Mitsubishi Outlander (2013+). Manual - part 418

TROUBLESHOOTING

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED 4WD

27C-42

NOTE: 

*

Tight corner braking phenomenon: When a 4WD vehicle makes sharp cornering in a paved road at 

low speed (ex. parallel parking), there is a difference in turning radius between front and rear wheels. If such 
a difference can no longer be compensated by tyre slippage, the vehicle behaves as if it is under braking.

SYMPTOM PROCEDURES

Inspection Procedure 1: M.U.T.-III cannot Communicate with the Electronically Controller 4WD 
System.

COMMENTS ON TROUBLE SYMPTOM

If M.U.T.-III cannot communicate with the electroni-
cally controlled 4WD system, the CAN bus lines may 
have a problem. If the electronically controller 4WD 
system is not in operation (in case of no 4WD opera-
tion), the 4WD-ECU power supply circuit system or 
4WD-ECU may have a problem.

PROBABLE CAUSES

• Damaged wiring harness and connectors

• 4WD-ECU malfunction

DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

STEP 1. M.U.T.-III CAN bus diagnostics
Use M.U.T.-III to diagnose the CAN bus lines.

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 2.

NO : 

Repair the CAN bus line (Refer to GROUP 
54C 

− Troubleshooting/CAN Bus 

Diagnostics Table ). On completion, go to 
Step 2.

STEP 2. Voltage measurement at the 4WD-ECU 
connector
(1) Disconnect the 4WD-ECU connector.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
(3) Measure the voltage between the 4WD-ECU 

wiring harness side connector terminals BATT, 
IG1 (Ignition switch "ON") and the body earth.

OK: System voltage

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 3.

NO : 

Repair the connector(s) or terminal(s) or 
wiring harness.

STEP 3. Resistance measurement at the 
4WD-ECU connector
(1) Disconnect the 4WD-ECU connector.
(2) Measure the resistance between the 4WD-ECU 

wiring harness side connector terminals No. 
GND1 and the body earth.

OK: Continuity exists (2 

Ω or less)

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 4.

NO : 

Repair the connector(s) or terminal(s) or 
wiring harness.

STEP 4. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Replace 4WD-ECU (Refer to 

P.27C-51

). 

Then go to Step 5  .

NO : 

The trouble can be an intermittent 
malfunction (Refer to GROUP 00 

− How to 

Use Troubleshooting/How to Cope with 
Intermittent Malfunctions ).

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Diagnose again from Step 1.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete.

No diagnosis code is set even when the 4WD-E/LOCK 
indicator lamps flash.

4

P.27C-45

Trouble symptom

Inspection 
procedure

Reference pages or 
actions

TROUBLESHOOTING

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED 4WD

27C-43

Inspection Procedure 2: Shifting the 4WD Switch does not Change the Mode.

COMMENTS ON TROUBLE SYMPTOM

•  If the drive mode cannot be switched by pushing 

the 4WD switch, the 4WD switch, the wiring har-
ness wires between the 4WD-ECU and the 4WD 
switch, the wiring harness wire in the earth circuit 
for the 4WD switch, the 4WD-ECU or the combi-
nation meter may have a problem.

PROBABLE CAUSES

• Damaged wiring harness and connectors

• Malfunction of 4WD switch

• 4WD-ECU malfunction

• Combination meter malfunction

DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

STEP 1. M.U.T.-III CAN bus diagnostics.
Use M.U.T.-III to perform the CAN bus diagnosis.

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 3

NO : 

Repair the CAN bus lines (Refer to GROUP 
54C 

− Troubleshooting ). After repairing the 

CAN bus line, go to Step 2.

STEP 2. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

The trouble can be an intermittent 

malfunction (Refer to GROUP 00 

− How to 

Use Troubleshooting/How to Cope with 
Intermittent Malfunctions ).

NO : 

Go to Step 3

STEP 3. M.U.T.-III actuator test.
Combination meter item No.5: Meter illumination 
(Refer to GROUP 54A 

− Combination Meter ).

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 4

NO : 

Replace the combination meter. (Refer to 
GROUP 54A 

− Combination Meter ). Then 

go to Step 8.

