Does anyone know what "no bus" means, my car won't start...

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Answer by EddieM
Submitted on 1/5/2005
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"no buS" means that your insturment cluster is not communicating with the onboard computer. Your cars have a "data bus" the same as a personal computer. It is basically just part of the computers wiring system. Try checking plug in connectors in your wiring system. This could possibly be somewhere besides behind the instrument cluster, such as at the computer. Another thing to check is the ground system. I don't know about your particular vehicle, but I have found a few vehicles with a loose ground wire, which was driving the instruments crazy. In those cases, there was a ground wire with a metal grommet attached to the metal body or dash structure somewhere under the dash. I have found on some vehicles it is attached on the left side under the edge of the dash right above the emergency brake pedal. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any luck.

Answer by Patricia
Submitted on 8/7/2005
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Hi, I too have a 2000 Jeep Cherokee that occasionally lights up with the Key Sentry Immobilizer light then right after with "No BUS." This started about 2 years after having the car. We had it in with the dealer 3 or 4 times before they found the problem to be the Crank Sensor. Once fixed, it was fine. However, less then 2 years later, the problem started up again on and off. I hate the fact I can't rely on my vehicle. A week ago we took it back in and based on our history, they replaced the sensor again and told us that was the problem. However, just two days ago, my husband and I were about to take off for a trip when the same signal came back on with the "No BUS." Very Frustrating.

Answer by driving down the road
Submitted on 8/8/2005
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I know its kind of late, but perhaps I could help, "No Bus" simply means that your computer is not able to read any info from your circuits....., plain & simple....., if your engine shuts off suddenly, you will not fine a "code", the "no bus" will appear momentarily ( 3 seconds at the most) on your obdimeter........., now, if you are looking for a computer, try this, don't go to auto parts store, they don't carry any, not even the dealerships, they all come from the west coast....., you can try a junk yard, but if you want a bargain....... E-Bay, my computer re-tail for about %400.00-$500.00, got the same one for $150.00 plus shipping....hope I was able to help........

Answer by Tony
Submitted on 10/15/2006
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DIAGNOSIS: Using the DRB III�, read and record all active and stored fault codes in the AECM. This condition is caused by minor oxidation of the BUS circuit terminals at the instrument cluster connector. Electrical terminals will show signs of oxidation, which will appear as darkened lines or marks on the cluster male terminals. These often appear as gray or black marks rather than the appearance of oxidation or corrosion usually associated with higher current carrying circuits. This condition will set a "NO CLUSTER CCD BUS" message. The fault code will usually be stored and not active. THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WILL NOT ADDRESS FUEL OR OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ISSUES. If this fault code is present, either active or stored perform the Repair Procedure. PARTS REQUIRED: Qty Part No. Description 1 05016261AA Cluster Connector Patch Harness 1 04856975 Electric Contact Cleaner 2 04778570 Heat Shrink Tubing Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the instrument cluster using the procedures outlined in the appropriate servicemanual. Inspect the male terminals of pins 1 & 2 on the instrument cluster connector labeled CNB (See Figure 1). The oxidation will appear as gray or black lines or marks on the terminals. If any signs of oxidation are present, remove them by gently scraping the terminals with a small flat bladed screw driver until the oxidation is gone. Use of a magnifying glass may be helpful (See Figure 2). Use caution when performing this operation. Do not apply excessive force to the terminals to avoid bending them or damaging the cluster or terminals. Do not use a sharp tool, knife or sand paper, which could remove the protective plating from the terminals. Do not use any cleaner other than p/n 04856975. Other chemical cleaners could damage the instrument cluster. Clean the male terminals with Electrical Contact cleaner, p/n 04856975. Apply the cleaner sparingly holding the cluster with the connector facing down to avoid excessive amount of cleaner from entering the cluster. Remove the green cluster connector from the bracket. Using wire cutters, remove the instrument cluster harness connector from the harness. Remove only the connector containing the BUS circuit (See Figure 1). This connector is labeled CBA on the cluster. Cut the wires as close to the insulator as possible. The new connector must be soldered onto the harness. This operation requires a technician who is skilled at soldering to avoid a cold solder joint. Position the harness and align the wires with the patch harness, matching the color codes match the main wire colors. NOTE: THE XJ INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINS ONE MORE CIRCUIT IN THIS CONNECTOR THAN THE TJ. CUT THE UNUSED WIRE CLOSE TO THE CONNECTOR ON TJ MODELS. Stagger cut the main harness and patch harness wires so that the solder joints will be 1/2 inch apart. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the wires. The new harness will have a dark blue with no tracer. This will mate with a dark blue wire with a green tracer on TJ and with a dark blue wire with a white tracer on XJ. Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the wires and twist the wires together for each respective circuit. Solder each circuit using rosin core solder. Be sure to heat the wire enough to allow the solder to melt when it comes in contact with wire. Do not use acid core solder. Position the heat shrink tubing over the solder joints and shrink the tubing using a heat gun. Install the connector to the bracket. Install the instrument cluster. Connect the battery cable. Verify correct operation of the cluster.

