Faulty inverter temperature sensor E itself, such as an internal short, open winding, or degraded thermistor element; Damaged or chafed wiring harness between the sensor and the inverter control module, often from heat, vibration, or rodent damage; Corroded or loose electrical connector pins at the sensor or controller, causing intermittent high resistance; Coolant flow problems or air pockets in the inverter cooling circuit that cause the sensor to read outside its expected range; Failed inverter control module or internal signal conditioning circuit that misinterprets the sensor voltage; Software calibration issue in the inverter controller that sets an overly tight plausibility threshold; Extreme ambient temperatures or a recently replaced inverter without proper sensor adaptation

DTC codes / P0Bxx · Hybrid propulsion / P0BDC

P0BDCDrive Motor Inverter Temperature Sensor E Circuit Range/Performance

P0BDC indicates that the drive motor inverter temperature sensor E circuit is reporting a range or performance fault, meaning the voltage signal from that sensor is outside the expected window for the current operating conditions. The inverter controller compares the sensor's output against plausible limits and sets this code when the signal is erratic, stuck, or implausible rather than completely open or shorted.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyProfessional

AreaHybrid propulsion

Symptoms you may notice

Illumination of the check engine light or service vehicle soon message, often with no other noticeable symptoms
Reduced power output or limp-home mode as the inverter limits current to protect itself
Intermittent loss of drive or hesitation under acceleration if the sensor signal drops out briefly
Overheating warning or shutdown if the inverter misreads temperature and fails to activate cooling
Poor energy efficiency or reduced electric range on plug-in and hybrid vehicles
In rare cases, the vehicle may refuse to start or shift into gear when the fault is active

Common causes, most likely first

Faulty inverter temperature sensor E itself, such as an internal short, open winding, or degraded thermistor element
Damaged or chafed wiring harness between the sensor and the inverter control module, often from heat, vibration, or rodent damage
Corroded or loose electrical connector pins at the sensor or controller, causing intermittent high resistance
Coolant flow problems or air pockets in the inverter cooling circuit that cause the sensor to read outside its expected range
Failed inverter control module or internal signal conditioning circuit that misinterprets the sensor voltage
Software calibration issue in the inverter controller that sets an overly tight plausibility threshold
Extreme ambient temperatures or a recently replaced inverter without proper sensor adaptation

How to diagnose and fix it

Use a scan tool to read the freeze-frame data and confirm the sensor E voltage is outside the normal range at the reported temperature
Visually inspect the sensor connector and harness for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins, and repair any damage found
Measure the sensor resistance with a multimeter and compare it to the manufacturer's temperature-resistance chart for the current coolant temperature
Back-probe the sensor signal wire at the inverter controller and check for a stable voltage that changes with temperature
Check the inverter cooling system for proper coolant level, flow, and bleed procedure, and correct any air pockets
If the sensor and wiring test good, substitute a known-good sensor or use a signal simulator to verify the controller responds correctly
Replacing the inverter temperature sensor or the inverter assembly only after all electrical and cooling checks have passed

What the inverter temperature sensor E really monitors

This code often appears after a coolant service or inverter replacement because trapped air causes the sensor to read a temperature spike that never actually occurred.
A poor ground connection at the inverter housing can shift the sensor reference voltage and set a range code without any sensor fault at all.
Technicians sometimes replace the inverter assembly when the real problem is a $20 sensor or a chafed wire behind the connector, so always perform resistance and voltage-drop tests first.
The sensor E circuit may share a reference voltage with other temperature sensors, so a fault in one sensor can pull down the shared line and set multiple related codes.
On some vehicles, this code can be set by a low 12-volt battery or charging system issue that causes the controller to boot with an unstable reference voltage.

Can I keep driving with P0BDC?

You can usually drive the vehicle short distances at reduced power to reach a repair shop, but avoid heavy acceleration, sustained high speeds, and towing until the fault is repaired. If the vehicle enters limp mode or shows an overheating warning, stop driving and have it towed to prevent inverter damage.

Tools that help

Tools we recommend are in the Auto Veteran shop on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.