All wheel drive only working on front wheel drive

Philly0810 · #1 02-07-2011, 06:27 PM

Hi, I'm new to this but heard that it's a good tool to have if you own an SVX. I just got my second SVX after totaling my first one. I have a 92 thats all wheel drive but it have a light on that says fwd and I'm only getting power from my front wheels. Tranny is shifting strong and perfect (all gears) and has ruby red oil. Does anyone have a clue what the problem
maybe???

Cam · #2 02-07-2011, 06:37 PM

In your fuse box inside the engine compartment is a fuse labeled fwd. Pull it out. Take your car for a test drive. If you feel any binding, immediately stop and reinsert the fuse. If it binds, you may need to replace solenoid c in the transmission extension housing and/or the rear diff.

LarryIII · #3 02-08-2011, 06:34 AM

Hi Philly,

I'm in northern DE and have worked many years in center city. Maybe we can have a micro (2 cars) SVX Meet. Exactly, where are you in Philadelphia?

kwren · #4 02-08-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

In your fuse box inside the engine compartment is a fuse labeled fwd. Pull it out. Take your car for a test drive. If you feel any binding, immediately stop and reinsert the fuse. If it binds, you may need to replace solenoid c in the transmission extension housing and/or the rear diff.

Subaru dealers are familiar with binding that is a result of a car sitting up for a while and possible other conditions that can be cured with a simple fluid additive and doing some "figure 8's". Might look into that first??

Keith

Cam · #5 02-08-2011, 01:05 PM

If the FWD fuse is placed in the fuse box it will (I believe) ground out the solenoid C and keep it from functioning. You will have no power to the rear wheels. If someone placed it there, then I would say 9 out of 10 times they did not replace the solenoid. Anyone with enough understanding to change the solenoid would also have broken it in and not required the FWD fuse. You can attempt to free up the binding by doing tight figure 8's, yes. But I would first check the rear diff. If it is already toast then you do not want to have it bind anymore.

First things first, REMOVE THAT FUSE, and see what happens. If the rear diff is binding, put it back and have a shop check the condition of the rear differential. If everything checks out, you can try to take it to a parking lot and do some tight figure 8's (like keith said) to attempt and free up the binding. But if someone had the FWD fuse in there, I would say it is probably for a reason.

Philly0810 · #6 02-08-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryIII

Hi Philly,

I'm in northern DE and have worked many years in center city. Maybe we can have a micro (2 cars) SVX Meet. Exactly, where are you in Philadelphia?

Hey man I like that idea. I love these cars. I am in South Philly by 17 and Ritner.

huck369 · #7 02-08-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam

If the FWD fuse is placed in the fuse box it will (I believe) ground out the solenoid C and keep it from functioning. You will have no power to the rear wheels. If someone placed it there, then I would say 9 out of 10 times they did not replace the solenoid. Anyone with enough understanding to change the solenoid would also have broken it in and not required the FWD fuse. You can attempt to free up the binding by doing tight figure 8's, yes. But I would first check the rear diff. If it is already toast then you do not want to have it bind anymore.

First things first, REMOVE THAT FUSE, and see what happens. If the rear diff is binding, put it back and have a shop check the condition of the rear differential. If everything checks out, you can try to take it to a parking lot and do some tight figure 8's (like keith said) to attempt and free up the binding. But if someone had the FWD fuse in there, I would say it is probably for a reason.

The binding will be in the center diff, not the rear....
Try it without the fuse, and try the figure 8's (in reverse seems to work best for me) and see if it clears it up.
I can be a worn out clutch basket as well as the "C" Solenoid, both of which can be serviced with the transmission in the car.