Mitsubishi: Technical Service Bulletin
Mitsubishi: Technical Service Bulletin
BULLETIN
MOTOR SALES OF AMERICA, Inc.
PURPOSE
This bulletin provides a quick up-to-date diagnostic reference for all Anti-Lock Brake
Systems (ABS) used on Mitsubishi Motors vehicles except for those having rear-wheel-only
systems.
Follow the general diagnostic instructions on page 2, and then refer to the Specific
Diagnostics for the vehicle you are interested in. These Specific Diagnostic sections, pages
6-17, tell which service manual pages to look at, describe any Technical Service Bulletins
that may apply, and provide notes that may help in diagnosis.
AFFECTED MODELS
All with four-wheel Anti-Lock Braking Systems.
CONTENTS Page
Normal Operation 2
Anti-Lock Brake Systems Diagnosis Tool Application Table 4
Special Scan Tool Instructions for Nippon 2nd Generation ABS 5
Specific Diagnostics for:
•3000GT 6, 7
•Diamante 8
•Eclipse 9, 10
•Expo/Expo LRV 11
•Galant 12, 13, 14
•Mirage 15
•Montero 16
•Sigma 17
Table of Published Technical Service Bulletins and Affected Models 18
Directory of Service Manual ABS Diagnostic Pages 19-23
NORMAL OPERATION
It is important to know enough about the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) to be able to
discuss with a customer what is considered normal operation of the system. The system
comes into play only when a wheel begins to lock up. Under all other conditions the system
is "transparent", i.e., the vehicle's brakes act as if there were no ABS. When the system
senses that a wheel is about to lock up, then it begins to modulate the hydraulic pressure in
the brake line to that wheel, allowing the wheel to continue turning. It does this in a pulsing
manner, and this pulsation is transmitted to the brake pedal, and possibly the steering
wheel as well. This is a normal operating characteristic of the system. Another
characteristic of the system is a "whine" from the electric motor that drives the ABS. This
sound is heard during each self-test sequence and also when the system is in operation.
This, too, is a normal operating characteristic of the system that occurs only when the ABS
is doing its job of preventing wheel lock-up.
Another normal operating condition occurs when the system conducts its self-check. This is
done the first time after starting the engine that the vehicle reaches a road speed of about 5
mph. A thump may be heard from the engine compartment, and if the brake pedal is
depressed during the system check, a vibration may be felt as the pedal moves during the
check. These are normal operating conditions.
The ABS warning light on the instrument panel has a normal cycle. When the ignition is
turned on, the light illuminates. It normally stays on while the starter is operating, and after
the engine starts the light goes off. If the light stays on, it signals a malfunction in the
system. However, normal braking action is unaffected even with the ABS light on.
DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES
General Diagnostic Instructions
Step #1: Verify the customer's complaint. Determine whether the complaint applies to the
ABS system or the car's service brake system.
Step #2: Eliminate the obvious. Make a quick visual inspection: master cylinder fluid level,
obvious fluid leakage, damaged wires or loose connectors. Be especially alert for evidence
of previous repair attempts, accidents, installations of alarm systems, sound systems, or
other electrical system changes or repairs that may have affected ABS wiring or
connectors.
Step #3: Be sure the generator is charging and the battery is not low. The ABS draws a lot
of current during its self-test, and a subnormal electrical system can cause the ABS light to
come on. Low generator output can also trigger Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs).
Step #4: Using the scan tool (MUT II), check and record all ABS DTCs. Note: Turn ignition
OFF before connecting or disconnecting the scan tool!.
Step #5: Road-test the vehicle with the ABS in operation. Then pull the fusible link that
powers the ABS and re-test the vehicle. By now you should know whether the complaint
relates to the vehicle's normal braking system or the ABS. Once ABS is confirmed as the
cause, reinstall the fuse and proceed to Step #6.
Step #6: Using the diagnostic information in this bulletin and the proper service manual,
take the indicated corrective action. If you are uncertain about any diagnostic results you
have obtained, please call the MMSA Tech Line 1-800-446-6064.
