Diagnostics · System playbook

Network Communication

U-codes: find the module that stopped answering the phone.

Modern cars are a network of modules on shared buses. U-codes mean modules stopped hearing each other — and the cause splits into three: a dead module, a damaged bus wire, or (most commonly) a power/ground problem making a healthy module go silent. The scariest-looking codes on the scanner are often a blown fuse.

What the symptoms mean

Multiple U-codes across modules
Bus-level problem: shorted wire or one module poisoning the network
One module not responding + its functions dead
That module's power/ground/fuse before the module itself
Gauges dead, no-start, U-codes everywhere
Main bus down — check the star/splice points and OBD port voltages
Codes set only in rain or car wash
Water in a connector on the bus run

The diagnostic order

Work top to bottom — the order is the point. Each step rules out the cheapest, most common causes before anything expensive gets blamed.

  1. Map the complaint: which modules are missing? All missing = bus problem; one missing = that module's supplies.
  2. Check the simple stuff first: fuses for the silent module, and battery/ignition feeds AT the module connector.
  3. Measure the bus at the OBD port: CAN high ~2.6V, CAN low ~2.4V at rest. Both pinned at 0V or 12V, or exactly equal = short on the bus.
  4. Unplug suspects one at a time (or pull the bus fuse segments) — a poisoning module releases the network the moment it is disconnected.
  5. Wiring last: bus wires run in twisted pairs; chafe points at harness brackets and connector water intrusion are the usual suspects.

Tools that matter here

Scan tool that shows module response statusMultimeterWiring diagram — bus topology matters here

The classic mistakes

  • Replacing a module for a communication code caused by its blown fuse.
  • Probing bus wires by piercing insulation and creating tomorrow's corrosion fault.
  • Disconnecting the battery as a "fix" — sleep-mode resets hide the fault until the customer is far away.
Pro tip: The map is the diagnosis: write down which modules answer and which do not, then look at a topology diagram. The break sits between the answering group and the silent group — every time.

Network Communication trouble codes (160)

