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SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN
SUBJECT:

PCM REPROGRAMMING SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND
CATALYTIC CONVERTOR (DTC P0420 MAY BE SET)
WARRANTY EXTENSION

No:

SC−13−002

DATE:

April, 2013

MODEL:

2006 Lancer Evolution

CIRCULATE TO:

[X] GENERAL MANAGER

[X] PARTS MANAGER

[X] TECHNICIAN

[X] SERVICE ADVISOR

[X] SERVICE MANAGER

[X] WARRANTY PROCESSOR

[X] SALES MANAGER

PURPOSE
This service campaign bulletin provides instructions to reprogram the PCM with new software and, if
necessary, replace the catalytic convertor. The new software will minimize continuous over−redline
(abusive) operation by inducing the driver to up−shift or reduce throttle input.
A driver’s continuous over−redline (abusive) operation can cause extremely high catalyst temperatures,
which can damage the catalytic convertor. The damaged catalytic convertor may cause affected vehicles
to exhibit MIL illumination with DTC P0420, “Warm Up Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold” stored in the
PCM.
Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc. (MMNA) is also extending the catalytic convertor warranty on all
affected vehicles to 5/31/2014 or until 100,000 miles, whichever is longer. Refer to Warranty Bulletin
WB 2014−003 for additional details. MMNA is also offering a $50 Mitsubishi fuel card to owners that have
this service campaign completed. The card can be used at any gas station that accepts MasterCard®.
Warranty Coverage Application Examples:
1. Until May 31, 2014: Regardless of a vehicle’s mileage, a defective catalytic convertor will be warranty
covered.
2. From June 1st, 2014: A defective catalytic convertor will be warranty covered up to 100,000 miles
regardless of time. A vehicle beyond 100,000 miles will not be covered.

AFFECTED VEHICLES
2006 Lancer Evolution

CUSTOMER NOTIFICATION
A letter will be sent to all owners of affected vehicles requesting them to bring their vehicle to a local
Authorized Mitsubishi dealership to have their ECM updated with the latest software. All owners who
receive this product improvement are eligible to receive a $50 Mitsubishi fuel card. The card will be
made out to the owner’s name on the campaign claim and mailed to the address on the claim. The
owner will receive it 4−6 weeks after the campaign claim is processed. Please refer to the Warranty
Information section. A copy of the customer notification letter appears at the end of this bulletin.

REQUIRED OPERATIONS
Before starting this campaign procedure, CHECK THE VEHICLE INFORMATION SUPER SCREEN to
verify if the vehicle is an affected VIN for this campaign (C1305H) and this campaign procedure has
not already been completed.
IMPORTANT: If an affected vehicle is brought to your service department with the MIL illuminated and
DTC P0420 recorded in PCM memory, complete step 1 before proceeding. If the MIL is not illuminated
and DTC P0420 is not recorded in PCM memory, proceed directly to step 2. Before a vehicle is reprogrammed, you must always FIRST explain to the customer what the reprogram will do and get customer
permission to reprogram the PCM.
1. Conduct standard catalytic convertor inspection and DTC P0420 diagnosis.
D If the catalytic convertor is damaged and the vehicle is within terms of the warranty extension,
replace it using parts listed in the Parts Information section before proceeding with step 2.
continued
Copyright 2013, Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

(4010)

The information contained in this bulletin is subject to change. For the latest version of this document, go to the Mitsubishi Dealer Link,
MEDIC, or the Mitsubishi Service Information website (www.mitsubishitechinfo.com).

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2. Reprogram the ECM with new parameters using the following equipment:
D MEDIC laptop computer with A/C power adaptor − 520924, or MIT547708.
— MEDIC 3 Update is at 038 or higher.
— For Standalone MUT−III laptops, reprogramming database N11021 or higher.
D VCI (Vehicle Communication Interface) − MB991824.
D MUT−III main harness ’B’ (RED DLC connector & 12 pin reprogramming connector) − MB991911.
D “Engine Compartment/Control Module” label − p/n MSSF024G00.
D 128 Mb Compact Flash Memory Card − MB991853 (or equivalent)
D PCMCIA Memory Card Adapter − MB991939 (or equivalent)
3. Explain to the customer what to expect from the new software. If their catalyst convertor was
damaged, advise them the damage was due to continuous operation during over−redline fuel cut−off.
After reprogramming, a vehicle operated in the over−redline, fuel cut range for several seconds will
exhibit a much more pronounced fuel cut or power reduction (≈ 200 RPM) to induce the driver to either
up−shift or reduce throttle input.
4. After reprogramming, perform a test drive to confirm repairs.

