Chevrolet P0A46
Rotor, Stator, and Motor Position Sensor Stator. Refer toDrive Motor Assemble - 2nd Positionin SI. 10. Install the Drive Motor 2nd Position. Refer toDrive Motor Installation - 2nd
Quick answer
For U.S. 2016–2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, DTC P0A46 is documented in GM bulletin 19-NA-211 as “Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance.” The bulletin states that incorrect orientation of the black clip during installation of a new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor can set P0A46 and result in loss of propulsion.
This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.
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1. What does P0A46 mean?
For U.S. 2016–2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, DTC P0A46 is documented in GM bulletin 19-NA-211 as “Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance.” The bulletin states that incorrect orientation of the black clip during installation of a new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor can set P0A46 and result in loss of propulsion.
2. Technical explanation
Verified evidence identifies P0A46 in this application as a Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance DTC. Bulletin 19-NA-211 specifically warns that, when installing a new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor, the black clip must be oriented 90 degrees to the sensor body. The bulletin states that failure to orient the clip correctly could cause P0A46 to set, with loss of propulsion. The supplied diagnostic record also references the Drive Motor 2nd Position rotor, stator, and motor position sensor stator service procedures.
3. What system is affected?
Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor / Drive Motor 2nd Position components, including the rotor, stator, and motor position sensor stator.
4. How serious is this code?
Potentially serious. Verified evidence states that P0A46 may occur with loss of propulsion when the sensor is installed incorrectly. A general severity rating is not established by the supplied verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- P0A46 Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance DTC may set.
- Loss of propulsion may occur, according to bulletin 19-NA-211 when the sensor black clip is incorrectly oriented during installation.
6. Possible causes
- Verified cause: Incorrect orientation of the black clip during installation of a new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor. The bulletin specifies that the clip must be oriented 90 degrees to the sensor body.
- Other causes are not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence. However, the official bulletin states that incorrect sensor installation can result in loss of propulsion.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- If loss of propulsion occurs, stop driving when it is safe to do so and arrange professional diagnosis.
- Have a qualified Chevrolet/GM service facility inspect the vehicle, particularly if P0A46 appeared after Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor service.
- Do not attempt high-voltage drive-motor or position-sensor repair without appropriate qualified service procedures and training.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Review whether a Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor was recently replaced or installed.
- For a newly installed Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor, bulletin 19-NA-211 directs attention to the black clip orientation: it must be 90 degrees to the sensor body.
- The bulletin references Drive Motor Position Sensor Circuits if the Drive Motor 2nd Position rotor bearing has not failed.
- Further diagnostic steps are not established by the supplied verified evidence.
11. When to contact service
Contact a Chevrolet dealer or qualified GM EV service facility. Provide DTC P0A46 and reference GM/NHTSA manufacturer communication 19-NA-211.
12. What the service center may check
- Confirm whether the Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor was replaced or disturbed.
- Inspect sensor installation orientation in accordance with bulletin 19-NA-211 and applicable GM service information.
- If the Drive Motor 2nd Position rotor bearing has not failed, bulletin 19-NA-211 directs service personnel to Drive Motor Position Sensor Circuits.
- The supplied evidence references replacement of Drive Motor 2nd Position rotor, stator, and motor position sensor stator, followed by Drive Motor 2nd Position installation.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- For the installation-related condition documented in bulletin 19-NA-211, correctly orient the new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor black clip 90 degrees to the sensor body.
- The bulletin evidence also references replacement of the Drive Motor 2nd Position rotor, stator, and motor position sensor stator. Whether this repair is required for an individual vehicle is not established by the supplied evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Chevrolet Volt · 2016–2018 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- GM bulletin 19-NA-211, published September 13, 2019; NHTSA manufacturer communication PDF 10166634. It addresses Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor installation and states that incorrect black-clip orientation can set P0A46 with loss of propulsion.
- Source: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10166634-9999.pdf
16. Recall information
- No recall information was supplied or established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Applicable verified vehicle coverage: Chevrolet Volt, model years 2016–2018, U.S. region. Official source: NHTSA-hosted GM manufacturer communication 19-NA-211, published September 13, 2019.
19. Frequently asked questions
What does P0A46 mean for a 2016–2018 Chevrolet Volt?
Verified evidence identifies it as Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor Performance.
Can incorrect sensor installation trigger P0A46?
Yes. Bulletin 19-NA-211 states that failure to orient the new Drive Motor 2 Position Sensor black clip 90 degrees to the sensor body could cause P0A46 to set.
Can P0A46 cause loss of propulsion?
The bulletin states that incorrect orientation of the sensor black clip could cause P0A46 to set with loss of propulsion.
Is it safe to charge with P0A46?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
Does P0A46 apply to every Chevrolet Volt?
The supplied verified applicability evidence covers U.S. 2016–2018 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.