AWD not working!

SVX Maxximus · #1 01-18-2009, 11:58 AM

I live in Iowa and have spent my winters enjoying the drifting in the snow. As of a couple of months ago my AWD has seemed to fowl up. It works like a FWD car now, and the front wheels will spin like crazy just as a FWD car would in snow. Only at high RPM will the rear wheels engage, and that is a bummer for safe driving... and drifting

I have checked the transmission oil level and it is full, and suggestions? Is this typical of a failing transmision? Thanks much! Jordan Kjome

stuartracing · #2 01-18-2009, 01:14 PM

Did check you TCU for any code???? Just did mine and showing a 13 code....Shift sloinoid????You might find something...
P....

Blacky · #3 01-18-2009, 01:55 PM

Your tranny is fine, it's the transfer clutch which may be in peril. If no codes are present that would be my guess
The transfer clutch and duty solenoid resposible for it's operation are in the transmission extension on the rear of the tranny.

robinhoodof she · #4 01-24-2009, 11:24 PM

I've got the same problem but no service light coming on, mine was sitting for four years before I got it, think it's just stuck...100 k on it. Is the duty solinoid IN the trany???(thinking it should be on the side) I climbed underneath mine & I see the tin heat shield, is it over top of it?

oab_au · #5 01-25-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVX Maxximus

I live in Iowa and have spent my winters enjoying the drifting in the snow. As of a couple of months ago my AWD has seemed to fowl up. It works like a FWD car now, and the front wheels will spin like crazy just as a FWD car would in snow. Only at high RPM will the rear wheels engage, and that is a bummer for safe driving... and drifting

I have checked the transmission oil level and it is full, and suggestions? Is this typical of a failing transmision? Thanks much! Jordan Kjome

You have a slow acting transfer clutch. This is either caused by a sticky transfer valve, or a slow rise in transfer clutch oil pressure, due to worn sealing rings on the clutch feed.

I would not continue to allow the front wheels to spin hard in the snow, before the rear engage. As it can cause the transfer clutch hub can shear off the transfer gear.

Harvey.

SVX Maxximus · #6 02-23-2009, 12:28 PM

So as the nearest Subaru service shop is hours away, would my local Goodyear Tire have the computer which could tell me of any faulty codes? Also, if it does turn out to be a bad transfer clutch or shift solenoid, how much do they cost? Does the engine/ transmission need to come out to put in a new transfer clutch? Thanks

Suby Fan · #7 02-23-2009, 02:51 PM

the only thing good year MIGHT be able to do is put in a new transmission.... you can check the codes your self... it is in the how to docs... eather way if it is the solenoid or the transfer clutch the transmission will need to be pulled so you might want to wait untill you have more serious transmission issues and take care of them all in one replacement

NiftySVX · #8 02-23-2009, 03:13 PM

It's your duty solenoid c. Trans doesn't have to be removed to get it out,only the extension housing. A good way to test it is to turn the car on, shift into any of the moving positions and you should hear the duty solenoid buzzing. It's hard to hear at first, but once you hear it, you'll know it. I use this method to diagnose a faulty solenoid all the time. If you hear a steady buzz (like a bee) then it's free and operating. Most likely you will hear yours buzz briefly when you first shift to R or a forward gear, then it will stop, or it won't at all.