Step #7: Perform a system performance test to verify that it operates properly before
returning the vehicle to the customer.
Step #2: Road test the vehicle. Speed should exceed 20 mph for more than 30 seconds in
order for all self-diagnostic procedures to occur. When speed first reaches 4-6 mph, listen
for the ABS self-test. The whine of the motor and the thump or groan from the HU indicates
that the self-test is taking place. The ABS warning light should not come on during this
period. Verify normal brake system operation. Then find a suitable place to test the ABS by
applying the brake hard enough to cause the system to operate. The vibration or pulsation
of the operating system should be heard and in some cases the tire chirp as the system
alternately applies and releases the brake on the wheel that is tending to lock up.
Step #3: Connect the scan tool to verify that no trouble codes have been set during the
road test.
Step #4: Visually examine the outside of the Hydraulic Unit to verify that there are no
hydraulic fluid leaks in the unit or its connections. Verify that there are no hydraulic fluid
leaks in any part of the braking system.
NIPPON 1ST GENERATION 2-CHANNEL AWD ABS ABS Tester (Scan Tool
90-91 Galant AWD OK on models after mid-1991)
NIPPON 2ND GENERATION 3-CHANNEL FWD ABS Scan Tool (See special
91-94 Eclipse FWD instructions on Page 5)
91-96 3000GT FWD
92-95 Expo/Expo LRV FWD
92-93 Galant FWD
NIPPON 2ND GENERATION 2-CHANNEL AWD ABS Scan Tool (See special
91-96 Eclipse AWD instructions on Page 5)
91-96 3000GT AWD
92-95 Expo/Expo LRV
92-93 Galant AWD
BOSCH FWD 3-CHANNEL FWD ABS Scan Tool
95-96 Eclipse FWD
MITSUBISHI MULTI-MODE 2-3 CHANNEL ABS Scan Tool
92-96 Montero
SUMITOMO HIGH PRESSURE 3-CHANNEL ABS Scan Tool
92-96 Diamante
SUMITOMO FLOW CONTROL 4-CHANNEL ABS Scan Tool
93 Mirage
MITSUBISHI TEVES 3-CHANNEL ABS Scan Tool
94-96 Galant
NOTES:
1.The pin numbers in the ECU connector may appear to be reversed. See below or Page
35-10 in the 1992-96 Service Manual, Vol. 1 for more information. Match wire colors to
service manual schematics to assist in determining pin numbers.
2.Most trouble code numbers for 1992-95 models differ from 1996 models. 1992-95 trouble
codes are on Page 35-20 in the 1996 3000GT Service Manual; 1996 trouble codes are on
Page 35-51.
3.MUT-II can be used for all models, but for 1993 and earlier use the adapter harness
supplied with the MUT II.
4.Early 3000GT hydraulic units may exhibit moisture contamination which usually shows up
as a locked up motor, DTC #52 "Motor Relay". The HU must be replaced.
If the master cylinder is low on fluid, look at the outside of the hydraulic unit and its
connections for fluid that would indicate a hydraulic fluid leak.
5.The HU used on the 1996 models is smaller than that used on earlier models and is not
interchangeable. The same HU is used for both AWD and FWD on 1996 models.
6.On early models, if the ABS light comes on intermittently, the cause may be an ABS ECU
that reacts too precisely to front or rear wheel sensor signals. Codes 11, 12, 13, or 14 may
be displayed on the scan tool. VR-4 models built after January 1991 and SL models after
February 1991 are equipped with ABS ECU units that are less sensitive to wheel sensor
signal variations.
7.On 1995 and earlier models, the ABS warning light remains lit when the scan tool is
connected. On 1996 models, with the scan tool connected, the ABS light flashes about 10
seconds and then goes off.
8.The hydraulic control for the rear wheel "select-low" function is controlled mechanically on
1992-95 models and electrically on 1996 models.
