2014 Cadillac ELR
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The intent of this guide is to provide information to help you respond to emergency situations involving Cadillac ELR
vehicles in the safest manner possible. This guide contains a general description of how the Cadillac ELR vehicle
systems operate, identifies the location of the unique badging, and includes illustrations of the unique components.
The guide also describes methods of disabling the high voltage system and identifies cut zone information.
The Cadillac ELR is a front-wheel drive, four-passenger electric vehicle with extended-range capability. The vehicle is
propelled exclusively by electric motors. The ELR uses high voltage energy that is stored in the high voltage battery
as its primary power source. However, once the battery capacity is reduced, the gasoline engine drives a generator
which produces electricity to power the vehicle.
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Vehicle Identification
The Cadillac ELR badging is one method of identifying the
vehicle. The vehicle's logo is located on the left rear deck lid.
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Vehicle Identification (continued)
A unique Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) instrument panel cluster and energy display also assists in identifying the
Cadillac ELR.
Instrument
Panel
Cluster
Energy
Display
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System Components
The Cadillac ELR propulsion system is composed of the following
components and systems:
•
high voltage battery
•
Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) low voltage battery (12V)
•
power inverter module
•
accessory power module
•
high voltage battery charger
•
1.4 Liter Engine
•
4ET50 transmission
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High and Low Voltage Batteries
The high voltage battery, also known as the
drive motor battery, is a system of many
components that operate together to provide
the energy required for vehicle propulsion.
High voltage contactors, internal to the battery
pack, turn on and off to control the output of the
high voltage battery.
High Voltage Battery
The Cadillac ELR’s low voltage system (12V) utilizes an
AGM lead acid battery. The battery is located in the
rear compartment underneath the load floor. The low
voltage energy is utilized by vehicle modules to control
the high voltage battery contactors. Severing the low
voltage cables should cause the system to open the
contactors. The low voltage (12V) cable cut location is
found behind the left rear closeout panel in the rear
compartment of the vehicle.
Low Voltage AGM Battery
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Power Electronics
The power inverter module is located on the driver’s
side of the engine compartment and is mounted on
top of the transmission. The module changes the
high voltage direct current into 3-phase alternating
current. This 3- phase electrical energy is provided to
the motors within the transmission for vehicle
propulsion.
Power Inverter Module
The accessory power module is located in
the rear compartment beneath the load floor.
The module replaces the belt-driven
generator common to conventional vehicles.
The module converts high voltage Direct
Current (DC) electrical energy into low
voltage DC electrical energy to provide the
energy needed for the vehicle systems.
Accessory Power Module
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Charging System
The Cadillac ELR features an onboard high voltage charging
system that recharges the high voltage battery. The system
utilizes a unique cord to connect the vehicle to an electrical
receptacle. The charger is located behind the passenger
headlamp assembly and bumper fascia. The charger converts
household Alternating Current (AC) into DC voltage to charge
the onboard battery.
The vehicle charge port provides the interface between the
cords, plug, and the charger.
In the event a ELR is involved in an incident while the battery
charger is plugged in for charging the battery, remove the
charge cord from the car using the charger cord handle at the
charge port in the left front fender. If that cannot be
accomplished, the electrical power to the charge cord should
be terminated at the source.
Vehicle Charge Port
High Voltage Charger
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Powertrain
The 4ET50 transmission is a fully
automatic, front-wheel drive transaxle,
variable-speed, electronic controlled
transmission. The transmission contains
two electric motor / generators that are
utilized to:
1.4L Engine
• propel the vehicle
• generate / recapture energy
• start the internal combustion engine
The Cadillac ELR uses an internal
combustion 1.4L engine. The engine does
not directly propel the vehicle, but operates
only to spin the drive motor / generator.
