P0E48: Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Voltage Sense E Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

P0E48 marks pack voltage measurement E as unsteady: the signal jumps, drops out for fractions of a second or changes faster than a battery voltage can, and then returns to normal. Because the fault comes and goes, it is often found only as a stored code after a brief warning. No manufacturer documents P0E48 publicly, and GM's published hybrid tables, for example those of the 2013 two-mode trucks, test pack voltage only for low, high and rationality faults on channel A. CARB requires circuit monitoring of battery voltage sensors in the energy storage system. Steady faults of the same channel are P0E44 to P0E47; channel F uses P0E4D for this fault type. Loose or corroded sense terminals and chafed leads that react to vibration or heat are the usual suspects.

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 light that comes and goes
Brief losses of electric power, often on rough roads
Stored code without a current fault

Most likely causes

Loose, pushed-back or corroded terminal on the channel E sense lead
Chafed sense lead that shorts briefly under vibration
Intermittent fault in the battery controller input

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
Gently move the wiring with the engine running and watch whether the reading changes.
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 P0E48 means

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

Frequently asked questions

Can I keep driving with code P0E48?

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 P0E48?

The most common causes are: loose, pushed-back or corroded terminal on the channel E sense lead; chafed sense lead that shorts briefly under vibration; intermittent fault in the battery controller input.

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.