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DTC codes / P0Exx · Hybrid propulsion / P0E98

P0E98Drive Motor B Inverter Voltage Sensor B Circuit Intermittent/Erratic

P0E98 indicates that the inverter for drive motor B has detected an intermittent or erratic signal from its voltage sensor B circuit. The computer compares expected voltage readings with actual sensor output and flags this code when the signal drops out, spikes, or becomes inconsistent beyond a calibrated threshold.

SystemPowertrain
Code typeGeneric (all makes)
SeverityHigh
Fix difficultyProfessional
AreaHybrid propulsion

Symptoms you may notice

  • Illumination of the hybrid or electric vehicle system warning light, often accompanied by a reduced power message.
  • Intermittent loss of propulsion or a sudden drop in power while driving, sometimes resetting after a key cycle.
  • The vehicle may enter a fail-safe mode that limits speed or disables the drive motor entirely.
  • Audible relay clicking or inverter whine that changes pitch unexpectedly during acceleration.
  • Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the intermittent fault has not yet caused a hard failure.

Common causes, most likely first

  1. A loose, corroded, or damaged connector at the inverter voltage sensor B or its harness.
  2. Chafed or intermittently shorted wiring in the sensor B circuit, often near a heat source or vibration point.
  3. A failing voltage sensor B inside the inverter assembly, producing erratic output as it warms up.
  4. Internal inverter circuit board faults, such as cracked solder joints or failing isolation components, that disrupt sensor signal processing.
  5. Electrical interference from degraded high-voltage cable shielding or a poor chassis ground connection.
  6. Low or unstable 12-volt auxiliary battery voltage causing the inverter control module to reset intermittently.

How to diagnose and fix it

  1. Perform a visual inspection of the inverter harness and connector for sensor B, looking for corrosion, pushed pins, or chafed insulation.
  2. Check the 12-volt battery condition and charging system, as low voltage can cause intermittent module resets and false sensor codes.
  3. Backprobe the sensor B signal circuit at the inverter connector and wiggle the harness while watching a multimeter or scan tool live data for erratic voltage changes.
  4. Measure resistance end-to-end on the sensor B circuit and compare with the manufacturer's specification to rule out high resistance or open circuits.
  5. If the harness and connectors pass inspection, substitute a known-good sensor or inverter assembly only after confirming the fault follows the component.
  6. Clear the code and perform a road test with the scan tool recording live data to verify the intermittent signal is resolved before returning the vehicle.

Intermittent codes hide in plain sight

  • A voltage sensor B circuit can test perfectly on a cold vehicle and only act up after the inverter reaches operating temperature, so a stationary test often misses the fault.
  • Many technicians replace the entire inverter when the real problem is a single chafed wire behind the connector, so always wiggle-test the harness under load before condemning expensive parts.
  • This code can be set by a weak 12-volt battery because the inverter control module may reset during cranking and log a false erratic signal on the voltage sensor circuit.
  • High-voltage cable shielding that has degraded can induce electrical noise into the low-voltage sensor wiring, mimicking a failing sensor without any actual sensor fault.
  • The code does not always mean the sensor itself is bad; a poor chassis ground or a loose inverter mounting bolt can create a voltage offset that the sensor faithfully reports as erratic.

Can I keep driving with P0E98?

Do not continue driving if the vehicle has entered a reduced-power mode or if the warning light is accompanied by a loss of propulsion, because an intermittent inverter fault can escalate to a sudden shutdown. If the only symptom is the warning light and the vehicle drives normally, limit driving to a short trip to a qualified repair facility and avoid heavy acceleration or high-load conditions.

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.

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