Case IH F-518302-31 - ECU – Engine Control Unit (ECU): CAN communication failure between vehicle controller and ECU controller - TSC1_PE message

The Engine Control Unit (ECU) has lost communication or experienced a timeout error on the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. Specifically, it is failing to receive the "TSC1_PE" (Torque/Speed Control) message from the main vehicle controller.

• MAGNUM AFS Connect
• 240 Series Axial-Flow Combines (7240, 8240, 9240)
• Puma Series
• Magnum Series
• Steiger/Quadtrac models
• Patriot Series (250, 350)
• A8000 Sugar Cane Harvester
• A8800 Sugar Cane Harvester

1. 1

   Use the Electronic Service Tool (EST) to verify if the fault code is currently active or just a stored historical code.

2. 2

   Ensure the tractor/machine battery power supply has not been connected to an external power supply (like a jump box or improper charger), which can cause voltage spikes and communication drops.

3. 3

   Disconnect the vehicle harness from the ECU A-095 (typically at connector X-911). With the ignition switch in the ON position, use a multimeter to check for proper supply voltage on the harness.

4. 4

   Test the CAN Node A twisted-pair wiring between the vehicle controller and the ECU. Check for open circuits (continuity), short circuits to ground, and short circuits to battery voltage.

5. 5

   Visually inspect the relevant harnesses and connectors for damage, bent or dislocated pins, corroded terminals, or broken wires. Flex and wiggle the harnesses while monitoring the display to reveal intermittent breaks or shorts.

6. 6

   Check the ECU A-095 to ensure it has the appropriate and most up-to-date software version installed.

1. 1

   Power Down

   Turn off the machine and disconnect the battery to prevent electrical arcing during repair.

2. 2

   Repair Wiring/Connectors

   If the visual inspection or multimeter tests revealed damaged wiring, corroded terminals, or bent pins in the CAN bus harness, repair or replace the affected sections. (Note: OEM manuals warn that temporary wiring repairs must be replaced with permanent, sealed fixes as soon as possible to prevent water/chemical ingress from traveling up the cable and destroying the ECU).

3. 3

   Re-flash the ECU

   If the wiring and voltages are perfectly intact but the communication failure persists, connect the EST and re-flash the ECU A-095 with the latest software.

4. 4

   Replace the ECU

   If software re-flashing does not resolve the issue, the ECU A-095 has likely suffered an internal hardware failure (such as a burnt-out internal CAN termination resistor or failed communication chip). Remove the defective ECU and install a new unit.

5. 5

   Clear and Test

   Reconnect all harnesses, clear the fault codes using the EST, and operate the machine to verify that the TSC1_PE communication has been restored and the code does not return.