STEP 4. Resistance measurement between the 
4WD switch connector terminals
(1) Remove the 4WD switch (Refer to 

P.27C-52

).

(2) Measure the resistance between the terminals 

(Refer to 

P.27C-52

).

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 5

NO : 

Replace the 4WD switch (Refer to 

P.27C-52

). Then go to Step 8.

STEP 5. Wiring harness check
(1) Check the wiring harness between the 4WD-ECU 

connector (terminal sw-1) and the 4WD switch 
connector.

(2) Check the connector(s) or terminal(s) or wiring 

harness above for damage or other problem.

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 6

NO : 

Repair the connector(s) or terminal(s) or 
wiring harness.

STEP 6. Resistance measurement at the 4WD 
switch connector
(1) Disconnect the 4WD switch connector.
(2) Measure the resistance between the 4WD switch 

wiring harness side connector and the body 
earth.

OK: Continuity exists (2 

Ω or less)

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 7

NO : 

Repair the connector(s) or terminal(s) or 
wiring harness.

STEP 7. M.U.T.-III data list.
Check the following data list. (Refer to 

P.27C-45

).

• Item 1: AWC (4WD) control mode

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 9

NO : 

Go to Step 8

STEP 8. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Replace 4WD-ECU (Refer to 

P.27C-51

). 

Then go to Step 9  .

NO : 

The trouble can be an intermittent 
malfunction (Refer to GROUP 00 

− How to 

Use Troubleshooting/How to Cope with 
Intermittent Malfunctions ).

STEP 9. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

TROUBLESHOOTING

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED 4WD

27C-44

YES : 

Troubleshoot the combination meter multi 

information display (Refer to GROUP 54A 

− 

Troubleshooting/CAN Bus Diagnostics 
Table ). Then diagnose again from Step 1.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete.

Inspection Procedure 3: The Tight Corner Braking Phenomenon

*

 Appears with the 4WD switch in the 

4WD ECO or 4WD AUTO Position.

NOTE: 

.

•

*

Tight corner braking phenomenon: When a 4WD 

vehicle makes sharp cornering in a paved road at 
low speed (ex. parallel parking), there is a differ-
ence in turning radius between front and rear 
wheels. If such a difference can no longer be 
compensated by tyre slippage, the vehicle 
behaves as if it is under braking.

•

The vehicle is tuned so that the tight corner brak-
ing phenomenon appears at a certain level with 
the drive mode in the LOCK position.

COMMENTS ON TROUBLE SYMPTOM

If the tight corner braking phenomenon occurs only 
with the 4WD switch being on the 4WD ECO, 4WD 
AUTO position, the data received by 4WD-ECU from 
each ECU, the electronic control coupling, or 
4WD-ECU may have a problem.

PROBABLE CAUSES

• Malfunction of electronic control coupling

• Malfunction of data transmitted from ABS or ASC 

system

• Malfunction of data transmitted from the engine 

control system

• Wheel speed sensor malfunction

• Steering wheel sensor malfunction

• 4WD-ECU malfunction

• 4WD switch malfunction

DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

STEP 1. Check for the tight corner braking 
phenomenon occurrence during driving on a flat 
road
Check if the tight corner braking phenomenon occurs 
during driving on a flat road with the 4WD switch 
being on the 4WD ECO or 4WD LOCK position.

Q: Does the tight corner braking phenomenon occur?

YES : 

Go to Step 2.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete.

STEP 2. Wiring harness check
(1) Check the wiring harness between the 4WD-ECU 

connector (terminal SOL+, SOL-) and the 
electronic control coupling solenoid connector for 
damage or other problem.

(2) Check the connector(s) or terminal(s) or wiring 

harness above for damage or other problem.

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 3.

NO : 

Repair the connector(s) or terminal(s) or 
wiring harness.

STEP 3. M.U.T.-III data list
Check the data list for the items below (Refer to 

P.27C-45

).

• Item No.8: Steering angle sensor

• Item No.11: Accelerator position

• Item No.18: FL wheel speed sensor

• Item No.19: FR wheel speed sensor

• Item No.20: RL wheel speed sensor

• Item No.21: RR wheel speed sensor

• Item No.22: Yaw rate sensor

• Item No.23: Lateral G sensor

Q: Is the check result normal?

