HomeTrouble CodesU0078

U0078 — Control Module Communication Bus F Off

Generic OBD-II · all makesNetwork / communication

U0078 means a control module has detected that communication network 'Bus F' is disabled or unresponsive. This indicates a break, short, or severe fault on the data bus wiring, or that a module connected to that bus is disrupting the entire network. The module setting the code may not be the one actually causing the failure.

Symptoms

What causes it — most likely first

1. Bus F wiring fault

An open, short-to-power, short-to-ground, or cross-short between the Bus F CAN high and low wires is the most common cause. Corrosion, chafing, or prior collision/repair damage are typical triggers.

2. Connector or pin problem

Loose, corroded, bent, or pushed-out pins at a junction connector or module connector on Bus F can interrupt the network. Moisture intrusion into a connector is a frequent real-world cause.

3. Incorrect or failed termination resistance

CAN buses rely on termination resistors, usually located inside two modules. A missing, open, or out-of-spec resistor can collapse bus communication and set U0078.

4. A module on Bus F pulling the bus down

An internal failure in any control module connected to Bus F can hold the network lines at an abnormal voltage. Isolating modules one at a time often reveals the culprit.

5. PCM, ECM, or gateway module failure

The main engine or gateway computer is rarely the root cause of a bus-off code. It should only be considered after the wiring, connectors, termination, and all other modules on Bus F have been ruled out.

How it's diagnosed

  1. Record all stored and pending codes from every module, not just the one reporting U0078, to map which devices are missing from Bus F.
  2. Visually inspect the Bus F harness and all inline connectors for chafing, corrosion, water intrusion, pinched sections, and prior repair splices.
  3. Measure Bus F voltage and resistance at an accessible diagnostic connector or module pin; compare CAN high and low values to manufacturer specifications and verify termination resistance.
  4. Use a lab scope or scan tool live data to watch the bus waveform while wiggling the harness and connectors to detect an intermittent short or open.
  5. Disconnect modules on Bus F one by one, rechecking communication after each, to identify a module that is internally shorting or loading down the network.

Code facts & related codes

SystemNetwork / communication
StandardizationSAE generic — identical on every make

Frequently asked

Is it safe to drive with U0078?

It is usually not recommended. A disabled communication bus can shut down safety, braking, or powertrain systems, and the vehicle may enter a limp-home or no-start condition.

Do I need to replace the PCM for U0078?

Usually no. U0078 is a network fault, and the PCM is rarely the cause. Most fixes involve wiring, connectors, termination resistors, or another module on Bus F. The PCM should be suspected only after everything else is ruled out.

Why are so many other U-codes stored along with U0078?

When the bus goes down, every module that depends on that network loses communication with the others and sets its own communication-fault codes. The other U-codes are usually effects, not separate failures.

Can I just clear the code and see if it returns?

You can clear it, but if the wiring or module fault is still present the code will generally come back immediately or soon after driving. Clearing alone does not fix the underlying bus problem.