SPECIFIC DIAGNOSTICS FOR DIAMANTE
System Type: Sumitomo 3-channel.
NOTES:
1.Codes are only detected while the scan tool is connected. Up to four codes can be
displayed at a time. Code numbers on are on Page 35-15.
2.To erase codes with the MUT-I (not applicable to MUT-II), first connect the MUT-1 directly
to the battery for the test. Then display the Function Menu. Select "#4 SPECIAL TEST".
From the SPECIAL TEST menu, scroll to and select #5 "ERASE DIAG". Answer "YES" to
the question "ERASE DIAG?". Choose "ID-NBR: 97" to erase codes four at a time. After
erasing the DTCs, momentarily stop and restart the engine, and then reactivate the MUT-I.
3.When using scan tool in a road test, if a DTC is found, scan tool data will lock up and
cannot be monitored further. Readings present at the time of the DTC will remain on the
screen. Correct the DTC cause and then re-test.
4.Diagnostics for Diamante Wagon are not included in the Diamante Wagon service
manual. Refer to the 92-96 Diamante service manual for this information.
5.Diamante wheel speed sensors are fragile. To prevent damage, remove them when
servicing the front end.
6.If the hydraulic unit has to be replaced, refer to pages 6-3 and 6-4 in the ABS Student
Learning Guide for important accumulator handling precautions, some of which are
included below.
SERVICE DIAGNOSTICS FOR ECLIPSE 1991-94
System Type: for FWD: Nippon 2nd Generation 3-channel; for AWD: Nippon 2nd
Generation 2-channel.
1992-94 models: for FWD: 1992-94 Eclipse Service Manual, Vol. 1, pages 35-9 thru 35-27;
for AWD: pages 35-28 thru 35-46. Circuit diagrams are in Vol. 2, pages 158-169.
NOTES:
1.The pin numbers in the ECU connector may appear to be reversed. See below or Page
35B-20 in the 1996 Service Manual, Vol. 1 for more information.
2.MUT-II can be used, but for 1991-94 models use the adapter harness supplied with the
MUT-II tester.
3.When the scan tool is connected, the ABS system does not function.
NOTES:
1.Circuit diagrams for the Eclipse ABS are in Vol. 2, not Vol. 1.
2.Diagnostics for FWD models and AWD models are in different sections of the Service
Manual. Look in Section 35B for FWD diagnostics. Look in Section 35C for AWD
diagnostics.
3.The pin numbers in the ECU connector may appear to be reversed. See Service Manual,
Vol. 1, Page 35B-20 or 35B-24 or 35C-18 or 35C-21 for more information.
4.In the 1996 Eclipse, the ABS warning light is on when the scan tool is connected.
5.No adapter harness is required for any 1995 Eclipse, even those with Chrysler power
trains.
6.Alternate method of erasing DTCs on FWD models only: turn ignition ON and pump the
brake ten times to erase DTCs.
(Note that this is just the opposite of what you do with the 94-96 Galant Teves system, in
which the same procedure causes the trouble code to flash the ABS light on the dash.)
NOTES:
1.Diagnostics for 1992-94 models are on pages 35-11 thru 35-50. FWD and AWD are
different. 1995 models begin on page 35-51.
2.Normal ABS warning light operation during self-check for FWD models is different from
that for AWD models. See Service Manual page 35-52 for details.
3.The pin numbers in the ECU connector may appear to be reversed. See below or Service
Manual Page 35-33 for more information.
NOTES:
1.The ABS Tester must be used for diagnosis of 1989-91 FWD models. The scan tool does
not work on these cars.
2.Either the scan tool or the ABS Tester can be used for 1990-91 AWD Galants.
3.Early Nippon ABS could not communicate with the scan tool (Galant 89-91 FWD and 91
AWD). Use the ABS Tester instead. (Galants after mid-1991 could communicate with the
scan tool.)
4.Adapter harness MB991377-01 is not needed with MUT-II but may be used if
communication problems are experienced between the scan tool and the ABS.