YES : 

Go to Step 5.

NO : 

Perform the troubleshooting of the ABS 
system (Refer to GROUP 35B 

− 

Troubleshooting/Diagnosis Code Chart 
<Vehicles with ABS>), the ASC system 
(Refer to GROUP 35C 

− 

Troubleshooting/Diagnosis Code Chart  
<Vehicles with ASC>) or the engine control 
system (Refer to GROUP 13A 

− 

Troubleshooting/Inspection Chart for 
Diagnosis Code . Then go to Step 4.

TROUBLESHOOTING

ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED 4WD

27C-45

STEP 4. Check for the tight corner braking 
phenomenon occurrence during driving on a flat 
road
Check if the tight corner braking phenomenon occurs 
during driving on a flat road with the 4WD switch 
being on the 4WD ECO.

Q: Does the tight corner braking phenomenon occur?

YES (Coil current in the electronic control coupling 
solenoid is 0 A) : 

Measure the coil current when 

the tight corner braking occurs. If the coil 
current measures 0 A, replace the electronic 
control coupling (Refer to 

P.27C-53

). Then 

go to Step 5.

YES (Coil current in the electronic control coupling 
solenoid is other than 0 A) : 

Measure the coil 

current when the tight corner braking 
occurs. If the coil current is other than 0 A, 
go to Step 5.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete. Then go to Step 
6.

STEP 5. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Replace 4WD-ECU (Refer to 

P.27C-51

). 

Then go to Step 6  .

NO : 

The trouble can be an intermittent 
malfunction (Refer to GROUP 00 

− How to 

Use Troubleshooting/How to Cope with 
Intermittent Malfunctions ).

STEP 6. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Replace the electronic control coupling 

(Refer to 

P.27C-53

). Then go to Step 7.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete.

STEP 7. Retest the system.

Q: Does the malfunction occur again?

YES : 

Diagnose again from Step 1.

NO : 

This diagnosis is complete.

Inspection Procedure 4: No Diagnosis Code is set even when the 4WD-E/LOCK Indicator Lamps flash. 

COMMENTS ON TROUBLE SYMPTOM

• In case that the 4WD-E/LOCK indicator flashes 

but no diagnosis code is set, the 4WD-ECU 
power supply circuit system may have a problem.

• If the 4WD-ECU power supply voltage is approxi-

mately 6 V or less when the system is in opera-
tion (always), the CPU of 4WD-ECU 
automatically shuts down. At this time, if the 4WD 
control is in operation, the system will switch the 
drive mode into 2WD gradually to protect the 
drive train. 4WD-ECU cannot set the diagnosis 
code because the CPU shuts down. In addition, 
the combination meter determines the 4WD-ECU 
time-out, and flashes both 4WD-E/LOCK indica-
tors.

PROBABLE CAUSES

• Damaged wiring harness and connectors

• 4WD-ECU malfunction

DIAGNOSIS PROCEDURE

STEP 1. Check if 4WD/LOCK Indicator Lamps 
flash simultaneously
(1) Turn the ignition switch from the "LOCK" (OFF) 

position to the "ON" position.

(2) Check that the 4WD-E/LOCK indicator lamps 

flash simultaneously when the drive mode 
selector is switched to 4WD ECO, or 4WD LOCK 
position.

Q: Does the 4WD-E/LOCK Indicator Lamps flash 

simultaneously?
YES : 

• When the drive system fluid temperature 

warning display illuminates in the 
combination meter, cool down the 
electronic control coupling.

• When the drive system fluid temperature 

warning display does not illuminate in 
the combination meter, referring to 
"Inspection Procedure 1: M.U.T.-III 
cannot Communicate with the 
Electronically Controller 4WD 
System<ECU power supply circuit 
system check> ", perform the check 

P.27C-42

.

NO : 

Referring to the Inspection Chart for Trouble 
Symptoms, perform the check 

P.27C-41

.

DATA LIST REFERENCE TABLE

M1274001000161

M.U.T.-III can read the following items among various control data (input data from each ECU and switch) 
used by the electronic control 4WD system.