A blown fuse or poor power/ground connection at the Information Center 'A' module; Damaged or chafed CAN bus wiring between the information center and the network backbone; Corroded or loose connector pins at the information center or at a network splice pack; Internal failure of the Information Center 'A' module itself; A shorted or failed module on the same CAN segment pulling the bus down and preventing communication; Low battery voltage or a failing charging system causing intermittent network dropouts; Aftermarket accessories wired into the CAN bus or information center circuit causing interference

DTC codes / U01xx · Lost communication with a control module / U0156

U0156Lost Communication With Information Center 'A'

Q: What does code U0156 mean?

Lost Communication With Information Center 'A'. U0156 is a generic network communication code indicating that a control module on the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) bus has lost contact with the Information Center 'A' module, which is typically the display or driver information interface. The computer detected that expected periodic messages from that module stopped arriving within a set time window, so it flagged the missing node as offline.

U0156 is a generic network communication code indicating that a control module on the vehicle's Controller Area Network (CAN) bus has lost contact with the Information Center 'A' module, which is typically the display or driver information interface. The computer detected that expected periodic messages from that module stopped arriving within a set time window, so it flagged the missing node as offline.

SystemNetwork

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityMedium

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaLost communication with a control module

Symptoms you may notice

The information center display may be blank, frozen, or showing dashes instead of normal data
Multiple warning lights or a 'service vehicle soon' message may appear because other modules cannot share data with the display
Some driver-selectable features such as trip computer, settings menus, or clock adjustments may stop responding
The radio or other infotainment functions may behave erratically if they share the same network segment
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the information center is not critical to vehicle operation

Common causes, most likely first

A blown fuse or poor power/ground connection at the Information Center 'A' module
Damaged or chafed CAN bus wiring between the information center and the network backbone
Corroded or loose connector pins at the information center or at a network splice pack
Internal failure of the Information Center 'A' module itself
A shorted or failed module on the same CAN segment pulling the bus down and preventing communication
Low battery voltage or a failing charging system causing intermittent network dropouts
Aftermarket accessories wired into the CAN bus or information center circuit causing interference

How to diagnose and fix it

Verify battery voltage and charging system output, then clear the code and test-drive to see if U0156 returns
Check all fuses and grounds serving the Information Center 'A' module using the vehicle's wiring diagram
Inspect the module connector and nearby harness for corrosion, loose pins, or chafed wires
Measure CAN bus resistance and voltage at the information center connector to confirm the bus is healthy
Perform a network integrity test with a scan tool to see whether other modules also report the information center as offline
If the bus and power are good, substitute a known-good Information Center 'A' module or bench-test the original
Repair or replace the faulty wiring, connector, or module and recheck communication after clearing codes

What a missing information center really means

A dead information center often takes down shared data for other modules, so unrelated warning lights can appear and send you chasing the wrong system.
The code names the module that stopped talking, but the actual fault is frequently a blown fuse or corroded ground rather than the display unit itself.
A single shorted module on the CAN bus can mimic a failed information center by disrupting communication for every node on that segment.
Aftermarket stereos, alarms, or phone chargers tapped into the wrong wire can introduce noise that makes the information center drop off intermittently.
Low battery voltage during cranking is a common cause of stored U0156 codes that never return once the battery is charged or replaced.

Can I keep driving with U0156?

The vehicle usually remains drivable because the information center is not a safety-critical module, but you should avoid relying on its display for speed, fuel, or warning information. Have the fault diagnosed soon, especially if other warning lights or drivability issues appear alongside it.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.