Cayenne S E-hybrid electric motor rotor position sensor failure. Electric engine malfunction

[porsche]

I have a 2015 Cayenne S E-hybrid with 70.000 miles. The check engine warning light came on the other day.. Everything was still working fine. I took the car to the Porsche dealer and the found that the problem is with the electric engine. The error code is P0A4200, which is malfunction of the electric motor rotor position sensor.

 

The tried reprogramming the engine with new software, but that did not help. Now they say the whole electric engine needs to be replaced even though it is just the sensor not working. The cost of this will be around USD 10.000 (here in Norway). Apart from the check engine light everything is working as normal. The hybrid part is working fine.

 

Any advice?

[JFP in PA]

Porsche released a technical bulletin on this code, entitled "Complaint - Red Hybrid Warning Message Appears in the Instrument Cluster: Performing Guided Fault Finding Before Doing Any Other Work (106/19)", which cautions against making decisions on replacing the electric motor for this exact code until "As soon as at least one of the specified fault codes is stored as a passive fault in the fault memory, always perform guided fault finding using the PIWIS Tester before doing any other work in order to avoid incorrect repairs – in particular, replacing the electric motor unnecessarily."

 

I would ask them if they have followed these guidelines before making their determination.  Good luck.

[porsche]

Thank you for your reply. Yes, they had done that, and the conclusion is still that the electric motor needs to be replaced. And I never had the "Red hybrid warning message" only the "yellow check engine warning". Has anybody had any experience with this problem? Is it possible to replace the sensor only? And where can one be bought? Is there a place where I can buy a used electric engine?

[JFP in PA]

Sorry, but a a lot of hybrid electric motors are not 'field serviceable", meaning they have to go back to the manufacturer for just about anything other than software updates to the control system.  As the result, no parts are available because they don't want them taken apart in the field.

 

Used electric motors out of a suitable wreck is possible, but a great degree of caution and some specialized equipment may be needed to complete the swap as the vehicle's electric system carries enough amperage to severely injure or even kill someone that does not have expertise with them, or the right safety equipment.