Car troubles can be a significant headache, but they can also be a safety measure to show an underlying issue with your vehicle. Jeep vehicles are some of the most popular on the market, but that’s not to say they don’t have their own share of issues, like when a “No Bus” indicator pops up.
“No Bus” on a Jeep vehicle can mean multiple things. If it appears, but the engine can still start and run, there is usually a dash cluster issue. If the engine does not run, it suggests the crankshaft position sensor has shorted. It could also be something else entirely.
You probably still have a lot of questions about what this means for your vehicle. Don’t worry; we’ll delve into the issue and the resolution so that you can make an informed decision about what is best to fix it.
Why Would A Jeep Say “No Bus”?
While there are different reasons for the “No Bus” issue, some issues are more prominent than others that make it easier to distinguish what is causing the problem.
- The Connector to the PCM Wiring Harness is loose: This could be causing the shorting out of the vehicle and causing the issue. A trick here is to put a washer under the head of the bolt attached to it. This can help fix the problem.
- If it comes on initially and then shuts off: This suggests the cluster itself is terrible and will need to be replaced. This is not difficult to replace if you know the ins and outs of the vehicle. However, it might be better to get someone else to help.
- Dirty cluster plugs: Dirt on the cluster plugs can prevent the electricity from traveling through them correctly, meaning there will be some issues. If you can get to this part of the vehicle and clean it up, it might be the solution you need to fix it.
- Faulty PCM: This is not an easy fault to distinguish, but if you have a friend or family member, a good way of ruling that out as the issue is to attach it to their vehicle.
- Battery voltage and alternator output issue: If the correct signal voltage is not coming through, it can cause many problems with your vehicle.
- Software Issue: In some of the newer models of Jeep vehicles, this issue could be caused by a software issue, so always be up to speed on whether the company has acknowledged issues with their software.
There are many different reasons for “No Bus,” but the most common are cluster issues and problems with the PCM.
Here’s a video for fixing the No Bus No Start issue:
Is it Safe to Fix a “No Bus” Issue Myself?
The “No Bus” issue can be a complicated method to fix, and you might find that it is the process of elimination to find the exact component that is causing you the problems.
- If the engine still runs, the best thing to do would be to check out the dash cluster.
- If you are also getting dim or flickering gauges, inaccurate readings, or any other issues with the gauges, it would back up the fact that there could be an issue with the cluster.
If you’re in a pinch and can’t get the car to a professional, the cluster can be checked out by yourself. If it’s loose or dirty, these are things you would be able to fix on your own.
If you’re in doubt about going beneath the hood to diagnose the issue alone, you’re best holding off and getting a professional to fix the issue. The reason for this is that you could harm yourself or damage the vehicle.
Here are some tips if you feel confident in pressing on with diagnosing the issue on your own:
- Always have a torch: You’re going to want to find the issue with ease, and squinting to pick various parts of the vehicle apart is not a good idea. You could change the wrong thing.
- Always turn the vehicle off: You don’t want the car switched on when you’re touching the electrical parts and other components.
- Use protective gloves: Gloves that are safe for electrical shocks would be sufficient in this scenario.
- Don’t do it unless you’re comfortable: Some people are not satisfied with the inner workings of vehicles. That’s not a bad thing, but a bad thing would be to mess around with components of the car without being informed of the dangers.
- Make sure the vehicle is in a safe place: If you’re on the side of a highway, it will be challenging to pay your full attention. You need to make sure to observe your surroundings while also observing the vehicle.
Signs “No Bus” May Happen Soon
It’s important to know if there are any issues with your vehicle, but it might be easier to confirm the issue is “No Bus” if you have had any of the following problems ahead of time:
- Car stalling: If the car stalls, it could mean that the PCM is being shorted. While it won’t show as “No Bus” initially, there’s a good chance it will get there eventually. If you want to prevent the dreaded “No Bus,” replace the PCM quickly. The issue only gets worse with time.
- Gauges dropping to low levels: This is another tell-tale sign that “No Bus” could be on the way, and it should be the indication you need to have the parts of the car checked out in case the issue happens when you’re in an area in the middle of nowhere with no cell service.
Conclusion
If you keep tabs on the above issues, this should help you if you think “No Bus” will appear. If it has already showed up, multiple causes could be at play underneath the hood. As with any issues, they can be made worse if you don’t know what you’re doing. Always exercise caution when it comes to working on your Jeep.