OBD-II trouble code
U0446: Invalid Data Received From Body Control Module 'E'
A module is receiving messages from body control module 'E', but the data inside them is implausible or out of range. The link is alive; the content is wrong. The 'E' counterpart to U0431/U0443/U0444/U0445 — a fifth body controller on the most complex vehicles.
Quick facts
- System
- Network
- Category
- Network Communication
- Severity
- Medium severity
- Drivable
- Usually safe to drive short-term
- Repair cost range
- $100 – $1,100
- DIY difficulty
- Shop recommended
What does U0446 mean?
A handful of the most complex, feature-dense vehicles divide their body-electrical workload across five or more controllers. Body control module 'E' is the fifth of these, working alongside modules 'A' through 'D' to run its portion of the lighting, wipers, power windows and locks, keyless entry, warning chimes, and comfort features. It broadcasts the status of the systems it manages onto the vehicle network. U0446 sets when a receiving module is still hearing from body control module 'E', but the data in its messages is invalid: a value is out of range, implausible, or contradicts what other modules see. The link is alive; the content simply can't be trusted — the defining difference from a lost-communication code, which means the module has gone completely silent. Its siblings are U0431 ('A'), U0443 ('B'), U0444 ('C'), and U0445 ('D').
Because the fault is bad data rather than a dead bus, the causes cluster around whatever makes the module broadcast wrong information. Low system voltage is one of the most common triggers of all — body control modules are very sensitive to supply voltage, and a weak battery or poor ground frequently produces intermittent invalid-data codes here. A single failing switch, sensor, or body actuator feeding the module can push it into reporting an implausible value. Corroded connectors, water intrusion, or chafed wiring — body modules often sit low in the dash, a kick panel, or elsewhere moisture can reach — can corrupt otherwise-good messages, and outdated, corrupted, or never-programmed software after a replacement is a frequent cause.
Symptoms are as broad as the systems body control module 'E' manages: a check engine light plus odd body-electrical behavior such as lights, wipers, locks, windows, or chimes acting erratically, warning messages, or features that intermittently drop out. The car usually stays driveable because core engine, brake, and steering control don't depend on the body module, but the affected convenience and safety-lighting features can be unreliable. Because U0446 is frequently a secondary code, read the full list — a companion body, voltage, or component code often names the real root cause, and low voltage is worth ruling out first.
Common causes
- Low system voltage, a weak battery, or a poor ground — a very common BCM trigger
- Failing switch, sensor, or body actuator feeding body control module 'E' an implausible value
- Water intrusion or corrosion at the module's connectors or its mounting location
- Corroded connectors or chafed wiring corrupting messages in transit
- Outdated, corrupted, or mismatched body control module 'E' software
- Body control module 'E' replaced without proper programming
- Electrical noise or damaged bus wiring corrupting messages
- Body control module internal fault
Symptoms
- Check engine light with assorted body-electrical warnings
- Erratic exterior/interior lighting, wipers, power windows, or door locks
- Warning chimes or dash messages that come and go
- Convenience features intermittently dropping out
- Companion body, voltage, or component codes stored alongside U0446
Diagnostic steps
- 1.Read ALL stored codes first — U0446 is often secondary to a body, voltage, or component code that names the real fault.
- 2.Load-test the battery and check charging voltage and grounds; low voltage is a leading BCM cause.
- 3.Inspect body control module 'E' connectors and its area for water intrusion, corrosion, and loose pins.
- 4.Use live data to compare the module's reported inputs against actual switch/sensor states.
- 5.Trace any companion component code to the specific switch, sensor, or actuator involved.
- 6.Check bus wiring near the module for chafing and damage.
- 7.Verify the module has the correct, current calibration, then address companion codes before condemning it.
Repair cost
$100 – $1,100
Cost depends on what is producing the bad data. Correcting low voltage, a weak battery, or a bad ground is often $150-$400. Repairing a corroded connector or water intrusion varies with access. A failing switch, sensor, or body actuator is typically $100-$400 installed. A module reflash is $100-$300, and body control module replacement with programming is the expensive case at $400-$1,100 — but that should only follow thorough diagnosis, since U0446 is frequently a secondary code and low voltage is a common, cheap fix.
Estimate your repair
Run the numbers for your vehicle
Open the Repair Cost Estimator with module communication / can bus diagnosis preselected. Adjust labor rate and vehicle category to fit your situation.
DIY vs shop
Leave this one to a qualified shop. It typically involves emissions-critical components, refrigerant handling, or other work that requires manufacturer-grade tooling, training, or certification. DIY attempts often produce a more expensive problem than the original code.