U0142

Lost Communication With Body Control Module B

Q: Is it safe to drive with U0142?

Often yes, but you may lose lights, locks, or other body functions, and on some vehicles the BCM is tied to the immobilizer. If the car won't start or lighting is affected, get it fixed before driving.

Q: Can I just clear U0142?

It returns if the module still isn't communicating. The wiring, power/ground, or module fault must be repaired first.

Communication network / body electronics Generic OBD-II Medium

What it means

U0142 means the vehicle has lost communication with body control module "B" — a computer that runs body electronics such as lighting, locks, windows, and wipers. When it goes offline, those convenience features stop working reliably and warning messages appear. The car usually still drives, though some designs tie the BCM into the immobilizer. The cause is normally a wiring, connector, power/ground, or bus fault at the module.

Medium

Can I keep driving? Usually yes, but expect body/comfort features (lighting, locks, windows) to misbehave; on some vehicles the BCM ties into the immobilizer, so a hard fault can prevent starting.

Real-world scan data

Seen in

scans in the past year

Found in

<0.1%

of scans

<0.1%

of scans that found faults

Appears alongside · share of U0142 scans

U0141in 60.6% of scans

U0146in 52.5% of scans

U0101in 51.5% of scans

Figures reflect only diagnostic scans recorded through our own apps and tools. Cars are typically scanned because a symptom or warning light prompted it, so these counts describe our scan records — not the incidence of faults in any model, and not the quality, reliability, or safety of any vehicle. No comparison between manufacturers or models is implied. All trademarks belong to their respective owners; no affiliation or endorsement is implied.

Common symptoms

What you'll notice

Multiple warning lights or messages at once
Body/comfort features fail (exterior/interior lights, locks, windows, wipers)
Interior electronics behave erratically
Scan tool can't reach body control module B

Common causes

Most likely first

Power or ground fault to the body control moduleLikely
Damaged or corroded connector or wiring at the moduleCommon
Failed body control moduleCommon
CAN bus wiring fault to the moduleLess often

How to diagnose & fix

Work through it in order

Scan all modules for related U-codes and note which features are lost.
Check the module's power and grounds.
Inspect connectors and wiring for corrosion or damage.
Verify bus communication to the module.
Replace the BCM only after wiring, power, and ground check good; program it if required.

FAQ

Quick answers

Is it safe to drive with U0142?+

Often yes, but you may lose lights, locks, or other body functions, and on some vehicles the BCM is tied to the immobilizer. If the car won't start or lighting is affected, get it fixed before driving.

Can I just clear U0142?+

It returns if the module still isn't communicating. The wiring, power/ground, or module fault must be repaired first.

Read & clear U0142 yourself

Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.

▶ Get it on Google Play

✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX