U0246 code meaning
Lost Communication With Seat Control Module E
What U0246 means
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.
U0246 at a glance
- Check engine lightUsually not
- Emissions testNot an emissions code
- Limp modeNot expected
- Repair difficultyMedium
- Typical labor0.3 to 3 hours
- Clears after repairWhen cleared with a scanner
Symptoms of U0246
- Front seat heating and ventilation inoperative
- Seat climate buttons or touchscreen entries without response
Common causes of U0246
- Most likelyLoose, pinched or corroded connector under the front seat
- PossibleClimate seat module without power or ground (fuse)
- PossibleModule replaced or updated without correct configuration
- Less likelyClimate seat module internally faulty
Check the most likely causes first. Replacing parts by guesswork is the most expensive way to clear a code.
Parts involved
Seat module eCAN bus
What each part of U0246 means
| U | Network system: communication between the control modules (CAN bus). |
| 0 | Generic code: it means the same on every make (SAE standard). |
| 46 | The exact fault in that area. |
What to do next
- Note U0246 and any other codes stored with it: several codes together often point to one cause.
- Check for loose connectors and damaged wiring around the parts the code names.
- Check open recalls for your car: some faults are fixed for free by the dealer. Enter your VIN.
- Clear the code only after the repair. If it comes back, the fault is still there.
Buying a used car? Scan it for stored codes before you pay. A recently cleared memory can hide a problem.
Questions about U0246
What does U0246 mean?
U0246 means "Lost Communication With Seat Control Module E". Seat control module E belongs to the letters beyond driver and passenger units. It is a generic code, so it means the same on every make.
Is it safe to drive with U0246?
U0246 does not normally turn on the check engine light by itself. Watch for the symptoms above and have it checked soon.
Will U0246 fail an emissions test?
U0246 is not an emissions code, so on its own it usually does not fail an emissions test. Other stored codes or a lit check engine light still can.
How hard is U0246 to fix?
Difficulty: medium. A typical repair takes 0.3 to 3 hours of work. This is a job for a workshop.
Will U0246 clear itself after the repair?
Clear the code with a scanner after the repair. If the fault is fixed, it does not come back.