4ET50 Transmission
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System Operation
The Cadillac ELR is an Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) that uses an electric propulsion system to drive
the vehicle. Stored electrical energy is used in electric mode to propel the vehicle. The vehicle operates up to 64
kilometers (km) or 40 miles (mi) until the battery has reached a low state of charge. Once the stored electrical
energy is reduced, the vehicle automatically enters extended-range mode. The gasoline engine drives the generator
which produces electricity for vehicle propulsion.
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System Operation (continued)
There are two separate electrical
systems, low voltage and high
voltage. The low voltage system
is similar to a conventional
vehicle. The high voltage
electrical system distributes 360
volts DC between the high voltage
components and 3-phase AC to
the transmission.
High Voltage
Battery
High Voltage DC
Cables
The high voltage cables are
orange in color to easily identify
the potential existence of high
voltage. High voltage cables that
are routed through non-orange
conduit are identified with high
voltage warning labels.
Low Voltage
Battery
High Voltage
3-Phase Cables
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Cadillac ELR Airbags
The ELR is equipped with 10 airbags to protect the
occupant in front, rear, side, and rollover crashes for
360° of protection.
Roof Rail
Airbags
Driver and
Passenger Airbags
The ELR has knee airbags which helps reduce injuries
to the front occupant’s legs.
The dual pretensioner seatbelts
work together with the airbag system
to protect the occupant in the event
of a crash.
Seat Mounted Side
Airbags
Knee Airbags
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Airbag Deployment
The contactors within the high voltage battery are
commanded open whenever one or more airbags
deploy. This interrupts the 360 volt electrical system
and discontinues current flow through the high
voltage cables.
This vehicle is equipped with dual-stage airbags and
the appearance of deployed airbags does not
ensure all stages of the airbags have deployed.
Therefore, disabling 12 volt power is essential to
ensure personal safety even if the airbags in the
vehicle appear to have been deployed. After
disabling 12 volt power, wait 1 minute to allow any
undeployed airbag reserve energy to dissipate.
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DC Voltage Classifications
Cadillac ELR vehicles use 360 volts which may be
higher than you have encountered - they MUST be
approached with caution.
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Voltage Classifications
The Cadillac ELR has two voltage levels:
•
•
Low voltage – from 0 to 30 volts
DC or 0 to 15 volts AC
High voltage – any voltage
greater than 60 volts DC or 30 volts AC
Classification
Low Voltage
High Voltage
DC ≤ 30v
DC > 60v
AC ≤ 15v
AC > 30v RMS
Voltage Ranges
Color coding identifies the different levels. Orange identifies high voltage cables.
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High Voltage Labels
The Cadillac ELR features a series
of high voltage labels that enable
quick identification of potential
electrical hazards. The labels are
attached on each high voltage
component.
Color coded labels indicate the
potential high voltage state.
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High Voltage Labels
The emergency / service personnel warning
label is affixed at the front of the engine
compartment and provides specific
procedures for emergency personnel.
The high voltage danger labels are red
and indicate that high voltage is present at
all times. These labels are located on the
high voltage battery.
The high voltage warning labels are orange and
indicate a potential shock hazard if high voltage
is not properly disabled. The labels are located
on all high voltage components with the
exception of the high voltage battery, which
utilizes the danger label.
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High Voltage Labels &
First Responder Tags
The First Responder cable cut
tag is wrapped around the low
voltage positive battery cable
and is located in the rear
compartment behind the fuse
panel door. To help ensure
that low voltage is not holding
the high voltage contactors
closed, cut the cable before
any extrication work is
performed.
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First Responder Labels
GM has implemented the labels shown here to help First Responders safely disable the vehicle in an emergency
situation. The cable cut tag is yellow and wraps around the low voltage positive cable to indicate where emergency
personnel must cut the cable.
Important:
Cut through the red positive low voltage cable on each side of the tag to remove a section of the cable to ensure
the cables cannot inadvertently reconnect.
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To Disable the 12V Power
1.
Press the Power button on the center
instrument panel to turn OFF the ignition.
2.
