U0046
- Network & Communication
- Generic (SAE)
Get it looked at now
Driving may cause further damage or leave you stranded. Arrange service promptly rather than waiting.
Vehicle Communication Bus C
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.
Generic fault on bus C (third bus, often chassis CAN or diagnostic CAN). A communication loss with this module breaks any function relying on its data — diagnostic tools may show 'no response' and dependent modules can fall into limp mode.
A trouble code records what a control module measured. It does not identify which part failed. Test before replacing anything.
- Safe to drive
- Driving may cause further damage or leave you stranded. Arrange service promptly rather than waiting.
- Urgency
- Get it looked at now
- Will it pass emissions
- Not affected
- Check engine light
- Solid
- Multiple warning lights may illuminate
- Affected modules may go into limp mode or shut down
- Specific functions inoperative depending on module
- Diagnostic tools may show communication faults
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 | Wiring or node fault on bus C | 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.
- Bus C Wiring
- Bus C Nodes
- 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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