U0061
Vehicle Communication Bus D (-) Low
Communication network (CAN bus)
Generic OBD-II
Medium
What it means
U0061 means the CAN-Low (-) line of communication bus D is reading abnormally low, usually from a short to ground or a module dragging the line down. Bus "D" is defined by the manufacturer, so the impact depends on which network it is — commonly lost features and warning lights. A full module scan shows which modules dropped off and points to the wiring short or failing module behind it.
Medium
Can I keep driving? Often drivable, but expect warning lights and lost features on bus D; diagnose to confirm which network is affected before relying on the car.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Multiple modules on bus D reporting communication faults
- Warning lights and dead or erratic features
- Faults that come and go with vibration or temperature
- Several codes set at the same time
Common causes
Most likely first
- CAN-Low (-) wire shorted to ground, pulling the line lowLikely
- Corroded or damaged connector on the bus D circuitCommon
- Chafed or pinched CAN-Low wiringCommon
- A failed module holding the bus voltage downLess often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Scan all modules and record the codes to identify the affected segment of bus D.
- Back-probe CAN-High and CAN-Low and compare voltages to spec to confirm the low-side fault.
- Inspect the bus D wiring for shorts to ground and connectors for corrosion.
- Disconnect suspect modules one at a time to see if the bus recovers, isolating a shorted module.
- Repair the wiring short or replace the faulty module, then clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with U0061?+
Diagnose first. Bus 'D' is manufacturer-defined — if it's a comfort network the car drives fine, but confirm it isn't a powertrain bus before trusting it on a long trip.
Can I just clear U0061?+
No — a low CAN-Low voltage is a short or module fault. It returns until the physical cause is repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with U0061
Read & clear U0061 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX