Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
(Electric Drive Powertrain Control Unit, Basic Function - GF08.20-P-9892A)
Electric vehicles
Overview
This document contains information on:
- General
- Location
- Function requirements
Location
Depending on the model, the powertrain control unit (1) is located in the front passenger footwell or in front of the left A-pillar.
Example illustration
- Function
General
The electric drive powertrain control unit is the central control unit for all functions of the drivetrain.
It is connected to the network architecture of the vehicle.
Function requirements
- Circuit 30t ON
Function
The tasks of the powertrain control unit (1) include:
- Traction management
- Energy management
- Heat management in the drivetrain
- Electric drive low-temperature circuit
- High-voltage battery low-temperature circuit
- High- and low-voltage coordination
- On-Board Diagnostics
- Interface (gateway) between the connected bus systems
The powertrain control unit (1) processes the following information, for example:
For vehicles with two electric machines, the corresponding information is processed and sent for each machine.
- Circuit status
- Voltage/high-voltage battery current
- High-voltage battery charge level
- Temperature of high-voltage battery
- DC/DC converter temperature
- Temperature of alternating current charger for high-voltage battery
- Maximum charge/discharge current
- Contactor status
- Status of alternating current charger for high-voltage battery
- Actual value of electric machine torque
- Actual value electric machine engine speed
- Available torque from electrical machine
- Status of electrical machine
- Fan motor status
- Accelerator pedal sensor
- Start/stop button
- Status of the DYNAMIC SELECT switch
- Status of steering wheel gearshift buttons
The powertrain control unit (1) processes these input factors and transmits the following information, for example:
- Specified value of the electric machine torque
- Electric machine torque limitation
- Direction of rotation of electric machine
- Drive train operational
- Transmission mode
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.