Mitsubishi P1A96
CMU09 balancer abnormal, P1A97: CMU10 balancer abnormal, P1A98: CMU11 balancer abnormal, P1A99: CMU12 balancer abnormal . M S B - 1 7 M 5 4 _ 5 5 - 0 0 1 ( 1 7 A B 0 3 7 ) 1 3 5 BA
Quick answer
P1A96 is a Mitsubishi i-MiEV battery-management diagnostic trouble code for an abnormal CMU09 battery balancer. Official Mitsubishi service information directs replacement of the Battery Management Unit (BMU) when the code is stored under its specified diagnostic procedure.
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1. What does P1A96 mean?
P1A96 is a Mitsubishi i-MiEV battery-management diagnostic trouble code for an abnormal CMU09 battery balancer. Official Mitsubishi service information directs replacement of the Battery Management Unit (BMU) when the code is stored under its specified diagnostic procedure.
2. Technical explanation
Mitsubishi identifies P1A96 as “CMU09 balancer abnormal” / “CMU09 Battery Balancing Unit.” The cited service information states that the judgment can occur after 3 seconds with the electric motor switch ON or after 3 seconds from the start of main drive lithium-ion battery charging, with the balancer allowed to operate. The supplied evidence does not establish the underlying component-level failure mechanism beyond the reported CMU09 balancer abnormality.
3. What system is affected?
Battery Management Unit (BMU) and main drive lithium-ion battery system; specifically CMU09 battery balancing.
4. How serious is this code?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
5. Symptoms you may notice
Not yet established by verified evidence.
6. Possible causes
- An abnormality reported for CMU09 battery balancing.
- The specific root cause is not yet established by verified evidence.
7. Can I still drive the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
8. Can I charge the vehicle?
Not yet established by verified evidence.
9. What you can safely do
- Arrange diagnosis and repair through a Mitsubishi-qualified EV service facility.
- Do not attempt high-voltage battery or BMU repair yourself.
10. Step-by-step troubleshooting
- Use the applicable Mitsubishi diagnostic procedure to confirm whether P1A96 is stored.
- The supplied Mitsubishi procedure states: if the diagnostic trouble code is stored, replace the BMU; if it is not stored, the check is complete.
11. When to contact service
Contact a Mitsubishi dealer or qualified EV service facility for diagnosis of the main drive lithium-ion battery management system.
12. What the service center may check
- Confirm whether DTC P1A96 is stored using the applicable Mitsubishi diagnostic procedure.
- Follow the applicable Mitsubishi service information for the BMU and main drive lithium-ion battery.
13. Possible repair or resolution
- Mitsubishi service information states to replace the BMU if P1A96 is stored under the specified procedure.
- If the DTC is not stored, the cited procedure states that the check is complete.
14. Affected vehicles
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV · 2012 · US
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV · 2014 · US
- Mitsubishi i-MiEV · 2016 · US
15. Related TSBs / service bulletins
- Mitsubishi TSB-19-54-003, published March 13, 2019, lists P1A96 as “CMU09 balancer abnormal” and directs BMU replacement if the DTC is stored.
- Mitsubishi TSB-19-54-004, published March 13, 2019, lists P1A96 as “CMU09 balancer abnormal” and directs BMU replacement if the DTC is stored.
- Mitsubishi TSB-19-54-005, published March 13, 2019, lists P1A96 as “CMU09 Battery Balancing Unit” and states the applicable diagnostic judgment conditions and BMU replacement direction.
16. Recall information
No recall relationship is established by verified evidence.
17. Official manufacturer information
Verified official NHTSA-hosted Mitsubishi manufacturer communications: TSB-19-54-003, TSB-19-54-004, and TSB-19-54-005, all published March 13, 2019. Verified applicability in the supplied data is Mitsubishi i-MiEV, U.S. market, model years 2012, 2014, and 2016.
19. Frequently asked questions
What does P1A96 mean?
It means CMU09 balancer abnormal, also described as CMU09 Battery Balancing Unit abnormality in the supplied Mitsubishi service information.
What repair does Mitsubishi specify when P1A96 is stored?
The cited Mitsubishi diagnostic procedure directs replacement of the BMU when the DTC is stored.
Is P1A96 verified for every Mitsubishi i-MiEV model year?
No. The supplied verified applicability identifies U.S.-market 2012, 2014, and 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV vehicles only.
Can the vehicle be driven or charged with P1A96?
Not yet established by verified evidence.