U0141: Lost communication with the body control module
Lost communication with body control module "A" (front control module / TIPM on some Chrysler products)
Severity: Inspect soon
Jeep and Dodge owners report stalls, engine run-on, no-starts and limp mode with U0141, and the module involved controls many body and power functions, so have it checked soon.
It gets more serious if:
- Stop: Stop if the engine stalls, the transmission goes into limp mode or the car will not restart while driving; pull over where safe.
U0141 in short
U0141 means other modules stopped getting messages from the body control module. On 2007-2008 Jeep Wranglers and some Dodge vans owners report a failing front control module (TIPM) with stalls and no-starts. Check power, ground and battery first; stalls or limp mode make it urgent, so get it checked soon.
Other computers expect regular messages from the body control module, which handles lights, locks, wipers and power distribution. If those messages stop for long enough with the ignition on, U0141 is stored.
That can be because the module has no power or ground, the network wiring is open or shorted, or the module itself has failed. On late-2000s Jeep Wranglers and some Dodge Grand Caravans owners say the front control module (TIPM) was the cause and report horns, wipers and locks acting on their own, stalls and no-starts.
Mitsubishi has a bulletin updating diagnostics for U0141 as a CAN timeout with its body ECU.
Most likely causes
Cause 1: Failing body or front control module (TIPM)
Supported by vehicle data- Why it ranks here
- Wrangler and Grand Caravan owners report U0141 with erratic electrical behavior and a dealer pointing at the TIPM.
- What would change this
- Rises with erratic horn, wiper or lock behavior and several modules offline. Falls if power and ground to the module are good only after a repair.
Cause 2: Lost power or ground, or low battery voltage
Common general cause- Why it ranks here
- The public description of U0141 says it means a network fault or a lost power or ground to the module.
- What would change this
- Rises if the battery is weak, terminals are loose or a fuse is open. Falls if power and ground at the module test good.
Cause 3: Open or shorted network wiring to the module
Possible — needs testing- Why it ranks here
- Network wiring faults produce the same code, and AA1Car says further testing is needed before repairs.
- What would change this
- Rises with other lost-communication codes. Falls if only one module is affected.
What to test first
Start at step 1. Each result tells you what it means and where to go next.
Step 1: Read every module for stored codes and note which modules lost communication with U0141, and whether ABS, transmission or other U-codes are stored.
IfMany modules show U0141 and other lost-communication codes
It meansLook at power, ground and the network first.
IfErratic horn, wipers or locks accompany it (Jeep, Dodge)
It meansThe front control module is suspect.
Step 2: Check that the battery terminals are clean and tight and that the battery tests healthy, and look at fuses feeding the body control module.
IfThe battery is weak, a terminal is loose or a fuse is open
It meansFix that and retest.
IfPower is good
It meansHave a shop test the module's supply, ground and network lines.
Symptoms
- Horn, wipers, locks or lights acting on their own
- Engine stalls or will not start Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
- Transmission limp mode Gets more serious: stop and have it checked.
- Several warning lights and "lost communication" codes
How to fix
Step 1: With the ignition off, check that the battery terminals are clean and tight.
Step 2: Ask a dealer whether a recall or bulletin applies to your VIN.
On your vehicle
JeepYour car
2007–2008 · Wrangler
Supported by vehicle dataWrangler owners report U0141 with erratic electrical behavior, stalls and a front control module (TIPM) replacement. The code list also appears on Dodge Grand Caravan. No bulletin was read, so this is complaint data only.
MitsubishiYour car
2010–2018 · Outlander
Supported by vehicle dataMitsubishi TSB1942B003 covers Outlander, Outlander Sport and Lancer Sportback with an ETACS-ECU CAN timeout (U0141); TIN-16-36-001 covers 2017 Outlander with U0141 stored beside B1762. Whether either is still current is not verified.
TSB1942B003Status unverified
ETACS-ECU CAN timeout, DTC U0141
2010–2018outlander, outlander-sport, lancer-sportback · NHTSA 10158955
Updates the service manual Body section diagnostics for an ETACS-ECU CAN timeout with U0141. The NHTSA summary does not say what the repair is.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
TIN-16-36-001Status unverified
B1762 with stored U0141 and U0415 (F.A.S.T. key, electric parking brake)
2017outlander · NHTSA 10091473
Dealer instructions for when B1762 (IOD fuse not fully seated) is active in the body ECU while U0141 and U0415 are stored in the parking brake module.
We couldn't confirm whether this bulletin is still current, so it doesn't count as confirmation.
Related codes
U0141 questions
Is U0141 always the body control module?
No. It means other modules stopped hearing from it, which can be a power, ground or wiring fault as well as the module. Check power first.
Sources and review
- NHTSA complaint ODI 10715501: 2008 Jeep Wrangler
- NHTSA complaint ODI 11197223: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- NHTSA complaint ODI 11194274: 2016 Dodge Grand Caravan
- NHTSA complaint ODI 10468884: 2008 Jeep Wrangler
- U0141 Lost Communication With Body Control Module
- CAN bus U-codes
- Mitsubishi TSB1942B003: ETACS-ECU CAN timeout, DTC U0141 (Outlander, Outlander Sport, Lancer Sportback)
- Mitsubishi TIN-16-36-001: B1762 with stored U0141 and U0415 (2017 Outlander)
- Last reviewed
- Written by
- Saurabh K.
- Editorial review
- Pending
- Technician review
- Technician review pending
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