Network, generic

U0246 Lost Communication With Seat Control Module E

Check engine lightUsually off
EmissionsNot relevant
Drive cycleNot required
Limp modeNo

Seat control module E belongs to the letters beyond driver and passenger units. Ford fills it with the front seat climate control module (SCME), which runs heating and the backrest and cushion fans of the front seats; its 2024 module list in a scan-tool release names SCME that way. On 2015–2016 Edge and 2016 Explorer weak backrest cooling was fixed by a new blower and, on Explorer, an as-built update of the SCME, after first checking the SCME for stored codes (TSB 16-0080). No maker document cites U0246 itself. A module that commands the seats, such as the body controller, the climate unit or the touchscreen module, would log it when SCME frames vanish. Heated or ventilated front seats then stop and their buttons do nothing. F is the rear climate unit (U0247); bad data from E are U0547.

Likely causes

Loose, pinched or corroded connector under the front seat
Climate seat module without power or ground (fuse)
Module replaced or updated without correct configuration
Climate seat module internally faulty

Symptoms

  • Front seat heating and ventilation inoperative
  • Seat climate buttons or touchscreen entries without response

Repair estimate

DifficultyMediumWorkshop job
Parts and labour€0–800
Time0.3–3 h

Typical range across vehicles; the real cost depends on what the testing finds.

Parts involved

seat module ecan bus

Related codes

U0247U0547U0208U0209

References: static.nhtsa.gov, oemtools.com.