and pause while sensor circuit faults or a communication loss with the battery electronics are present. Mitsubishi assigns P0CB3 to module sensor [14] of the Outlander PHEV and fails it at a deviation of 13 °C or more held for 0.32 s, after a soak above 3,600 s and with the pack between −30 and 60 °C.

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 typically appearing after the car has stood for hours
Battery power limited

Most likely causes

Thermistor O drifting while its voltage stays in range
Sensor O no longer seated firmly against its module
Module section really warmer or colder, e.g. weak cell or uneven cooling

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 P0CB3 means

P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
0: Generic code: same on every make
C: Subsystem depends on the code range
B3: Specific fault in that system

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0CB3?

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 P0CB3?

The most common causes are: thermistor O drifting while its voltage stays in range; sensor O no longer seated firmly against its module; module section really warmer or colder, e.g. weak cell or uneven cooling.

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.