P0AA6: Hybrid high-voltage system isolation fault
The car has detected current leaking from the high-voltage system to the body. Moisture, a damaged orange cable or the A/C compressor is typical.
| Code | P0AA6 |
|---|---|
| System | Engine and transmission |
| Group | P0Axx, Hybrid and electric |
| Type | Generic: it means the same on every make |
| Can you keep driving? | Better not |
What P0AA6 means
In a hybrid, the whole high-voltage circuit (battery, inverter, electric motors, air conditioning compressor and orange cables) is insulated from the body. The car monitors that insulation constantly and, if it detects current leaking to the body, stores this code. It is an electrical safety fault: the car usually blocks or limits driving.
Most common causes
- Water or moisture inside a high-voltage connector or component
- Electric air conditioning compressor with damaged insulation, a common cause
- Chafed or bare orange high-voltage cable, for example after an impact or underneath the car
- Inverter coolant reaching its electrical parts
- Damaged winding in an electric motor or generator
- Internal leak in the inverter, converter or high-voltage battery
Symptoms
- Engine warning light and serious hybrid system warning
- Car will not go into READY mode, or shuts down
- Air conditioning stops working
- Power heavily restricted
Can you drive with P0AA6?
Better not Best not to drive: it is a high-voltage safety fault and the car may leave you stranded. Have it recovered, or drive only if essential, to a hybrid specialist.
Open the bonnetthe in-depth explanation
How to check it
Do not touch or unplug orange cables or connectors: they carry high voltage and are dangerous. Note whether the fault appeared after washing the engine, in rain or when switching on the air conditioning, as it really helps the garage locate the leak.
How to read and clear P0AA6 with Final OBD
Plug an OBD2 scanner in under the steering wheel, switch the ignition on and open Final OBD. Under Faults you’ll see P0AA6 with its description and whether it’s confirmed, pending or permanent.
If the engine stores it over standard OBD, with FREE you read this code with its explanation for nothing and clear it. With PRO you also read the faults of every control unit and clear them in all of them.
Clearing the code only turns the light off: if the cause is still there, it comes back. Clear it once it’s fixed, and not right before an inspection. It’s all in how to read and clear fault codes and in inspections and OBD.
Similar codes
- P0AA2 The hybrid battery positive contactor circuit has got stuck
- P0AA3 The negative hybrid battery contactor has an electrical fault
- P0AA4 The hybrid battery negative contactor circuit has got stuck
- P0AA5 The hybrid battery negative contactor circuit has got stuck
- P0AA7 The hybrid battery voltage insulation sensor has an electrical fault
- P0AA8 The hybrid battery voltage insulation sensor gives readings outside the normal
- P0AA9 The hybrid battery voltage insulation sensor gives a lower signal than normal
- P0AAA The hybrid battery voltage insulation sensor gives a higher signal than normal
- P0A0F Engine failed to start
- P0A1F Battery energy control module fault
- P0A7F Hybrid battery pack deterioration
- P0A80 Replace hybrid battery pack
What does code P0AA6 mean?
In a hybrid, the whole high-voltage circuit (battery, inverter, electric motors, air conditioning compressor and orange cables) is insulated from the body. The car monitors that insulation constantly and, if it detects current leaking to the body, stores this code. It is an electrical safety fault: the car usually blocks or limits driving.
Can you drive with P0AA6?
Best not to drive: it is a high-voltage safety fault and the car may leave you stranded. Have it recovered, or drive only if essential, to a hybrid specialist.
How do you clear P0AA6?
With an OBD2 scanner and an app like Final OBD, which clears it for free if it’s stored by the engine control unit. But clearing it only turns the light off: if the cause isn’t fixed, P0AA6 comes back.
Read it on your car
Final OBD reads and clears engine faults through standard OBD for free, each one explained in plain English. With PRO it also reads the faults of every control unit, each make’s own codes included, and clears them in all of them.
