OBD Guide

C0090

4WD/AWD Power Transfer Unit Actuator

Severity
⚠️ Medium
Can you drive?
Limited driving only, diagnose soon
Approx. repair cost
$167–556 (est.)

Symptoms

  • Unstable all-wheel drive operation
  • Check engine light comes on
  • The car can switch to rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive only
  • Jerks are possible when switching drive modes

Causes

  • PTU drive motor fault
  • Problems with wiring harness or contacts
  • Transfer case control module failure
  • Mechanical damage to the PTU clutch or gears
  • Low oil level in transfer case

How to Fix

  1. Check the level and condition of the oil in the transfer case
  2. Diagnose PTU drive control circuit (resistance, voltage)
  3. Check the condition of the wiring harness and connectors
  4. Test the operation of the electric motor or drive solenoid
  5. Replacement of faulty components (drive, control module)
  6. Resetting the error and checking for reoccurrence

Related codes

Error C0090 by Vehicle Brand