AWD repair

mycho · #1 11-25-2006, 11:12 PM

Hi,

Just bought a canadian SVx 2 months ago. She have 130 000 km on it, for a '92, it is pretty low mileage.

Anyway, I'm now reading as much threads as I can every nights and finaly found out that my AWD is not doing its job as it must do.

I did the Grass test (front wheels on grass and rear wheels on the street), now I know my front wheels can spin for 2-5 sec before rear wheels begins to receive power. it really smells like a bad Solenoid C or a bad transfer clutch.

I will get under it and open the housing to change my Sol C. 90$ is not a problem. I would like to know what else should I take a look to while I'm there ?
Any other cheap parts i sould change or check ?

Thanks for your help, tons of snow is about to fall on us up here in Québec, so I want to be ready to ride on it with all of my 4 wheels

Trevor · #2 11-26-2006, 03:20 PM

For several reasons, It would appear wise to rule out the possibility that the problem is confined to solenoid C. Is the concern simply a delay, rather than the rear not ultimately receiving full power?

mycho · #3 11-26-2006, 09:22 PM

I never tried any other SVX than mine, but I'm pretty sure that 5 seconds is not a delay. What you guys think about it ?

Trevor · #4 11-26-2006, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycho

I never tried any other SVX than mine, but I'm pretty sure that 5 seconds is not a delay. What you guys think about it ?

Is the rear end receiving full power after five seconds has elapsed?

mycho · #5 11-27-2006, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor

Is the rear end receiving full power after five seconds has elapsed?

in fact, its hard to say. On the road I can feel the front end pulling the car in the steering wheel.

I will try to jack all 4 wheels to see what happen. If the rear one never receive power I'll see it easily.

If there is no or little power transfered to the rear end, is it a Sol C trouble or should I take a look an other components

Thanks for your help guys

Trevor · #6 11-27-2006, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycho

in fact, its hard to say. On the road I can feel the front end pulling the car in the steering wheel.

I will try to jack all 4 wheels to see what happen. If the rear one never receive power I'll see it easily.

If there is no or little power transfered to the rear end, is it a Sol C trouble or should I take a look an other components

Thanks for your help guys

From what you report it would appear that rear wheel torque is lacking. You must check all components and the clutch is the most likely contender.

If you check with the car in the air, do not rely simply on rear wheel rotation under no load. Apply a little handbrake as a further check.

mycho · #7 11-27-2006, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor

From what you report it would appear that rear wheel torque is lacking. You must check all components and the clutch is the most likely contender.

If you check with the car in the air, do not rely simply on rear wheel rotation under no load. Apply a little handbrake as a further check.

Ok, thanks for the tips with the hand brake ... I'll post back when the test is done

Mr. Pockets · #8 11-27-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mycho

I never tried any other SVX than mine, but I'm pretty sure that 5 seconds is not a delay. What you guys think about it ?

I've said it a hundred times before - if there is a noticeable delay between your front wheels spinning and the rear wheels engaging, you have a problem. The original post in this thread is a good example. 5 seconds? That's huge. Even a half a second would still be significant.

I agree with Trevor - the culprit is most likely the transfer clutch itself. Don't stop at replacing the solenoid - replace the clutch as well.

subiedo · #9 11-28-2006, 08:29 AM

Didn't think much about whether I'm getting traction to all wheels til the snow hit. Rare as it is in Seattle, we got hit pretty good and coming up a small hill home, I found I too had only front wheel drive. It's a 95 "L" but has the rear diff./ driveshaft so gotta be in the mechanicals. Does the symptom of front wheel engagement only fit into this threads scenario? Would your quick opinion be look for the same faults as described above? And last, I'm entertaining a manual transmission swap, maybe early spring so wonder if the expenses of a shop repair now should be diverted toward the tranny change? Hoping those of you with some knowledge on this can comment. Thanks! Zane

oab_au · #10 11-28-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Pockets

I've said it a hundred times before - if there is a noticeable delay between your front wheels spinning and the rear wheels engaging, you have a problem. The original post in this thread is a good example. 5 seconds? That's huge. Even a half a second would still be significant.

I agree with Trevor - the culprit is most likely the transfer clutch itself. Don't stop at replacing the solenoid - replace the clutch as well.

Yes Nick is right, any delay is not right.

But it won't be the clutch itself. The clutch is self-adjusting as is all the other clutches it the box. As they wear, they get pushed together just the same as new. It will either work, or not work, there is no middle ground.

Slow reaction to drive the rear wheels can be caused by;
1. Sticking C solenoid, (should post a code)
2. Sticking transfer spool valve. ( no code, replace assemble.)
3. Low line pressure.
4. Transfer pressure leaking out at the sealing rings, between the output shaft and the extension housing.( early models, rings were modified, but don't know when.)

The only way to tell for sure is to connect a pressure gauge to the port on the extension housing to see the pressure that is being applied. This will show if it is the 'C solenoid/Transfer valve assemble', as the pressure rise will be delayed. If the pressure rises fast but the clutch is still delayed, it is the sealing rings, leaking pressure to cause the delay.

Harvey.

Trevor · #11 11-28-2006, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

Yes Nick is right, any delay is not right.

But it won't be the clutch itself. The clutch is self-adjusting as is all the other clutches it the box. As they wear, they get pushed together just the same as new. It will either work, or not work, there is no middle ground.

Harvey.

Evidently clutches do not reach a worn condition whereby they slip.

Edit P.S. Maybe this particular transmission incorporates a dog of a clutch.

mycho · #12 12-02-2006, 09:39 AM

So, first real snow has fallen up here ... I havn't been able to get up the hill to my house last night

It is now official, I getting absolutely no power to rear wheels

and by the way, while trying to get home, I got the TCU code 32 - VSS1

The power light do not flash anymore but I can still get the code using the «previous code retrieval procedure».

I already changed my front speed sensor 1 month ago (Vss2 - in the torque converter). This time I had absolutly no symptoms like the first time, no freaky speedo. Is somebody can tell me if the VSS1 can be related to my AWD problem ?

I can't find any info on the VSS1, where is it and how can I check it ?

Thanks for your help

Frank

bcpianoman · #13 12-02-2006, 09:49 AM

Make sure nobody has inserted a fuse in the AWD slot in the fusebox under the hood.

mycho · #14 12-02-2006, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcpianoman

Make sure nobody has inserted a fuse in the AWD slot in the fusebox under the hood.

I already looked for that fuse, it is not the problem.

Earthworm · #15 12-05-2006, 04:46 PM

Jacking all 4 wheels off the ground will not tell you if the AWD is working properly.

What's becoming more of an issue if the drum for the AWD clutch is sheering off. My dad has seen 2 do this and the one from my old 4EAT was cracked 2/3 the way around.

I'm not saying that's exactly your issue but definitely something to consider.