U0130 — Lost Communication With Steering Effort Control Module

What are the symptoms of U0130?

Drivers most often notice: random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches, modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner, no-start or intermittent starting in some cases, multiple warning lights on at once.

How do I diagnose U0130 myself?

Start with a scan: confirm U0130, save the freeze frame and note any companion codes. Then inspect the wiring and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication, and verify the suspect component against live data before buying parts.

Will U0130 clear itself?

Sometimes U0130 clears after a few drive cycles if the fault was intermittent — for example a loose connector or a tank of bad fuel. The underlying cause usually remains, so the code tends to return. Clear it once; if it comes back, diagnose rather than erase it repeatedly.

How much does it cost to fix U0130?

Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400; Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500; Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150. Exact cost depends on the root cause, your vehicle and local labor rates — a proper diagnosis is the cheapest first step.

What is the most common cause of U0130?

The most common causes are: a faulty module pulling the bus down, water ingress in harness junctions, poor grounds or low battery voltage.

What does U0130 mean?

U0130 is logged by the onboard diagnostics when the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication does not behave as expected. The official definition is “Lost Communication With Steering Effort Control Module”. This is a vehicle network category code.

The module monitors this system continuously while driving. When readings fall outside the expected range for a defined number of drive cycles, it stores U0130 and switches on the warning light. Freeze frame data saved with the code shows the exact conditions — rpm, load, temperature, speed — at the moment the fault was detected, which is the best starting point for diagnosis.

What causes U0130?

• aftermarket equipment interfering with the bus
• poor grounds or low battery voltage
• damaged CAN bus wiring or short to power/ground
• a faulty module pulling the bus down

Common symptoms of U0130

• random, hard-to-reproduce electrical glitches
• modules intermittently not communicating with the scanner
• no-start or intermittent starting in some cases
• multiple warning lights on at once
• intermittent loss of functions (gauges, windows, steering assist)

How to diagnose U0130

1. Connect an OBD2 scanner, confirm U0130 is stored, and save the freeze frame data — it shows engine conditions when the fault was detected.
2. Related codes often reveal the real root cause. Also check manufacturer technical service bulletins (TSB) for your make and model — many U0xxx issues have factory fixes or software updates. Search by VIN on the manufacturer site or nhtsa.gov.
3. Visually inspect the wiring harness and connectors related to the vehicle network (CAN bus) communication for damage, corrosion, chafing or poor contact.
4. Measure resistance between CAN-High and CAN-Low at the OBD port with power off — about 60 Ω is healthy.
5. Scan all modules: the one that does not respond is either the culprit or downstream of the break.
6. Clear the code, complete a full drive cycle including the conditions from the freeze frame, and confirm U0130 does not return.

How to fix U0130

Start with the cheapest and most common causes before replacing expensive parts:

• Repair CAN wiring or connectors — $100–$400
• Replace the faulty control module — $300–$1,500
• Remove interfering aftermarket device — $0–$150

How much does it cost to fix U0130?

Repair cost depends on which component actually failed. Typical scenarios for U0130 (parts and labor, USD, independent shop rates):

• Repair CAN wiring or connectors: $100–$400
• Replace the faulty control module: $300–$1,500
• Remove interfering aftermarket device: $0–$150

Overall, fixing U0130 usually costs between $0 and $1,500. An accurate diagnosis before buying parts saves money — the most expensive scenario is rarely the first one to check.

Can you drive with U0130?

Depends on what is affected. A single dead convenience module is fine to drive with; loss of communication with engine, braking or steering modules is not. If multiple critical systems drop out, do not drive.

Related OBD2 codes

• U0100: Lost Communication With ECM/PCM "A"
• U0101: Lost Communication with TCM
• U0102: Lost Communication with Transfer Case Control Module
• U0103: Lost Communication With Gear Shift Module
• U0104: Lost Communication With Cruise Control Module
• U0105: Lost Communication With Fuel Injector Control Module