Posted on 8/25/2023
Do I need to fix the AC on my Hybrid Car or EV? You high voltage battery, whether it's nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion based, has an internal chemistry that is vulnerable to high temperatures. Recently manufacturers have listed a measurable diagnostic range for upper limit temperatures allowed within the hybrid battery. For example a Fiat 500e has an upper limit of 130F up to 141F at which point a diagnostic trouble code will be set and the vehicle will deactivate the hybrid system as a means of protecting the health of the battery. The air conditioning system in a non-hybrid or internal combustion engine is considered an accessory and can be rendered inoperative if the vehicle detects an overheating condition. For hybrid customers the vehicle will follow a similar process and shut down the air conditioning and so the first step is to perform a thorough inspection of the vehicle which may include a cooling system pressure test and/or pursuing any diagnostic fault codes that m ... read more