U0073 on 2010-2015 Chevrolet Equinox: Causes and Fixes for Communication Bus Failure

What's Unique About the 2010-2015 Chevrolet EQUINOX

The 2010-2015 Equinox and its sibling, the GMC Terrain, are highly susceptible to this code due to a specific wiring harness vulnerability. General Motors has issued multiple Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) pointing to a common failure point: broken wires or corrosion within the harness near the X411 connector. This connector is located under the vehicle, exposed to the elements, making diagnosis more direct than on other vehicles where a U0073 code might lead to a more open-ended search for the fault.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• "Service StabiliTrak", "Service Power Steering", or "Service All Wheel Drive" message on the driver information center.
• ABS and Traction Control warning lights are on.
🎬 Watch: How to fix ABS, Traction Control, and Stabilitrak lights.
• Vehicle may not start or may stall while driving.
• Loss of power steering assist.
• Transmission may shift erratically or go into a limp mode.
• Reduced Engine Power message and associated loss of acceleration.
🎬 See why your Equinox is showing the Service Stabilitrak warning.

Most Likely Causes

1. Broken or Corroded Wire(s) at Connector X411 🔴 High Probability As documented in GM TSBs #PIT5171D and #PIT5427B, the wiring harness near the X411 connector is a known weak point. The connector is located under the rear of the vehicle, to the left of the fuel tank, where it is exposed to moisture, road salt, and debris, leading to corrosion or wires breaking inside the insulation. Rodent damage has also been noted as a cause in this area.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness for 1-2 feet around the X411 connector. TSB #PIT5171D specifically advises to remove tape and conduit and look for discolored insulation or chewed-up conduit. Gently pull on individual wires; a broken wire will stretch or break the insulation, revealing the corroded break inside. The High-Speed CAN bus wires are a twisted pair, typically Tan (Pin 2500) and Tan/Black (Pin 2501). A multimeter can also be used to check for 60 ohms of resistance across pins 6 and 14 at the DLC; a reading of 120 ohms or an open circuit points to a break in the bus.
   Typical fix: Repair the broken wire(s) using solder and heat-shrink tubing or high-quality sealed butt connectors. Replace any corroded terminals within the X411 connector itself. Apply dielectric grease to the connector to prevent future moisture intrusion.
   Est. part cost: $5-$20
2. Faulty Control Module ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: If the wiring is confirmed to be good, a single faulty module can bring down the entire network. This is diagnosed by unplugging modules one by one (e.g., EBCM, TCM, RDM) and seeing if communication is restored to the remaining modules. This requires an advanced scan tool that can show network status. The EBCM (Electronic Brake Control Module) is a common point of failure that can cause this code.
   Typical fix: Replace the failed module. This often requires programming by a dealer or qualified shop with GM-specific software.
   Est. part cost: $200-$800
3. Weak or Failing Battery ⚪ Low Probability → Shop Vehicle Battery
   How to confirm: Test the battery voltage. A healthy battery should have at least 12.4 volts with the engine off and maintain voltage above 10 volts during cranking. Low system voltage can prevent modules from initializing correctly, causing communication faults.
   Typical fix: Replace the vehicle's battery.
   Est. part cost: $150-$250

Rare But Worth Checking

• Poor Ground Connection: A corroded or loose main ground for a control module (like the EBCM or BCM) can cause communication issues that mimic a network failure. Always check major ground points on the engine, body, and near the fuse box. A loose ground was the confirmed fix for a no-start condition accompanied by multiple communication errors on a 2010 Equinox.
• Faulty Aftermarket Electronics: Improperly installed remote starters, alarms, or trailer brake controllers can interfere with the CAN bus network and trigger a U0073 code. If the issue started after an installation, try disconnecting the aftermarket device first.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check the battery voltage to ensure it's above 12.4V and that the charging system is working correctly (13.8-14.5V when running).
2. Scan all modules with a professional scan tool and record all stored DTCs. Note which modules are not communicating.
3. Locate connector X411 under the vehicle. It is on the driver's side, typically described as being to the rear of the vehicle and to the left of the fuel tank.
4. Thoroughly inspect the wiring harness for about 1-2 feet around the X411 connector. Look for chafing, discoloration, rodent damage, or signs of corrosion.
5. Carefully remove any tape or conduit and gently tug on each wire within the harness. A broken wire will stretch or snap, often revealing green or black corrosion inside the insulation. The High-Speed CAN bus wires are a twisted pair, typically Tan and Tan/Black (or Dark Green on some diagrams).
6. If a broken wire is found, perform a durable repair using solder and heat shrink or a sealed, weatherproof butt connector. Repair any other damaged wires found in the same bundle.
7. If no visible damage is found, disconnect the battery and check for 60 ohms of resistance across pins 6 (CAN High) and 14 (CAN Low) of the OBD-II port. A reading of 120 ohms indicates a break in the circuit or a missing termination resistor. An open circuit (OL) also indicates a break.
8. If resistance is incorrect, begin unplugging modules on the high-speed bus (EBCM is a good starting point) to see if the resistance returns to a normal value, which can isolate a faulty module.
9. After repairs, clear all codes and perform a test drive to ensure the issue is resolved.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Wiring Repair Supplies — The most common fix is repairing a broken wire, which requires basic electrical supplies.
  Trusted brands: 3M
  Aftermarket price range: $5-$25
• Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) (OEM #22754644 (2013), 84342062 (replaces 84107316), 22804954) — The EBCM is a critical module on the high-speed CAN bus. In the rare case a module fails and brings down the network, the EBCM is a possibility. Part number varies by year and options. This part requires programming after installation.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco, Dorman
  OEM price range: $300-$500
  Aftermarket price range: $200-$400
• Body Control Module (BCM) — In the rare case a module has failed and is bringing down the network, the BCM is another possibility. It acts as a gateway for communication between different networks.
  Trusted brands: ACDelco
  OEM price range: $250-$400
  Aftermarket price range: $150-$300

