OBD Guide

C1617

AWC CAN Main Data System

Severity
🔴 High
Can you drive?
Yes, but get it checked soon
Approx. repair cost
$33–333 (est.)

Symptoms

  • AWD or AWC light is on
  • Multiple error codes in different vehicle systems
  • Disabling all-wheel drive
  • Unstable operation of the speedometer or tachometer
  • Loss of communication with one or more ECUs during diagnostics

Causes

  • Damage to CAN bus wires (High/Low)
  • Faulty or broken CAN termination resistor
  • Failure of one of the ECUs connected to the bus
  • Oxidation of connectors in the CAN bus circuit
  • AWC control unit malfunction

How to Fix

  1. Connect a multi-system scanner and read codes from all computers
  2. Check the CAN-High and CAN-Low signals with an oscilloscope for compliance with the standard
  3. Measure the resistance of the CAN bus between the contacts (normal ~60 Ohm)
  4. Inspect the CAN connectors and wiring in the area of the AWC unit
  5. Check the power and ground of the AWC control unit
  6. Contact your dealer for software diagnostics of the CAN bus

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