P0600
- Powertrain
- Generic (SAE)
Diagnose soon
Usually safe to drive short distances, but the fault will not clear itself and can worsen or fail an emissions test.
Serial Communication Link
This code is in our catalogue but has not yet been through editorial review, so the guidance below is limited to what our structured data supports. We publish deeper diagnostic content only after a code has been reviewed — here is why.
A general fault on a serial communication link - typically used by older single-wire diagnostic protocols (KWP2000, ISO 9141) before CAN became universal. ECU has lost or corrupted communication with another module.
A trouble code records what a control module measured. It does not identify which part failed. Test before replacing anything.
- Safe to drive
- Usually safe to drive short distances, but the fault will not clear itself and can worsen or fail an emissions test.
- Urgency
- Diagnose soon
- Will it pass emissions
- Not affected
- Check engine light
- Solid
- Possible limp mode or no-start
- Multiple follow-up faults across modules
- Reset/relearn may be needed after repair
Many vehicles show no symptom at all beyond the warning light. The absence of a symptom does not mean the fault is not real.
| # | Cause | How often | Component |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harness fault on bus line | Very common | — |
| 2 | Gateway module routing CAN messages incorrectly | Occasional | — |
| 3 | CAN terminating resistor (120 Ω) drifted out of spec | Occasional | — |
Ordering reflects how often each cause is responsible in general, not a probability for your vehicle. Confirm by testing.
- Serial Communication Bus
- Definition
- Generic code set (SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6) via the OBDexopen database, dedicated to the public domain under CC0-1.0.
- Diagnostic guidance
- Written and reviewed in-house. See our editorial policy.
- Review status
- Awaiting review
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