P0CBD reports that the coolant temperature sensor of drive motor A gives a believable voltage but an implausible temperature. GM uses it on the 2013 eAssist models, where the drive motor is the belt-driven motor generator with its own small cooling loop. Table 13OBDG05C runs the check once per key cycle after an engine-off period of more than 21,600 s: the loop sensor is compared with the mean of stator temperature, intake air temperature and transmission fluid temperature, and a difference above 25 °C in 50 of 62 samples at 100 ms is a Type B fault. The test is skipped while stator sensor codes P0A2B–P0A2D, intake air or transmission fluid sensor codes, the sensor's own P0CBE/P0CBF or CAN faults U0100/U0101 are active. A drifting sensor is the likely cause; the motor generator may be limited meanwhile.
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
- Check-engine lamp after the second faulty trip
- Reduced electric assist or regeneration
Most likely causes
- Coolant temperature sensor drifted out of its curve
- Added resistance from a corroded connector
- One of the comparison sensors (stator, intake air, transmission oil) reading wrongly
What to check, in order
Start with the simplest. You can tick off each step.
Good to know
- Repair difficulty: medium
- It can trigger limp mode.
- It affects emissions.
What each character of P0CBD means
- P: Powertrain: engine and transmission
- 0: Generic code: same on every make
- C: Subsystem depends on the code range
- BD: Specific fault in that system
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with code P0CBD?
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 P0CBD?
The most common causes are: coolant temperature sensor drifted out of its curve; added resistance from a corroded connector; one of the comparison sensors (stator, intake air, transmission oil) reading wrongly.
Related codes
- P0CBCDrive Motor A Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit
- P0CBEDrive Motor A Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Low
- P0CBFDrive Motor A Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit High
- P0CC0Drive Motor A Coolant Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent
- P0A2BDrive Motor A Temperature Sensor A Circuit Range/Performance
- P0CC2Drive Motor A Coolant Pump Control Circuit Range/Performance
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.