Corrosion at generator wire connector - 2.4 hybrid eassist

[richardnewton]

Great video around failing hybrid generator with codes P0A3F P0A40 P0C53 P0C5D P1B03. Also, 12v battery is not charging.

Previous mechanic had replaced the generator and a related module in the trunk.

Problem was traced to corrosion at the 12-pin generator connector (located on the right side of the generator below the 2 coolant lines). Tech speculated corrosion was internal generator leak to the connector, not a failed connector letting in fresh water.

2012 Chevy Malibu eAssist (hybrid) similar to the LaCrosse & Regal.

P0A3F Drive motor position sensor circuit
P0A40 Drive motor position sensor performance
P0C53 Drive motor position sensor circuit 1 high voltage
P0C5D Drive motor position sensor circuit 2 high voltage
P1B03 Drive motor position sensor circuit tracking lost

 

[Human]

That's pretty interesting. I'm glad that hasn't happened to either my LaCrosse or my mom's. We both have 2013 hybrids. Sometimes, things like this make me miss my '68 Volkswagen that was so dead simple, there wasn't much that could go wrong.

 

[richardnewton]

I don't think it is a common failure mode. But the diagnosis is difficult, until you know where to look!

Our hybrid system has been great. The pulley and belt needed to be changed last year (GM upgraded the pulley and for age of the rubber belt.) Did you change those on your cars?

 

[Human]

I had to replace the timing set on mine a couple of years ago, and the mechanic generously threw in a new accessory drive belt at no charge. He didn't say anything about it; I just noticed the belt was new and that it was not itemized on the invoice. Mom's car, on the other hand, has had no major work done on it, but then again, it only has 14,000 miles on it. Yeah, you read that right fourteen thousand miles on a car that's twelve model years old.

 

[richardnewton]

Funny, a guy on the malibu forums just posted about a charging problem with most of these codes...

The black rectangular connector is shown in this image