Mercedes-Benz Diagnose 4Matic Issues

The most common reason why 4Matic Unavlaible warning message comes on a Mercedes-Benz is due to a faulty steering angle sensor, bad transfer case, or dirty ABS wheel speed sensors. 

Other issues such as a weak battery or defective voltage regulator can also trigger the 4Matic unavailable warning message. To find out the issue, you will need to read the fault codes from the 4Matic control unit. For more help, follow the steps in the next section. 

What You Will Need to Diagnose 4Matic Problems

• Mercedes-Benz Multi-System Scanner

How to Read 4Matic Codes

1. Connect the OBD-II Scanner to the OBD-II port below the dashboard near the vehicle's hood release.
2. Insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it to the accessories ON position.
3. Select the model of the vehicle by pressing either Automatically Select or Manually Select.

    

4. The scanner will show the VIN and Car Model, press ok to continue.

    

5. Go to the Drive Menu on the scanner and Select AWD - All-Wheel Drive.

    

   
6. Select Read Codes and wait for the scanner to load.

    

7. The scanner will show different fault codes which are causing the 4Matic Issue. Press the down arrow as there may be more than one code. 

    

    

   
8. Write down all the codes. 
9. Press the ESC button and select erase codes. Then press ok to erase the stored codes.

    

10. Drive the car for a few minutes.
11. Select the Read Codes again. Any codes that come back on will need to be addressed before you can permanently clear them. 

Once you fix the underlying problem, you will be able to clear the codes, which also clears the 4Matic unavailable warning on the instrument cluster.