P0600Serial Communication LinkP0601Internal Control Module Memory CheP0602Control Module Programming ErrorP0606PCM Processor FaultP0607Control Module PerformanceU0047Control Module Communication Bus DU0048Control Module Communication Bus DU0049Control Module Communication Bus DU0050Control Module Communication Bus EU0051Control Module Communication Bus EU0052Control Module Communication Bus EU0053Control Module Communication Bus EU0054Control Module Communication Bus EU0055Control Module Communication Bus EU0057Control Module Communication Bus EU0058Control Module Communication Bus EU0059Control Module Communication Bus EU0060Control Module Communication Bus FU0061Control Module Communication Bus FU0062Control Module Communication Bus FU0063Control Module Communication Bus FU0065Control Module Communication Bus FU0066Control Module Communication Bus FU0067Control Module Communication Bus FU0068Control Module Communication Bus FU0069Control Module Communication Bus FU0070Control Module Communication Bus GU0071Control Module Communication Bus GU0072Control Module Communication Bus GU0074Control Module Communication Bus GU0075Control Module Communication Bus HU0076Control Module Communication Bus HU0077Control Module Communication Bus HU0078Control Module Communication Bus HU0079Control Module Communication Bus HU0100Lost Communication with ECM/PCMU0101Lost Communication with TCMU0102Lost Communication with Transfer CU0103Lost Communication with Gear ShiftU0104Lost Communication with Cruise ConU0105Lost Communication with Fuel InjecU0106Lost Communication with Glow Plug U0107Lost Communication with Throttle AU0108Lost Communication with Exhaust GaU0109Lost Communication with Fuel Pump U0110Lost Communication with Drive MotoU0111Lost Communication with Battery EnU0112Lost Communication With ECM/PCM AU0114Lost Communication with 4WD ClutchU0115Lost Communication with ECM/PCM BU0117Lost Communication With GPS ControU0118Lost Communication with AlternatorU0119Lost Communication with Battery EnU0120Lost Communication with Starter/GeU0121Lost Communication with ABS ModuleU0122Lost Communication with Vehicle DyU0123Lost Communication with Yaw Rate SU0124Lost Communication with Lateral AcU0125Lost Communication with Multi-axisU0126Lost Communication with Steering AU0127Lost Communication with Parking BrU0128Lost Communication with Brake BoosU0129Lost Communication with Brake SystU0130Lost Communication with Trailer BrU0131Lost Communication with Power SteeU0132Lost Communication with Ride LevelU0133Lost Communication with SuspensionU0134Lost Communication with Active SteU0135Lost Communication with TPMS ContrU0136Lost Communication with Leveling CU0138Lost Communication with All TerraiU0140Lost Communication with Body ContrU0141Lost Communication with Front ECM U0142Lost Communication with Body ContrU0143Lost Communication with Body ContrU0144Lost Communication with A/C CompreU0145Lost Communication With Body ContrU0146Lost Communication with Gateway MoU0147Lost Communication with Seat ContrU0148Lost Communication with Seat ContrU0149Lost Communication with Seat ContrU0150Lost Communication with Audio AmplU0151Lost Communication with Restraint U0152Lost Communication with Parking AsU0153Lost Communication with Hands-FreeU0154Lost Communication with Gateway MoU0155Lost Communication with InstrumentU0156Lost Communication with ElectronicU0157Lost Communication with Digital CoU0158Lost Communication with Head-Up DiU0159Lost Communication with NavigationU0160Lost Communication with Sunroof CoU0161Lost Communication with ConveniencU0162Lost Communication with ConvertiblU0163Lost Communication with NavigationU0164Lost Communication with HVAC ContrU0165Lost Communication with Rear HVAC U0166Lost Communication with Auxiliary U0167Lost Communication with ImmobilizeU0168Lost Communication with Passive ReU0169Lost Communication with Fuel LevelU0170Lost Communication with Blind SpotU0171Lost Communication with Lane DeparU0172Lost Communication with Heads-Up DU0173Lost Communication With Compass MoU0176Lost Communication with Forward CaU0178Lost Communication with Rain SensoU0184Lost Communication with Radio ModuU0195Lost Communication with 4WD ControU0196Lost Communication with Rear CamerU0197Lost Communication with Surround CU0198Lost Communication With Telematic U0199Lost Communication with Door ContrU0200Lost Communication with Headlamp LU0201Lost Communication with Headlamp CU0202Lost Communication with Wiper ContU0203Lost Communication with Trunk/LiftU0204Lost Communication with Mirror ConU0205Lost Communication with Horn ContrU0206Lost Communication With Chime/BuzzU0210Lost Communication With Door SwitcU0211Lost Communication With Door SwitcU0212Lost Communication With Steering CU0213Lost Communication With Overhead CU0214Lost Communication with Remote StaU0215Lost Communication With Door ContrU0216Lost Communication With Door ContrU0217Lost Communication With Door ContrU0218Lost Communication With Door ContrU0219Lost Communication With Door ContrU0220Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0221Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0222Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0223Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0224Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0225Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0226Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0227Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0228Lost Communication With Zone ModulU0230Lost Communication with Adaptive SU0235Lost Communication with Cruise ConU0236Lost Communication With Cargo AreaU0237Lost Communication With EC/Auto DiU0242Lost Communication With InstrumentU0243Lost Communication with Trailer HiU0244Lost Communication With InstrumentU0245Lost Communication With InstrumentU0246Lost Communication With InstrumentU0247Lost Communication With InstrumentU0253Lost Communication with Collision U0259Lost Communication With Fuel FiredU0407Invalid Data Received From GPS ConU0408Invalid Data Received From Body CoU0409Invalid Data Received From Body CoU0410Invalid Data Received From Body CoU0411Invalid Data Received From Body CoU0412Invalid Data Received From Body CoU0427Invalid Data Received From Fuel FiU0430Invalid Data Received From SteerinU0431Invalid Data Received From Body Co
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