U0140 medium Severity

U0140: Lost Communication With Body Control Module

May cause loss of body‑related electrical functions; can impact starting and safety systems if multiple networks fail

Overview

U0140 Lost Communication With Body Control Module (BCM) diagnostic; possible causes BCM failure, wiring harness or CAN bus communication loss; symptoms and diagnostic guidance

Common Symptoms

  • Check engine or warning light illuminate
  • Body electrical functions (lights, door locks, windows) malfunction
  • Erratic interior/exterior lighting
  • Remote keyless entry failure
  • Blown fuses or inability to start in severe cases

Most Common Causes

Faulty Body Control Module (BCM) high

BCM fails to transmit/receive CAN messages correctly

Damaged or loose wiring and connectors in BCM circuit high

CAN bus lines, power or ground faults can interrupt communication

CAN bus communication failure medium

Shorts, opens, or network termination issues on CAN high/low

Low battery voltage or power supply issues medium

Voltage drop can cause module communication dropout

Diagnostic Steps

  1. Scan vehicle modules with OBD‑II diagnostic scanner
    Expected: Identify active U0140 and any accompanying U‑codes
    Interpretation: Multiple network codes suggest CAN bus problem
  2. Check battery voltage and BCM related fuses
    Expected: Battery should read ~12.2‑12.8 V; fuses intact
    Interpretation: Low voltage or blown fuse could cause communication loss
  3. Inspect BCM connectors and wiring harness for corrosion, looseness or damage
    Expected: Clean, secure connections and intact wires
    Interpretation: Poor physical connection often underlies communication error
  4. Use multimeter to test CAN high and CAN low continuity and check for shorts
    Expected: Continuity without short to ground
    Interpretation: CAN network fault indicates wiring issue
  5. Attempt direct communication with BCM using advanced scan tool
    Expected: Module responds to commands
    Interpretation: Non‑responsive BCM suggests module failure

Repair Solutions

Repair or replace damaged wiring/connectors in BCM circuit medium
Estimated Cost: $50 - $300

Fixing harness issues often resolves communication loss

Replace Body Control Module (BCM) hard
Estimated Cost: $300 - $800

Requires programming to vehicle; professional service recommended

Replace blown fuses and ensure correct power/ground easy
Estimated Cost: $10 - $50

Basic step that can resolve simple communication loss causes

Common Misdiagnoses

Avoid these common diagnostic mistakes:

  • Interpreting symptoms as purely mechanical engine issues rather than electrical communication failure

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical definition of U0140 OBD-II Code

When your OBD-II scanner reads U0140, it means: Lost Communication With Body Control Module. This code is related to the vehicle's Sensors.

How serious is the U0140 code?

You should treat U0140 as a medium issue. May cause loss of body‑related electrical functions; can impact starting and safety systems if multiple networks fail

Common signs of the U0140 error code

You may experience the following: Check engine or warning light illuminate, Body electrical functions (lights, door locks, windows) malfunction, Erratic interior/exterior lighting.

What causes the U0140 code?

The most common causes are: Faulty Body Control Module (BCM), Damaged or loose wiring and connectors in BCM circuit, CAN bus communication failure.

Estimated repair costs for different causes of U0140

Repair costs depend on the specific failure. A simple Replace blown fuses and ensure correct power/ground replacement is relatively affordable ($10-$50), whereas a Replace Body Control Module (BCM) repair is more expensive, potentially reaching $800.

Is U0140 a generic or manufacturer-specific code?

The U0140 code is a generic powertrain code, meaning it applies to almost all makes and models, such as Honda, Toyota, VW, Ford, and Chevy.

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