HomeTrouble CodesU0066

U0066 — Vehicle Communication Bus E Open

Generic OBD-II · all makesNetwork / communication

U0066 indicates that the engine or network diagnostic system has detected an open circuit on a manufacturer-defined serial data line called Vehicle Communication Bus E. An 'open' means the bus circuit has lost continuity somewhere between modules, so one or more control modules cannot send or receive messages. This is almost always a wiring, connector, or termination problem rather than the engine computer itself.

Symptoms

What causes it — most likely first

1. Open, shorted, or damaged Bus E wiring harness

The data line may be pinched, rubbed through, corroded, or broken, creating an open or short to ground/power that stops communication.

2. Corroded, loose, or pushed-out connector pins

Poor contact at a module connector, splice, or inline connector interrupts the bus signal and sets the open-circuit code.

3. Incorrect or failed termination resistor(s)

Many serial buses require matched terminating resistors; a missing or out-of-spec resistor can cause an open-bus fault or erratic communication.

4. A control module on Bus E failing and disrupting the bus

An internal fault in a module attached to Bus E can pull the data lines high or low, making the rest of the bus appear open.

5. PCM / ECM internal communication fault

This is uncommon; the engine computer is only a realistic cause after the wiring, connectors, termination, and other Bus E modules have been ruled out.

How it's diagnosed

  1. Record all stored U-codes and identify which modules respond and which do not; focus on devices connected to Bus E.
  2. Inspect the Bus E harness and connectors for physical damage, corrosion, moisture intrusion, and pin push-outs; repair any wiring faults found.
  3. With the key off, measure Bus E resistance and compare with the manufacturer specification; verify terminating resistors are present and within tolerance.
  4. Check Bus E voltage levels with the system powered and compare to spec; abnormal idle voltage can point to a shorted or open line.
  5. Disconnect Bus E modules one at a time while monitoring the bus; if communication returns after a specific module is unplugged, that module is likely faulty. Replace the PCM/ECM only if all other possibilities are eliminated.

Code facts & related codes

SystemNetwork / communication
StandardizationSAE generic — identical on every make

Frequently asked

Is U0066 usually a bad PCM/ECM?

No. U0066 is most commonly caused by wiring, connector, or termination resistor problems on Bus E. PCM/ECM replacement is rarely the correct fix and should only be considered after the bus and all other modules are proven good.

Can I keep driving with U0066?

The vehicle may still run if Bus E does not control critical systems, but affected modules may be offline and related functions may not work. It should be diagnosed promptly to avoid further issues.

Why does my scan tool fail to communicate with some modules?

An open Bus E circuit breaks the data path, so modules on that bus cannot be reached by the scan tool or by other modules on the network.

What tools are needed to diagnose U0066?

A scan tool that can read network codes, the vehicle wiring diagram, and a digital multimeter are usually required; an oscilloscope can help if intermittent signal faults are suspected.