P0B92 — Hybrid Battery Voltage Sense "R" Circuit Low

OBD2 code P0B92 flags a problem with the sensor and actuator circuits (hybrid battery voltage sense "R" circuit low). The car is usually drivable while you plan the repair. Common culprits: corroded, loose or damaged connector, poor ground connection, blown fuse feeding the circuit.

powertrain (engine/transmission)

Is it safe to drive?

Short-term driving is OK In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

How to diagnose with an OBD scanner

Read the code and freeze frame Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm P0B92 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
Check for companion codes and TSBs Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many P0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
Inspect wiring and connectors Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the hybrid battery voltage sense "R" for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
Subsystem check Check for supply voltage at the hybrid battery voltage sense "R" connector first; then measure resistance from the signal wire to ground — near-zero ohms confirms a short to ground in the harness.
Subsystem check Measure reference voltage, ground and signal continuity at the component connector.
Subsystem check Wiggle-test the harness while watching the signal in live data — dropouts reveal broken wires.
Verify the repair Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm P0B92 does not return.

Approximate repair cost

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for P0B92 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates): Control module repair: $300–$1,000; Repair wiring or connectors: $80–$250; Replace the faulty sensor or actuator: $150–$500. Overall, fixing P0B92 usually costs between $80 and $1,000. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Common questions

What are the symptoms of P0B92?

Drivers most often notice: increased fuel consumption in some cases, the affected system operates intermittently or not at all, possible limp mode depending on the affected component, Check Engine Light on.

How do I diagnose P0B92 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm P0B92, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the hybrid battery voltage sense "R", and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Will P0B92 clear itself?

Sometimes P0B92 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

Is it safe to drive with P0B92?

In most cases the car remains drivable, possibly with reduced performance or a disabled auxiliary system. If symptoms include stalling, no-start or brake/steering warnings, treat it as urgent.

What is the most common cause of P0B92?

The most common causes are: corroded, loose or damaged connector, poor ground connection, blown fuse feeding the circuit.

When your scan tool pulls code P0B92, the powertrain control module is reporting that the hybrid battery voltage sense "R" circuit is reading abnormally low — essentially sitting near ground potential when it should be at a higher operating voltage. This circuit belongs to the family of sensor and actuator circuits monitored under the OBD2 standard, and its job is to feed the ECU real-time voltage data from the hybrid battery pack. Without a proper signal from this sense circuit, the control module cannot accurately calculate state-of-charge, charging demands, or discharge rates for the high-voltage battery system.

The fault triggers when voltage on the sense "R" circuit drops below the manufacturer's specified minimum threshold and stays there long enough to meet the monitoring criteria. This is not a one-time electrical hiccup — the module requires the condition to repeat under defined driving or idle conditions before it lights up the check engine lamp. The freeze frame data stored alongside P0B92 captures engine load, RPM, coolant temperature, and vehicle speed at the exact moment the fault occurred, giving you a precise starting point for your diagnosis. Reproducing those exact conditions on a test drive is the only way to reliably confirm the failure.

From a circuit standpoint, a low reading points to a few classic failure modes: a direct short to chassis ground somewhere in the wiring harness, a failed sense component that is dragging the signal down internally, an interruption in the supply voltage that the circuit depends on, or a corroded connector that is introducing enough resistance to collapse the signal. Pinpointing which one applies to your vehicle requires methodical testing rather than guesswork.

Symptoms of P0B92

The check engine light illuminates on the instrument cluster
Noticeable increase in fuel consumption during normal driving
The hybrid system operates intermittently or fails to engage entirely
The vehicle may enter reduced-power limp mode depending on which component is affected
In some cases, the auxiliary systems tied to the hybrid battery may shut down temporarily

Common Causes (Most Likely First)

Signal wire chafed through and shorted to ground somewhere in the harness
The hybrid battery voltage sense "R" sensor or its internal electronics have failed
Blown fuse protecting the sense circuit — often caused by a downstream short
Missing or low supply voltage reaching the sense circuit connector
Poor ground connection at the battery pack or control module
Open circuit or broken wire somewhere in the signal path
Connector pins damaged, corroded, or not fully seated
Control module output driver itself has developed a fault

How to Diagnose P0B92

Plug in a professional-grade OBD2 scanner, confirm P0B92 is present in the memory, and record all freeze frame data. This snapshot tells you the engine conditions — load, temperature, speed — when the module first saw the fault.
Scan for any other trouble codes stored at the same time. Related codes in the same circuit family often point directly to the root cause. Also look up any factory TSBs (technical service bulletins) for your specific make and model — the manufacturer may have issued a known fix or software update for this exact code.
Perform a hands-on visual inspection of the wiring harness and connectors associated with the hybrid battery voltage sense "R". Look for worn insulation, rubbing against frame rails or sharp edges, moisture intrusion, and any pins that are bent or pushed out of position.
At the sense circuit connector, check for proper supply voltage first. Then measure resistance from the signal wire to chassis ground — a reading close to zero ohms confirms a hard short to ground in the harness.
Verify reference voltage, ground integrity, and signal continuity directly at the sensor or actuator connector itself. Compare your readings to the manufacturer's specifications.
With the scanner displaying live data, gently wiggle the harness and connectors while monitoring the voltage reading. Any dropouts or sudden changes indicate a broken wire or loose connection hidden under the insulation.
Clear P0B92 from memory, then complete a full drive cycle that recreates the conditions captured in the freeze frame. If the code returns, the fault is confirmed and you can proceed with targeted repairs.

Repair Options and Costs

If you are handy with electrical work and can pinpoint the problem, DIY repair is feasible for wiring and connector issues. Otherwise, expect to pay a professional technician for diagnosis time before any parts are replaced.

Repair Scenario	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Total Estimate
Wiring harness repair or connector replacement	$20–$80	$60–$170	$80–$250
Hybrid battery voltage sense "R" sensor or actuator replacement	$80–$350	$70–$150	$150–$500
Control module diagnosis and repair or replacement	$150–$700	$150–$300	$300–$1,000

Most P0B92 faults turn out to be wiring damage or a bad connector — the cheapest scenarios. Always verify the actual failure before committing to the most expensive repair path.

Driving Safety Verdict

In most vehicles equipped with this code, the car remains driveable, though you may notice reduced hybrid assist, slightly worse fuel economy, or occasional limp-mode episodes. Unless the vehicle is throwing stalling, no-start, or braking/steering warnings at the same time, P0B92 does not constitute an immediate roadside emergency. Get it diagnosed and repaired at your earliest convenient opportunity to restore full hybrid performance and avoid potential follow-on damage from running in degraded mode.