I bought a used GMC yukon hybrid 2008 which had 100000 miles on it less than 2 months ago. The check engine light on it came on and the mechanic who looked at it told me that one cell in the hybrid battery is overheating because of which I will have to replace the whole battery costing over $5000. Has anyone else had this problem and how safe is it for me to drive this vehicle until I can get this fixed?

 

First the battery should be able to be done for about half that. Next, any time that light comes on get as complete of a reading on stored codes as you can. Another person who posts here had a bad battery cooling fan. There are air vents on the floor under the middle row seat. If they are blocked by floor mats or blankets etc, clear that area. Next since it is older and unknown, there is another metal screen under the plastic and carpet trim cover. The HV battery air inlet is on the floor on the driver's side. It can get plugged with dog hair etc and reduce flow.

As for safety, if the battery is going bad you will have undesirable engine and propulsion system issues. Revving engine and not wanting to go at all. If the battery is going bad these will get worse and that light will come on more often.

If you get codes post them. "WE" will tell you what they are.

 

GM Parts Direct part #19180442 I can put it in for you for half what he quoted.

19180442 - BATTERY K
GM PART # 19180442
CATEGORY: All
PACK QTY: 1
CORE CHARGE: $1,000.00


List Price: $2,500.00
Price: $1,802.50
You Save: $697.50 (28%)

DESCRIPTION: BATTERY K

 

Thank you...your response was helpful. So do you suggest that I continue driving it? I did find the parts online at the price that you posted but how can I go about obtaining these parts without the dealer's (Chevrolet) technician doing it for me and the price that they quoted was $5000.

 

If the battery is actually going bad, you won't get many more weeks. If I were getting it done at a GM dealer, I would contact the 800 number and attempt to get GM to meet me half way at least. I have no idea how they can take a $2500 list price part and then charge another $2500 for the 1.5 hours to put it in.

But that is if the battery is what you need. GM has a procedure in a bulletin to check it.

 

Here is the error code that I got from the dealer: POC 32

 

That code has to do with a hot battery all right. Now how did it get that way? The service scan tool can operate the HV battery cooling fan to check it.

Next there is the matter of cooling air flow obstructions.The fan operation and air flow should be looked at first.

 

Are you sure you are out of the Hybrid warranty? It is longer than the normal powertrain warranty. In California it WAS 150,000/10 years - however that has dropped to 100,000 now.

 

It is out of the hybrid warranty because the Yukon has crossed 100,000 miles :-(

 

I took it back to the dealer and he said that the fan and air flow seemed fine. It is one cell in the battery that is overheating.