Remote four-wheel-drive travel creates a simple diagnostic problem: a warning light can stop the trip long before a broken mechanical part does. David Abela connected the iCarsoft CR Max P to a 2009 Mitsubishi Pajero 3.2-liter turbo diesel, ran a complete vehicle scan and found two real issues. The transfer-box fault cleared. The SRS fault did not.
Watch the complete CR Max P walkthrough and Pajero scan
The video runs for 35 minutes and 33 seconds. The hands-on Pajero diagnostic session begins after the hardware and menu tour, at about 19:40.
A large scanner that is meant to stay in the vehicle
The CR Max P arrives in a fitted case with the 10-inch tablet, wireless VCI, charging equipment and DoIP accessories. The presenter also received the optional battery tester and videoscope, but neither accessory is used in this scan.
The current iCarsoft U.S. page lists a 10-inch 1280 x 800 display, 64 GB storage, a 10,000 mAh battery, 58 makes, CAN-FD, DoIP and lifetime free updates. The tablet can store vehicle history, screenshots and reports. Those records are especially useful when a fault is intermittent and cannot be reproduced at a workshop.
The VCI light turns green when the connection is established. During first use, the tablet also updates the VCI firmware. The process completes in the video, but any firmware update should be done with stable Wi-Fi and adequate vehicle and tablet voltage.
AutoVIN failed, but the scan did not stop
The first VIN read fails. The reviewer then enters the vehicle information manually and selects a 2009 Pajero with the 4M41 3.2-liter turbo-diesel engine. The selected details match the vehicle, and the diagnostic session continues.
This is a better test than a perfect AutoVIN demonstration. Automatic identification is convenient, but an older vehicle, regional model or unsupported VIN pattern may require manual selection. The key check is whether the correct model, engine and year are chosen before the scan.
The full scan reports two systems with faults
The CR Max P scans the Pajero modules and marks the meter and transfer box in red. Other responding systems pass. The result is a useful map: one fault relates to the four-wheel-drive system that prompted the test, and another sits in the SRS network.
| Module | Scanner result | What happened next |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Box (SS4II/E54) | C1458, SS4II T/F Position SW 3 | The code clears, and a second read reports no faults |
| Meter / SRS network | U1112, SRS-ABG CAN Timeout/Not Equipped | The entry remains after clearing |
| Other responding modules | Pass during the displayed scan | No additional fault is opened in the video |
The video's promotional thumbnail uses different fault-code callouts. This article transcribes the codes from the tablet display in the diagnostic footage: C1458 for the transfer box and U1112 for the SRS communication entry.
C1458 points to transfer-position feedback, not an automatic parts order
The transfer-box screen shows C1458 with the label SS4II T/F Position SW 3. The wording directs attention to the Super Select 4WD II transfer-position switch feedback. It does not prove that switch 3 itself is the only possible cause. The circuit also includes connectors, wiring, actuator movement, mechanical position and module interpretation.
The presenter clears the fault memory, exits the module and scans again. The transfer-box fault disappears. A direct reread then returns "No fault codes found." That is a successful clear and a useful baseline for a road test. It is not a repair.
The reviewer discusses using bidirectional control if the transfer mechanism becomes stuck between commanded and reported positions. No transfer-case actuator test is shown in this video. Buyers should not treat the discussion as proof that a specific Pajero actuation is available. Confirm the exact function for the vehicle and use the Mitsubishi procedure before commanding the mechanism.
U1112 stays, which is the honest result
The SRS-related entry does not clear. The displayed code is U1112, labeled SRS-ABG CAN Timeout/Not Equipped. A persistent communication code needs a diagnosis of module presence, power, grounds, network wiring, connectors and vehicle configuration. Repeatedly erasing it does not make the restraint system reliable.
An airbag warning deserves professional attention. Do not probe SRS circuits with an ordinary test light or resistance meter unless the factory procedure explicitly calls for it. Follow depowering times and connector-handling rules.
What a scan tool can add to a remote 4WD kit
A full-system scanner can change the quality of a decision when a warning appears away from town. It can:
- Identify the control module that set the warning
- Separate current, pending and stored entries when the module provides status
- Save a screenshot or report before anything is cleared
- Check whether the same code returns after a controlled restart
- Display live position or switch data when the vehicle supports it
- Provide specific information to a technician reached by phone or satellite link
It cannot make a damaged transfer case safe, repair a failed position switch or guarantee that a cleared fault will stay away. If the vehicle loses drive, binds, makes mechanical noise or shows a safety-system warning, a scan result should not override the recovery decision.
Final verdict
The Pajero session demonstrates the reason to carry more than a generic engine reader. CR Max P reaches the transfer-box and SRS-related systems, preserves the distinction between a code that clears and one that persists, and gives the owner a specific direction for further testing.
Two limitations are visible. AutoVIN does not complete on this vehicle, so manual selection is required. The discussed transfer-case bidirectional test is not demonstrated. Neither issue prevents the scanner from producing useful fault information.
Bottom line: CR Max P is a strong fit for owners and groups that maintain several vehicle makes and need module-specific diagnostics away from a workshop. Use it to record evidence and narrow the next test, not to declare an intermittent fault repaired after one clear.
Review the live price, included hardware, Mitsubishi coverage and update policy.
View iCarsoft CR Max PFrequently asked questions
What transfer-case code did the CR Max P find?
The scanner screen shows C1458, labeled SS4II T/F Position SW 3. Treat that label as a diagnostic direction and test the circuit and mechanism before replacing parts.
Did clearing C1458 fix the Pajero?
No repair is shown. The code cleared and the module then reported no faults, but an intermittent condition can return. The separate follow-up covers the next day's off-road test.
What happened when AutoVIN failed?
The reviewer manually selected a 2009 Pajero with the 4M41 3.2-liter turbo-diesel engine and continued the scan.
Which code remained?
U1112 remained in the SRS-related system, labeled SRS-ABG CAN Timeout/Not Equipped. It requires diagnosis rather than repeated clearing.
Was a transfer-case active test demonstrated?
No. Bidirectional control is discussed as a possible response if the mechanism becomes stuck, but no transfer-case actuation is shown.
Should every remote 4WD carry this scanner?
It is most useful for groups that need multi-make, full-system diagnostics. A simpler tool may suit one vehicle and generic engine codes, while mechanical failures still require repair or recovery.
Video source: David Abela, "Don't Get Stranded! Every 4WD Owner Needs a Scan Tool - iCarsoft CR MAX P Walkthrough & Real Faults," uploaded July 10, 2026. Product specifications, price and availability were checked against the iCarsoft US listing on July 15, 2026. Vehicle and function coverage varies.