Cut the12V positive battery cable at the
yellow tag cut position. The cable is
identified by the yellow First Responder tag.
The tag is located behind the left rear
closeout panel in the rear compartment of
the vehicle.
Note: After disabling 12V power, wait 1 minute to
allow any undeployed airbag reserve energy
to dissipate.
Important:
Cut through the red positive low voltage cable on
each side of the tag to remove a section of the
cable to ensure they cannot inadvertently
reconnect.
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Disabling a ELR
The Manual Service Disconnect
(MSD) may also be removed to
further ensure the high voltage
system is disabled within the
battery. The MSD physically
interrupts the high voltage cables
internal to the battery. There is a
label that illustrates the removal
of the MSD which is located
underneath the center console
box.
Note: There is high voltage in the
battery even if the MSD is
removed.
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High Voltage Cables - DO NOT CUT ZONES
The high voltage cables in the Cadillac
ELR should not interfere with any
extraction procedures. However,
performing the disabling procedure prior
to work eliminates electrical current flow
through the 12 volt system and disables
the high voltage electrical system,
external to the 360V battery. No further
action is required.
DANGER: Do NOT cut the orange high
voltage 360 volt cables. Cutting these
cables can result in serious injury or death.
No matter what disable method you have
performed, always assume the high voltage
cables and components contain high voltage.
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Vehicle DO NOT CUT ZONES
Do NOT cut or strike the:
•
roof rail area above the windows near
the lift gate hinge. Side curtain airbag
inflators and lift gate hold open struts
are located in this area
•
lower center pillar areas forward of the
rear tires, contains airbag sensors
•
middle of the doors, contains airbag
sensors
•
front seat back on the outboard side,
contains side airbags
•
outboard area of the front seat lower
frame, houses a seat belt pretentioner
•
center tunnel area or the area under
the rear seats. The 360 volt battery is
installed in this area
WARNING: Do NOT cut into the vehicle until the 12V electrical
system has been disabled. Cutting into the vehicle prior to
disconnecting and isolating the 12V electrical energy sources
may cause airbag deployment resulting in serious injury.
DO NOT CUT HERE. Side curtain airbags
and lift gate hold open struts.
The ELR
battery has 360 volt electrical
potential at all times. It is
inside the center tunnel and
under the rear seat area.
DO NOT CUT HERE.
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High Strength Steel
The ELR has been designed to protect the occupant(s) during a
collision. The body structure is made up of high strength steel in
strategic locations to protect the cabin. The occupants are
protected from front, rear, and side impacts by a structural cage
created by the underlying vehicle structural design.
Additional crumple zones protect the occupant with front, side
and rear rails that are designed to crush in a crash.
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First Responder Considerations
Approaching a vehicle that is plugged in
Upon arriving at a location with a ELR plugged in for charging, you should first unplug the vehicle. If access to
unplug the vehicle is unavailable, “remove charge power” from the vehicle. This can be done by turning off the
power to the charge station.
Fire
A battery on fire will not explode. If battery cells reach high enough temperature, they vent and release
electrolyte. Battery electrolyte is flammable. Use copious amounts of water to cool the battery and extinguish
the fire. ABC dry chemical extinguisher will not extinguish a battery fire.
Water
The high voltage battery is sealed and isolated from the vehicle chassis. If the vehicle is immersed in water, you
will not be electrocuted by touching the vehicle.
Locate and review the Lithium-Ion Battery Chemistry Material Safety Data Sheet for more information.
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Conclusion
General Motors is committed to making your job as safe as possible.
We are confident the information contained in this guide will prove useful as you prepare to assist those
involved in an emergency event.
For information regarding modification of GM’s First Responder Information for other uses, contact GM’s Licensing Manager at:
GM Licensing Program Hdqtrs, 5775 Enterprise Ct., Warren, MI 48092, Attn: Licensing Coordinator
© 2013 General Motors. All rights reserved.
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