U0117

Universal

Lost Communication With PTO Control Module

Definition source: General OBD-II reference catalog
Definition verification: Not independently verified for display.
Time: Varies by diagnosis and vehicle | Diagnostic difficulty: Medium
Medium Severity

The vehicle has detected that communication with the Power Take-Off (PTO) control module was lost. The PTO system manages equipment driven by the vehicle’s engine or drivetrain. Depending on the vehicle and how the PTO is used, the PTO may not operate, or a warning may appear. This code does not by itself prove that the PTO module has failed.

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⚠️ Before You Begin (Safety First)

If the PTO is needed for safe operation of the vehicle or its equipment, do not rely on it until the fault is diagnosed. Keep the vehicle parked and the PTO disengaged during visual checks. Stop driving if other warnings or symptoms affect safe vehicle control; seek qualified service.

Common Symptoms

  • There may be no noticeable symptoms if the vehicle does not use the PTO or the communication loss is intermittent.
  • The PTO or PTO-driven equipment may be unavailable or may not respond to commands if the control module cannot communicate.
  • A warning message or indicator related to the PTO or vehicle systems may appear, depending on the vehicle.
  • Other communication-related codes or unusual behavior in connected systems may occur if the underlying issue affects the vehicle network.

Common Causes

  • A loose, damaged, or corroded connector or wire may interrupt communication with the PTO control module.
  • A fault in the vehicle communication network or its wiring may prevent messages from reaching the module.
  • An interruption or fault in the module’s power or ground supply may stop it from communicating.
  • Low or unstable vehicle voltage may temporarily disrupt control-module communication.
  • The PTO control module itself may be faulty, but this code alone does not establish that.

Diagnostic Steps

  1. Park safely, disengage the PTO, and check the owner’s manual for any PTO-specific precautions before inspecting the system.
  2. If a suitable scan tool is available, record the exact code status and check for related codes in other modules; multiple communication codes can help indicate a broader network or voltage issue.
  3. With the vehicle safely off, visually inspect accessible PTO-module wiring and connectors for obvious damage, looseness, corrosion, or signs of water entry. Do not disconnect powered components.
  4. Note whether the issue began after a battery or electrical-system problem, and have the battery and charging system checked if other electrical warnings or symptoms are present.
  5. If the code returns, the PTO remains unavailable, or wiring checks are inconclusive, arrange diagnosis using service information for the vehicle’s exact model, year, and engine.

When to Call a Professional

A technician can scan all available control modules, compare communication faults and PTO status, and check the module’s power, ground, connectors, wiring, and network circuits using vehicle-specific service information. Further checks may be needed to distinguish a wiring or network problem from a module fault or a temporary voltage issue.

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Commonly Asked Questions

Does U0117 mean the PTO control module needs replacement?

No. It indicates lost communication with the module, not the cause. Wiring, connectors, power or ground, network faults, or a temporary voltage issue can also interrupt communication.

Can I drive with this code?

That depends on whether the vehicle and its equipment can be operated safely without the PTO. Do not use equipment that relies on the PTO if it is unavailable or behaving unpredictably, and stop if other symptoms affect safe driving.

Why should other modules be scanned?

Related communication codes in several modules may point to a broader network, power, or ground problem rather than an isolated PTO-module fault.

Could the code be intermittent?

Yes. A loose connection, wiring fault, or temporary voltage interruption can cause communication to drop and later return. A technician can check whether the code is current or stored and investigate related faults.

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