ECM REPROGRAMMING CHART
CURRENT
PART NO.

MODEL
06 Lancer Evolution 2.0L 5M/T
& 6M/T

1860A465

ROM ID
885913 or
885914 or
885915

DISPLAY ON MUT−III AFTER
REPROGRAMMING
New Part No.

New ROM ID

1860A465

885916

PROCEDURE
If inspection confirms the catalytic convertor is damaged, replace it using the part number shown in
the Parts Information section of this bulletin.
IMPORTANT: If an affected vehicle has a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illuminated, and DTCs
other than those described in this service campaign bulletin are stored in the PCM, diagnose
and repair those DTCs per the service manual before reprogramming. DO NOT reprogram the PCM
until the reason for any other DTCs being set is corrected.
1. Gather the reprogramming equipment:
USB CABLE
VCI − LAPTOP

MEDIC−II / MUT−III
MAIN HARNESS

RED END
13−PIN REPROGRAMMING
CONNECTOR

VCI

MEDIC 3 / MUT−III LAPTOP

2. Check the underside of the hood to verify that there is no label previously installed to indicate the
vehicle has already been reprogrammed for this service campaign bulletin, TSB−11−13−003,

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TSB−12−13−001 or TSB−12−13−001REV. If it has, no further reprogramming is necessary. Submit
campaign claim using labor operation C1305H 0.3 hrs.
3. Verify the vehicle’s PCM part number is listed in the ECM Reprogramming Chart that appears
earlier in this bulletin.
a. Connect the laptop to the VCI, and the VCI to the vehicle. Turn the ignition to the ON position.
b. From the Main Menu, click on System Select.
c.

Select MFI.

d. Select ECU Information
e. Compare the ROM ID to the ECM Reprogramming Chart that appears earlier in this bulletin.
D

If the ROM ID listed is earlier (lower number) than what is listed in the table, go to step 4.

D

If the ROM ID listed is the same as, or later than (higher number), the ROM ID in the chart,
the PCM has already been reprogrammed for this concern. No further reprogramming is
necessary. Submit campaign claim using labor operation C1305H 0.3 hrs.

4. Use the MUT−III to erase all DTCs set in the PCM.
D

Click the UP arrow at the bottom left of the screen to return to the MFI menu, then select Read
and Erase DTCs.

MEDIC 3 USERS (Stand−alone MUT−III users go to step 7.)
5. Verify that your MEDIC 3 has the most current version of the reprogramming database. Starting
on the MEDIC 3 main page confirm your MEDIC 3 update is at 038 or greater.
6. If your MEDIC 3 is not to the required level, click the “Admin” tab and select “Updates.”
Follow the onscreen instructions to update your MEDIC and download the latest reflash database.
STAND−ALONE MUT−III USERS
7. Verify your MUT−III has the most current version of the reprogramming database. Starting on the
MUT−III main page:
a. Select “Special Function”, then select “ECU Reprogramming.”
b. Select “Database File Display (K−line)”. The database version is displayed in the top right corner
of the screen. Make sure the database version is N11021 or greater.
D

If the database version is N11021 or greater,
continue with “Updating the VCI.”.

D

If the database version is less than N11021, install
the latest reflash database from the YELLOW
reflash CD 2/11 issued 12/2011.
NOTE: Updating with CD 2/11 will bring your database
version to N11121.
1. From the MUT−III Main Menu, select Special
Function.
2. Select Database File Display.
3. When the Installation Check window appears, click
the check mark.
4. After the update completes, remove the Reflash
Update CD from the PC’s DVD−ROM drive and
continue to “Updating the VCI.”

