Tranny Gurus - Put on you thinking caps. (possible prob with removing resistor)
 

I just got back from a 600 mile trip to seattle - and realize my AWD wasn't working - at all.

I've notice that the wheels slipped just the slightest bit when I punched the gas before the rears caught on with a thunk - now that I'm thinking about it - it started when I unplugged my resistor.

This has obviously gotten worse as the rear wheels are not catching at all anymore.

At first I though that this could have nothing to do with it - until I did a search on AWD failing - several unconnected posts have all said the same thing - the issue went away when the plugged thier resistor back in...

I'm a bit concerned that I have now totally worn out my transfer clutch. (Seattle has VERY wet freeways - the wheelspin just while hydroplaning could have been enough to toast it)

Any of you who have unplugged your resistor - have you noticed any abnormalities with your AWD?

Any advice - experience is welcomed.


Thanks.
Patrick.

It seems there are 2 main problems with the AWD:

1. clutches wearing out and
2. defective Duty Solenoid C

I never fixed mine but changed the tranny once the high clutch gave up. My symptoms were binding, delay in engaging the rear wheels and a light thump of the clutches letting go while sitting at a red light.

I'm willing to bet it's the solenoid.

The AWD failed in my 1995 SVX about 2 weeks after i unplugged the resistor. I figured it was not related, but from then on i kept the resistor plugged in anyway.

Mike

Unplugging the resistor could cause a failure in solenoid A.

Can't help with the idea of solenoid C or the transfer clutch going bad (due to increased line pressure?).

Looks like we might be seeing a trend here. This could be important.

Did the AWD come back after you reconnected the resistor Green?

Well - I plugged the resistor back in - AWD is back like nothing ever happened... No slips (even in gravel)

This leaves me to encourage caution when unplugging the resistor... I don't know why - but AWD fails on some cars over about a two week period with the resistor unplugged... Do it at yout own risk with this in mind -

It looks like this "free mod" needs to be more heavily reasearched.

-Patrick.

Resistor off 2 months just the occaisional hard shift like Im on it and then let off fast, but otherwise the power lite turns off and the trans slips after about 2 starts

... robbing Peter to pay Paul... i can't think of why the resisitor would affect the transfer clutch...

I can't either music.


It must have something to do with to much line pressure.

When I got in my accident it seemed like AWD was not present. Gobbs of understear... I wish I would have known this sooner.

Even though the connection between the solenoid and the transfer clutch are hard to fathom, I'm plugging mine back in. This seems to be proof enough that the two are related. Untill someone can show that these are unrelated, I'm reconnecting that resistor and leaving it that way.

I'm not taking chances on my second SVX!

First,I have never had any of these problems.

However, I do remember that many years ago there was a post about someone unplugging the stock resistor and putting in a new resistor in place of the stock one. The new resistor had a different resistance (ohms) than the stock one. This option was a compromise. It seemed to give firmer shifts without slamming the shifts. That's all I remember. I think the post was on the old Yahoo SVX Club site or it could have been the Kinetic Concepts site.

OK, so does this mean I should consider NOT buying the Stage 1 Shift kit for each of my SVX's? I was ready to purchase one, and perhaps two of them, but now I'm not so sure. Or does the resistor in the Stage 1 kit not have this problem? I SURE don't want to sacrifice the all-whell drive for a smoother shift.
Mark

'94 LSi Barcelona Red 135,000 miles
'92 LS-L Dark Teal 35,000 miles
'87 Supra 124,000 miles
'85 Audi 4000 124,000 miles

I've had it in 2 SVX's now and so far it has caused no AWD problems. Remeber that with this shift kit its not running full line presure all the time like when the resistor is unplugged. It only turns up the line presure when you get into the throttle.

I think smallcar shift kit sales are about to go up.

Well, at least by two units. I've always wanted to try this kit, and was concerned about removing the resistor without putting something back in it's place. Especially when I read about cars having trouble finding gears on a downshift. So it looks like I'm sold.
Thanks