Battery System, Hybrid Drive: Description and Operation

High-Voltage Traction Battery

WARNING: To prevent the risk of high-voltage shock, always follow precisely all warnings and service instructions, including instructions to depower the system. The high-voltage hybrid system utilizes approximately 300 volts DC, provided through high-voltage cables to its components and modules. The high-voltage cables and wiring are identified by orange harness tape or orange wire covering. All high-voltage components are marked with high-voltage warning labels with a high-voltage symbol. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury or death.

NOTICE: The High Voltage Traction Battery (HVTB) in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) can be affected and damaged by excessively high temperatures. The temperature in some body shop paint booths can exceed 60°C (140°F). Therefore, during refinishing operations, the paint booth temperature must be set at or below 60°C (140°F) with a bake time of 45 minutes or less. Temperatures in excess of 60°C (140°F) or bake durations longer than 45 minutes will require the HVTB be removed from the vehicle prior to placing in the paint booth.

The vehicle is principally powered by an internal combustion engine, much like any ordinary vehicle. However, it also transforms the energy that is normally wasted during stop and go operation (when coasting and braking) into electricity, which is stored in the High Voltage Traction Battery (HVTB) until the moment it is needed by the Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) traction motor or the 12-volt system. The traction motor is used to support the engine during acceleration and uphill driving. In low-speed driving situations, the vehicle may move under only battery power, without the internal combustion engine running. The internal combustion engine may automatically shut off when the vehicle is stopped/idling or when coasting under 75 km/h (47 mph) and will restart when the accelerator is depressed, when the traction motor needs assistance, or if the HVTB state-of-charge is low. This avoids using excess fuel when the vehicle is not in motion. The vehicle does not need to be plugged into an external source of electricity to be recharged. The energy provided by the engine and the regenerative braking, via the eCVT traction motor and generator motor, charges the HVTB.

The HVTB assembly, located behind the rear seat backrest, consists of the following components:

- HVTB
- HVTB service disconnect plug
- Battery Energy Control Module (BECM)
- High-voltage Bussed Electrical Center (BEC)
- HVTB connector and bracket (mounted to the high-voltage BEC)
- Battery Pack Sensor Module (BPSM)
- High-voltage low-current fuse (mounted in the high-voltage BEC)
- HVTB system wire harness
- HVTB cooling fan and jumper harness (accessed from the trunk area)
- HVTB cooling inlet duct
- HVTB cooling outlet duct (accessed from the trunk area)
- HVTB inlet air temperature sensor
- HVTB cooling inlet duct plate
- HVTB ground strap
- High-voltage BEC cover

All of the HVTB assembly components listed above can be individually serviced except the HVTB and the HVTB system wire harness. The HVTB and HVTB system wire harness are serviced as part of the entire HVTB assembly which includes all of the components in the list above except the HVTB cooling inlet duct plate.

The high-voltage system also includes of the following components:

- High-voltage cable assembly
- eCVT, including motor generators and regenerative braking. For information on the eCVT, refer to Automatic Transaxle/Transmission - Electronically Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) Description and Operation and Computers and Control Systems Information.
- DC to DC Converter Control Module (DC/DC) located on the RH frame rail, behind the radiator support. For information on the DC/DC, refer to High Voltage Converter/Inverter Description and Operation.
- Air Conditioning Compressor Module (ACCM) and A/C compressor assembly located on lower LH side of the engine block.