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Question by lisa
Submitted on 2/6/2004
Related FAQ: rec.autos.makers.chrysler FAQ, Part 1/6
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Does anyone know what "no bus" means, my car won't start after a rain or freezing rain and wondering if it has anything to do with this reading, also just had a full tune up and new battery, car will turn over just won't start. I have a 98 sebring jxi convertible, 64,ooo miles

Answer by jeff
Submitted on 5/17/2004
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no idea my sebring is doing the same thing the gadges dont work

Answer by Tred
Submitted on 6/23/2004
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My dad's 2000 Jeep Cherokee is doing the same thing. Fuel gauge and Voltmeter not functioning, won't start, "no bus" error in the odometer. No dealers will help on the phone. I have three cherokee'sat my house. All three are nickel and diming us to death.

Answer by PJ
Submitted on 7/10/2004
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RECENTLY HAD "no buS" SHOW ON THE ODOMETER IN MY 2000 JEEP WRANGLER. THE VEHICLE DID START AND RAN WITHOUT A PROBLEM, BUT WHO KNOWS FOR HOW LONG. THE ONLY RECENT CHANGE WAS A NEW BATTERY.

Answer by Tim
Submitted on 7/11/2004
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Having the same problem on my '99 Jeep Cherokee. Google turned up an article that mentioned this: http://home.eclipse.net/~rc/ It says there's a service bulletin for this issue on '99 Jeep Wrangler. Taking mine in tomorrow; hope the same applies. Good luck.

Answer by Tim
Submitted on 7/13/2004
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Found more. Ask about Jeep TSB 08-15-99; doesn't list 00's, but there might be something similar. I bought a subscription to alldata.com; now I have a copy for myself and can read it out word for word to the mechanic if they need me to. Good luck. -Tim

Answer by angel
Submitted on 9/28/2004
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i have a 1996 chrysler sebring convertible, doing the same exact thing and reading the same no buS message for a few weeks??. the car intermittently does not start other days its fine... dont know what to do, will check back often....also i have had the car for 2 years and replaced 4 wheel bearings!! any advice (besides get a new car) ;-)

Answer by jeep man
Submitted on 10/10/2004
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My wife's 00' wrangler recently read "NoBus" on her gauges, I called my local jeep dealership and they had mentioned a problem with the connections in the back of the gauge cluster. Today I went and di-electric greased all of the connections in the back of the gauge cluster. Hopefully this will solve the problem?? -Justin

Answer by Tonia
Submitted on 12/22/2004
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I have an uncle that works for our local Jeep dealer. I was told the "no bus" error displayed in the odometer has to do with the wiring harness behind the speedometer. I asked how much it would be to repair this problem he told me "a couple hundred dollars." Hope this helps! Tonia

Answer by Hate Chrysler
Submitted on 2/10/2005
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My Wrangler just did it because the battery is dead. I know a lot about cars, and while I am guessing here- I am going to say that it is due to a bad ground. "Bus" is a technical computer term (even outside of automotive applications). If you battery is not dead, make sure the connections on the battery are clean and tight. (And most importantly, on the right posts on the battery!) The reply stating that the battery was just changed makes me more suspicious that this is the cause.

Answer by Motor Head
Submitted on 6/23/2005
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The no bus syndrome on the jeeps. Had one in the shop a no start with the fuel and amp gauge not working. The no bus signal on the odom. Pcm depends on an 8 volt ref to communicate through the bus line to the cluster to operate the dash and to communicate threw the aldl connecter. If any sensor shorts out the pcm goes dead and the no bus sign shows. On the rear drivers side top of bellhousing is the location for the crank sensor. Unplug the sensor and watch your dash. Your meters will restore and the NO BUS flag will be gone. Need to have one in with an intermitent NO BUS so i can labscope the sensor to see if the signature is correct. Will post when i get one.

