Code
B13C4
Generic
B — Body
Body Control Module CAN Communication Fault
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Causes
- Open, shorted, or high-resistance CAN bus wiring (CAN High or CAN Low)
- Poor or intermittent ground or power supply to the BCM or other modules
- Faulty or corroded connectors, pin damage, or loose terminals at BCM or wiring harness
- Failed or misprogrammed BCM or another control module on the same CAN network
- Missing or incorrect termination resistor(s) on CAN bus
- Intermittent module wake/sleep behavior or software/firmware bugs
Symptoms
- Multiple modules report communication errors or multiple body/network codes
- Intermittent or complete loss of functions controlled by BCM (lights, locks, windows)
- Warning lamps illuminated (CAN-related or multiple module warnings)
- No response from BCM-controlled features; some modules may be 'asleep' or unresponsive
- Module communication shows as 'Bus Off' or repeated error frames when viewed with a scan tool/oscilloscope
What to check
- Connect a capable diagnostic scan tool and read all stored and pending DTCs; note freeze frame and U-codes
- Verify battery voltage is within specification (typically 12.4–14.4 V) during tests
- Visually inspect BCM connectors, harness, and nearby wiring for damage, corrosion, or water intrusion
- Check BCM ground(s) and power feeds for clean, tight connections and correct voltage
- Measure CAN_H and CAN_L voltages at the BCM connector with key on, engine off
- Measure DC resistance between CAN_H and CAN_L to confirm ~60 ohms termination (two 120Ω in parallel) at key off
Signal parameters
- CAN_H idle (recessive): ~2.5 V (vehicle dependent); dominant CAN_H ~3.5 V
- CAN_L idle (recessive): ~2.5 V; dominant CAN_L ~1.5 V
- Typical differential voltage when dominant: ~2.0 V (CAN_H minus CAN_L)
- Expected bus resistance between CAN_H and CAN_L: ~60 Ω with key off (two 120 Ω terminators in parallel)
- Common CAN data rates: 125 kbps, 250 kbps, 500 kbps (confirm vehicle-specific rate)
- Module message periodicity varies by function; BCM heartbeat/keepalive often present every 100–1000 ms (vehicle dependent)
Diagnostic algorithm
- Record all stored/pending DTCs and freeze-frame data. Note any U-codes indicating another module is offline.
- Verify and record battery/resting voltages. Perform tests with battery charged to specification to avoid false errors.
- Visually inspect BCM connector(s), harness routing, and grounds for damage, corrosion, bent pins, water intrusion, or loose terminals.
- Check power and ground at the BCM: verify supply voltages at the correct pins with key on and starter cranking where applicable.
- Measure CAN_H and CAN_L voltages at the BCM connector with a multimeter. Compare to expected idle voltages (~2.5 V each).
- With key off, measure DC resistance between CAN_H and CAN_L at two distant points on the bus to confirm ~60 Ω. If not ~60 Ω, locate open/missing terminator or short.
- Use an oscilloscope or CAN analyzer to capture bus activity. Look for missing periodic messages, excessive error frames, dominant bus-off conditions, or high noise.
- If noise or short suspected, isolate sections of the network: disconnect non-critical modules one at a time (where safe) to see when communication is restored. Use service manual isolation points if available.
- Inspect or test any aftermarket devices tied into the CAN bus; disconnect them and retest.
- Repair identified wiring faults, damaged connectors, or grounds. Replace faulty terminators if abnormal.
- If wiring and bus integrity are good, check BCM software/flash level and compare to OEM specification. Reprogram or update software if advised by manufacturer technical service information.
- If BCM hardware is still suspected after above steps, confirm with manufacturer-recommended bench tests or swap with a known-good unit (when allowed) and reprogram/configure as required.
Likely causes
- Loose/corroded connector or poor ground at the BCM
- Broken or shorted CAN_H or CAN_L wiring near BCM or a splice
- Faulty BCM hardware or corrupted software
- Loss of termination resistor or incorrect value causing reflections or errors
Fault status
Status
BCM detected lost or faulty communication on the CAN network; other modules may also report communication errors.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 1.0-4.0 hours
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