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5. Click the “up” arrow in the lower left corner of the screen to return to the ECU Reprogramming menu.
UPDATING THE VCI
NOTE: You only have to transfer a reprogramming
database to the VCI once. It is not necessary to
update again until a new reprogramming
database is released.
1. Install the memory card into the card adaptor.
2. Install the card adapter into one of the PC card slots.
(You can use either slot for the card adapter.)
A ”Found New Hardware” message displays on the
monitor. Wait for the message to disappear.
3. Select “Memory card transfer” (Do not remove the
memory card from the PC).

4. Select the the drive with “\Removable Disk” and press
the check mark button.
Stand−alone MUT−III (IBM laptop) will be drive E:\
MEDIC (Panasonic laptop) will be drive F:\

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5. When the message “Check of Operation − It transfers
data to the memory card. Are you ready?” displays,
press the check mark button.

6. A progress monitor displays during data transfer to the
memory card.
7. When the message “Transfer is complete” appears,
press the check mark button.
NOTE: Data transfer will take 10 minutes or more.

DOUBLE−
CLICK
HERE

To remove the memory card:
8. Click the “safely remove hardware” icon in the lower
right corner of the screen.

9. Select “PCMCIA IDE/ATAPI Controller,” then click the
Stop button.

Stop

When the message “The device can now be safely
removed from the system” displays, remove the
memory card (press the button next to the PC card slot)
and “Close” the Safely Remove Hardware window.
10. Install the memory card adaptor in the slot at the
bottom of the VCI.

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REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURE
CONNECT A BATTERY CHARGER TO THE VEHICLE’S BATTERY DURING THE
REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURE. DO NOT ALLOW THE BATTERY CHARGER TO TIME OUT.
BATTERY VOLTAGE (AS MEASURED AT THE BATTERY POSTS WITHOUT ELECTRICAL LOAD)
MUST BE KEPT AT 12.4V OR HIGHER IN ORDER TO REPROGRAM THE ECM. MEASURE THE
BATTERY VOLTAGE AND CHARGE AS NECESSARY.
1. MAKE SURE THE USB CABLE IS DISCONNECTED FROM THE VCI.
2. Connect the VCI to the vehicle.
IMPORTANT!
Both connectors of the MUT−III main harness must be connected to the vehicle to perform
reprogramming.
! CAUTION

DO NOT DISTURB THE HARNESS CABLES OR CONNECTIONS.
INTERRUPTION DURING THE PROGRAMMING PROCESS COULD CAUSE
THE PCM TO LOSE DATA OR PREVENT FUTURE REPROGRAMMING.
3. On the VCI, select “1. Automatic rpg.” For reprogramming details, refer to TSB−06−00−004. It will
take up to 20 minutes to complete the reprogramming.
NOTE: If the message “ECU at Current Level of VCI” appears, the PCM did not reprogram. Verify
that the ROM ID is the same as the ROM ID listed in the table on page 2.
D

If the ROM ID is the same as or higher than the ROM ID in the table, the PCM has already been
reprogrammed for this concern. No further reprogramming is necessary. Submit campaign claim
using labor operation C1305H 0.3 hrs.

D

If the ROM ID is lower, verify that the correct database update is in the MUT−III and was
transferred to the memory card, and that the memory card is properly installed in the VCI.

4. After reprogramming completes, the new PCM p/n and ROM ID are displayed with the message “Turn
IG SW OFF”. Verify the new information is the same as listed in the table on page 2.
5. Check for DTCs recorded in PCM memory. Diagnose and repair as necessary.
6. Using a ball−point pen, enter the appropriate PCM part number, vendor number, ROM ID#, this
service campaign number (SC−13−002), your dealer code, and the current date on the Engine
Compartment / Control Module Label (part no. MSSF024G00).

1860A465

N/A

885916

TSB−12−13−001REV

99332

7/11/12

The Control Module Label is NOT used for this reflash. It should be discarded.

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PARTS INFORMATION
Use only the Genuine Mitsubishi Parts listed below. Please refer to Parts Bulletin 15−LE−01−13 for
additional information.
Description

Part Number

Label, Engine Compartment

MSSF024G00

Kit, Catalytic Convertor

1584A903

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