Answer by josh the mechanic
Submitted on 7/8/2005
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The "no bus" signal is indicating that there is no fuse, a blown fuse, or no power the the ECM (electronic control module or "the brain") make sure all relays are operational as well and you should be on your way.

Answer by angela
Submitted on 7/25/2005
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The 'no bus' error is a cranking censor. It is a couple hundred dollars. He has a 2001 Jeep Cherokee. Hope this helps.

Answer by lisa
Submitted on 8/24/2005
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i have a 2001 chysler seabring and no bus reading dealer trying to say powertrain control module please help

Answer by ally
Submitted on 9/18/2005
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hey sounds like your distributor cap is wet just dry it off with water sealent or compressed air if u have the facilities.

Answer by BOB
Submitted on 1/21/2006
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ON JEEP DODGE CHRYSLER VEHICLES COMPUTERS COMMUNICATE WITH ONE ANOTHER ACROSS THE "BUS". THE BUS IS CONTROLLED BY THE BODY CONTROLLER. DOUBLE CHECK ALL FUSES IN PDC (POWER DISTRABUTION CENTER) UNDER HOOD AND FUSE CENTER UNDER DASH. MAY NEED BODY CONTROLLER. "NO BUS" MEANS PCM,BCM,TCM ALL COMPUTER MODULES ARE NOT COMMUNICATING WITH ONE ANOTHER.

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Answer by alex
Submitted on 1/4/2006
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i had the same problem with my Chrysler cirrus. it said "no bus" and it started although none of the gages worked. when i started driving it, the gages began to work and "no bus" went away and the engine light came on. its in the shop right now, I'll post something tomorrow saying what was wrong with it.

Answer by Demtron
Submitted on 3/30/2006
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Have same problem with my Sebring 2001. Took it up and they unplugged the CD Changer; and all is well. Now I waiting for a new cd changer.

Answer by zac
Submitted on 4/13/2006
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i dont know whats wrong i have a 99 jeep grand ch. and it wont start sometimes unless u put it into nuetral i dont think its disengaging

Answer by Kris
Submitted on 7/11/2006
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I also have a 99 Jeep. Every time it happens to me my car still runs fine, except for the gauges...and for some weird reason, if you hit the trip reset button everything goes back to normal.

Answer by Luther
Submitted on 7/14/2006
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How about the Body Control Module?

Answer by adam
Submitted on 7/20/2006
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My 2000 jeep cherokee was reading "no bus." i brought it to the dealer for a estimate, they replaced the "crankshaft position sensor" and it was running like new in less than 2 hours. it cost me $200+ hopefully this helps everyone out.

Answer by keith
Submitted on 7/29/2006
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Did anyone ever find out an answer to the 'no bus' problem. I have a 98 Sebring JXi with the same thing?

Answer by biohazard wa
Submitted on 8/21/2006
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look at jeep tsb 08-15-1999 it solved same problem in my 1999 jeep

Answer by been there
Submitted on 2/20/2007
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you all have an electrical problem with either your fuse box or ignition wires under the hood no bus means no fuse (fuses are bus fuses)and it is not making the proper conection so the computer assumes (yes they assume) there is no fuse. good luck finding the short I worked on cars for almost 15 years. my wife had a 99 cherokee sport that did it,and it got worse and worse; finally I got tired of having to pick her up at work so we sold the jeep

Answer by pb3xl
Submitted on 4/14/2007
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Im having the same problem with a 2005 Charger. Im the install guy at a shop i work at and i put a remote start in this car. The odometer dispays "no bus" and the car wont start. Door locks dnt wrk, windows dnt wrk,....its completely locked up. Were havin it towed in first thing monday morning. Ill let you know what i find out.

Answer by aztecphysio
Submitted on 4/19/2007
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check out ILOVEJEEPS.COM the no bus answer is there, I live in Spain and I got the no bus message as well, good luck guys Rick

Answer by oshima
Submitted on 7/2/2007
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i had the same trouble with my brand new pt cruiser; the only thing that i did was the instalation of xenon bulbs.