Chevrolet P1E39
• There are no additional DTCs stored in the HPCM. There will be a P0
Quick answer
For U.S. 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, P1E39 is referenced in GM bulletin 16-NA-400. The supplied evidence is truncated and does not establish a complete DTC definition, driving/charging status, or a specific repair.
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 P1E39 mean?
For U.S. 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt vehicles, P1E39 is referenced in GM bulletin 16-NA-400. The supplied evidence is truncated and does not establish a complete DTC definition, driving/charging status, or a specific repair.
2. Technical explanation
NHTSA-hosted GM manufacturer communication 16-NA-400, published December 8, 2016, addresses P1E39 and directs technicians to review Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) freeze-frame information and apply the bulletin conditions. The evidence states that if the Power Inverter Module already has the latest calibration, or if all bulletin conditions are not met, normal SI diagnostics for P1E39 should be performed. If the customer has experienced more than one occurrence, normal SI diagnostics should be performed because Power Inverter Module replacement may be needed. The supplied excerpt does not provide the complete P1E39 description or all required conditions.
3. What system is affected?
The bulletin references the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module (HPCM) and the Power Inverter Module. A broader system assignment is not yet established by verified evidence.
4. How serious is this code?
Unknown. The supplied verified evidence does not assign a severity level.
5. Symptoms you may notice
- A Malfunction Indicator Lamp condition is mentioned in the supplied bulletin excerpt in connection with P3260, not explicitly as a confirmed symptom of P1E39.
- Additional P1E39-specific symptoms are not yet established by verified evidence.
6. Possible causes
- The supplied evidence does not establish a root cause for P1E39.
- The bulletin indicates that Power Inverter Module calibration status is relevant to its diagnostic procedure.
- For more than one occurrence, the bulletin states that Power Inverter Module replacement may be needed; this does not establish the module as the confirmed cause.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Arrange diagnosis by a qualified Chevrolet/GM service provider.
- Record whether the warning recurs and provide that history to the service provider.
- Do not attempt high-voltage system or Power Inverter Module repair yourself.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- A qualified technician should review freeze-frame information in the Hybrid Powertrain Control Module, as directed by GM bulletin 16-NA-400.
- The bulletin directs use of normal GM SI diagnostics for P1E39 when the Power Inverter Module has the latest calibration or when all bulletin conditions are not met.
- The complete bulletin conditions are not present in the supplied evidence.
11. When to contact service
Service evaluation is appropriate because the official bulletin calls for GM SI diagnostics for P1E39 and notes that Power Inverter Module replacement may be needed after more than one occurrence.
12. What the service center may check
- Review HPCM freeze-frame information.
- Check Power Inverter Module calibration status.
- Perform normal GM SI diagnostics for P1E39 when directed by bulletin 16-NA-400.
- Consider whether P1E39 has occurred more than once; the bulletin states that Power Inverter Module replacement may be needed in that situation.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Program and set up the Power Inverter Module if the bulletin conditions support that action; the supplied excerpt refers technicians to GM SI procedures.
- If P1E39 has occurred more than once, GM bulletin 16-NA-400 states that Power Inverter Module replacement may be needed following normal SI diagnostics.
- A confirmed repair outcome is not yet established by verified evidence.
14. Affected vehicles
- Chevrolet Volt · 2016–2017 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- GM bulletin 16-NA-400, NHTSA Manufacturer Communication PDF 10111768, published December 8, 2016. Applicable evidence supplied for U.S. 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt vehicles. It references P1E39, HPCM freeze-frame review, Power Inverter Module programming/setup, normal SI diagnostics, and possible inverter replacement after more than one occurrence.
16. Recall information
- No recall information was supplied or established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Official source: NHTSA-hosted GM Manufacturer Communication 16-NA-400 (PDF 10111768): https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10111768-9999.pdf
19. Frequently asked questions
What vehicle applicability is verified for this information?
The supplied applicability evidence identifies U.S. 2016–2017 Chevrolet Volt vehicles.
Does P1E39 mean the Power Inverter Module must be replaced?
No. The bulletin says to proceed with normal SI diagnostics for P1E39 and states that replacement may be needed if the customer has experienced more than one occurrence. It does not establish replacement as required in every case.
Can I keep driving or charging?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
Is there a complete verified definition for P1E39 in the supplied information?
No. The supplied canonical title and meaning are truncated, and the bulletin excerpt does not provide a complete P1E39 definition.