Loss Of Instrument Panel Cluster Communication
Table of contents
U1096 PONTIAC Possible Causes
- Faulty Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC)
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) harness is open or shorted
- Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) circuit poor electrical connection
How do I fix code U1096 PONTIAC?
Check the “Possible Causes” listed above. Visually inspect the related wiring harness and connectors. Check for damaged components and look for broken, bent, pushed out, or corroded connector’s pins.
Tech Notes
- This is typically an electrical wiring connection issue at one of the controllers being monitored by the manufacturer.
- It can occur if:
- Someone changes a battery while the ignition switch is left on, that is, left in the RUN position.
- Someone flashes/upgrades their engine controller – other modules unable to communicate with PCM during this process – this will set U1096 at a multitude of controllers on the vehicle – all false codes. Erase and carry on.
- May need to disconnect both battery cables and touch them together for 15 seconds. Reattach battery cables, positive first, then negative and see if a soft reset helps.
Cost of diagnosing the U1096 PONTIAC code
The cost of diagnosing the U1096 PONTIAC code is 1.0 hour of labor. The auto repair labor rates vary by location, your vehicle’s make and model, and even your engine type. Most auto repairs shops charge between $75 and $150 per hour.
Possible Symptoms
- Engine Light ON (or Service Engine Soon Warning Light)
- Engine won’t crank / cranks but fails to start
- Instrument panel gauges inoperative
- Power windows / door locks intermittently operate
- May or may not be able to communicate with a scan tool / depends on problem
U1096 PONTIAC Description
Modules connected to the class 2 serial data circuit monitor for serial data communications during normal vehicle operation. Operating information and commands are exchanged among the modules. When a module receives a message for a critical operating parameter, the module records the identification number of the module which sent the message for the state of health monitoring/node alive messages. A critical operating parameter is one which, when not received, requires that the module use a default value for that parameter. Once an identification number is learned by a module, it will monitor for that module node alive message. Each module on the class 2 serial data circuit is required to send a Node Alive message every 2 seconds. When no message is detected from a learned identification number for 5 seconds, a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) U1096 is set.