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• U0100 — Lost Communication With Engine Control Module (ECM). This appears because the U0073 fault is preventing all modules from talking to the ECM. [TSB #PIT5400, TSB #PIT5427A]
• U0101 — Lost Communication with Transmission Control Module (TCM). This is another symptom of the main communication bus being down. [TSB #PIT5400, TSB #PIT5427A]
• U0121 — Lost Communication With Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Control Module. This code is common with U0073 and often triggers the ABS and StabiliTrak warning lights. [TSB #PIT5400, TSB #PIT5427A]
• C0045 / C0050 — Left/Right Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Circuit. The wiring for these sensors runs through the same vulnerable X411 connector, and a break there can cause these codes alongside the U0073. [TSB #PIT5171D]

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• PIT5400: Mentions U0073 appearing with a large group of other communication codes across various modules.
• PIT5171D: The key TSB for this issue. It explicitly identifies the U0073 code, points to the X411 connector, and describes the failure mode as a wire breaking inside the insulation. It also lists associated

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A wire break inside the insulation near connector X411 is the most common cause of U0073 on this platform, as detailed in TSB #PIT5171D. The wire can be broken even if the outer insulation looks intact; pulling on the wire is the definitive test.
• Corrosion within the X411 connector itself is also a frequent cause, as noted in TSB #PIT5427B. This is due to its exposed location under the vehicle, making it susceptible to water and road salt.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• CAN Bus Resistance — expected: ~60 Ω. Failure: A reading of ~120 Ω indicates an open circuit or a faulty terminating resistor. A reading of 0 Ω or near-zero indicates a short between the CAN High and CAN Low wires.
• CAN High Voltage (Key On, Engine Off) — expected: 2.5V – 3.5V. Failure: A flatline or voltage outside this range indicates a bus problem.
• CAN Low Voltage (Key On, Engine Off) — expected: 1.5V – 2.5V. Failure: A flatline or voltage outside this range indicates a bus problem. The High and Low signals should mirror each other.
• PCM Ground Circuit Resistance — expected: < 1.0 Ω. Failure: High resistance (Ohms) on a ground circuit from the PCM connector pin to the battery negative terminal indicates a poor ground connection.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• X411 — Under the rear of the vehicle, located behind and to the left of the fuel tank.. This is the most common failure point for U0073 on this vehicle. The High-Speed GMLAN wires, along with wheel speed sensor wires, pass through this connector and are prone to corrosion and breakage due to its exposed location.
• G112 — For the 2.4L engine, it's at the lower left front of the engine. For the 3.0L, it's at the left rear of the engine.. This is a primary ground point for the Engine Control Module (ECM). A poor connection here can cause various communication and engine control issues.
• G210 — On the left side of the dash.. This is a ground point for the Body Control Module (BCM). Since the BCM is a central gateway for network communication, a bad ground can cause widespread data errors.
• Interior Fuse Box — In the passenger side footwell, behind a cover on the side of the center console.. Contains fuses for various control modules, including the Body Control Module (BCM) and the Data Link Connector (OBD-II port) itself.
• Underhood Fuse Box — On the driver's side of the engine bay, near the battery and engine computer.. Contains primary fuses and relays for the ECM, TCM, and other critical engine and transmission components.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• YouTube user comment (2010 Chevrolet Equinox) — No-start condition, multiple warning lights including 'Service Stabilitrak'.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced engine, Replaced transmission, Replaced starter, Charged battery, Swapped relays
  ✅ What actually fixed it The bolt for a main ground wire, located on the firewall behind the compressor, had not been fully tightened by a mechanic after an engine replacement. Tightening the loose ground wire resolved all issues.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 22911900, 22911902 → 22754644, 23156466 — Part revision and update by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: Part number 22754644 is listed for 2012-2017 models. It is critical to verify the correct EBCM part number with the vehicle's VIN before ordering, as there are variations based on model year and options.