Bulletin No.:

Service Bulletin

Date:

19-NA-079
October, 2019

TECHNICAL
Subject:

Propulsion Power is Reduced without DTCs on Higher Mileage Vehicles

Brand:

Model:

Cadillac

ELR

Chevrolet

Volt

Opel /
Vauxhall

Ampera

Holden

Volt

Model Year:

VIN:

from

to

2014

2016

2012

from

2015

to

Engine:

Transmission:

1.4L (LUU)

4ET50
Automatic
(MKA)

Involved Region or Country

North America, Australia, Europe

Condition

Some customers may comment on a Propulsion Power is Reduced message displayed in
the Driver Information Center (DIC) that was not present under the same driving
conditions previously. They may also state the engine speed was very high at the time of
the message or that the engine compartment had a hot smell.

Cause

• When the Hybrid/EV Battery Pack becomes discharged beyond expected limits, the
system will enter a Reduced Power Mode until the Hybrid/EV Battery Pack state of
charge recovers by using aggressive engine charging.
• This may be caused by a controls issue with normal wear of the Hybrid/EV Battery
Pack. Apply the Correction below.
• This may also be caused by the driver not properly using the Mountain Mode feature
when the vehicle is climbing steep, hilly or mountainous grades. The Condition may
remain until the Hybrid/EV Battery Pack state of charge has recovered.
If the customer has experienced this condition, refer them to their > Owner Manual >
Driving and Operating > Electric Vehicle Operating Modes > Driver Selected
Operating Modes > Mountain Mode regarding proper set up and use. The new
reprogramming software will not improve this experience.
• This may also be caused by extreme cold outside ambient temperatures. The
Condition may remain until the Hybrid/EV Battery Pack temperature has recovered
and stabilized. Advise the customer this could be normal vehicle behavior in extreme
cold. Plug in the vehicle to keep the Hybrid/EV Battery Pack warm during the coldest
days of the year. The new reprogramming software will not improve this experience.

Correction

Perform the Service Procedure.

Service Procedure
The Correction for this Condition is the same Hybrid
Powertrain Control Module 2 Programming and Setup
with SPS procedure as identified in Campaign
#N172130462 - Customer Satisfaction Program Loss of Propulsion Due to Low Cell Voltage.
⇒ If #N172130462 is still “Open” in IVH, then perform
the Campaign. Refer to the Campaign bulletin for
instructions.
⇒ If #N172130462 has been “Closed” and the
customer is still experiencing the Condition, contact
the GM Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for
guidance.
Copyright 2019 General Motors LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Important: For this concern, after programming the
HPCM2, perform the Hybrid / EV Battery Pack Capacity
Learn in SI (Document ID# 2560214). This is highly
recommended to aid in the resolution of the reduced
propulsion concern. After fully charging the vehicle, it
must NOT be driven for at least 2 hours. It may be best
to leave it plugged in overnight before returning to the
customer. For best results, ask the customer to drive
until the electric range is depleted and the engine
starts. Ask the customer to let the vehicle rest for at
least 2 hours before attempting to plug-in charge. After
these rest periods are completed, the capacity is
properly learned.

Page 2

October, 2019

Bulletin No.: 19-NA-079

Parts Information
No parts are required for this repair.

Warranty Information
⇒ If #N172130462: Customer Satisfaction Program
- Loss of Propulsion Due to Low Cell Voltage for
the vehicle is currently “Open” in IVH, then use
Labor Operation 9104230 Hybrid Powertrain
Control Module 2 Programming and Setup with
SPS. Refer to the Campaign Bulletin for
instructions.
Warranty coverage code V applies to National
Coverage and E is for California emissions (RPO PCV)
for the following labor operation and is covered for 8
years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km). Reference the
Applicable Warranties section of Investigate Vehicle
History (IVH) for coverage information.
Labor
Operation
5080288*

Description

Labor Time

Diagnosis of Reduced
Propulsion Power

0.1 hr

*This is a unique Labor Operation for Bulletin use only.

Version

4

Modified

Released April 16, 2019
May 06, 2019 – Revised the Service Procedure to refer to: #N172130462: Customer
Satisfaction Program - Loss of Propulsion Due to Low Cell Voltage and updated the
Warranty Information to change the warranty statements and Bulletin Only Labor
Operation.
June 03, 2019 – Added the Cadillac ELR model, the 2014-2015 Model Years and an
Important statement in the Service Procedure.
September 30, 2019 – Added the 2016 Model Year to ELR, added the 2012 Model Year
to Volt and Ampera and modified the Important statement for capacity learning.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these
technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper
service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a
job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your
vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the
information.

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