DTC P0C42-1C: Hybrid/EV Battery Pack Coolant Temperature Sensor 'A' Circuit: General Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2024 Kia Sorento. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

* What is high voltage battery system?

High voltage battery system consists of high voltage battery, Battery Management System (BMS) (Battery Management Unit (BMU)+Cell Monitoring Unit (CMU)), safety plug, Power Relay Assembly (PRA).

High voltage battery: supplies and stores electrical power for acceleration and deceleration.
BMS ECU: controls the high voltage battery by monitoring the voltage, current and temperature.
PRA: PRA consists of relays, which automatically link and cut high voltage, and current sensor which monitors battery current.
Safety plug: it can cut high voltage mechanically in order to protect technicians. And, there is a safety fuse in the safety plug that prevents overcurrent.

* Role and function of battery cell

The high-voltage battery cell is the smallest unit of the high-voltage battery pack. The voltage of each cell is 3.75V.

The battery pack will attain 360V by connecting all 96 cells in series.

The BMS ECU monitors the battery system with all of the 96 high-voltage cells, 4 battery temperature sensors, a coolant inlet, a coolant outlet temperature sensor, a battery heating temperature sensor, and a rear radiator fan temperature sensor.

* Specifications

Operation voltage: 269.5 to 421.4V per pack (cell 2.75 to 4.3)

Operation temperature: -35°C (-31°F) to 60°C (140°F)

Storage temperature: -40°C (-40°F) to 70°C (158°F)

Operation current: charging (-500A) to discharge (+500A)