No AWD...

Chiketkd · #1 06-05-2004, 10:20 PM

Well, while working on my car today, when we had her propped up off the floor completely, I started my engine and put her into drive to check whether the AWD system was working... As fate should have it, only the front wheels spun!

From doing a search and talking to Ron (Ron Mummert), Harry (Newsvx), John (Svxcess) and Mike (Rufus) today, there might be two things causing this:

1) I got an intermittant code for something electrical in my trans that controlled pressure. This is more than likely related to Solenoid C which might need replacement. However, if my line pressue is low, would this be causing my clutch pack to not engage and send power to the rear wheels?

2) The previous owner could have broken the clutch pack somehow and never got it replaced!

Not sure which one it is (or it could be both), but rufus has graciously offered to install whatever needs to be replaced free of charge! That's SVX love right there! Thanks again Mike!!!

-Chike

#2 06-06-2004, 11:07 AM

Chike,

I see AWD cars up on lifts all day long. Occasionally, I see some that are running, and in gear. They never spin all 4 wheels at once....esp. with the engine at idle. It's just a weird quirk.

Dave

HighwayUFO · #3 06-06-2004, 12:23 PM

Agreed, if you really want to see whether the SVX is spinning on all fours or not, find a little patch of loose gravel or sand, stop, and punch it and see where you go from there. If you just can't get it to spin on loose surfaces or find it difficult, your AWD system is fine.

Keith

Mr. Pockets · #4 06-06-2004, 01:00 PM

I agree with the above comments. Just because only your front wheels spun while the car was up doesn't mean anything.

I would actually not recommend putting it in gear while it's off the ground anyway - unless you're using a real lift or something. If you're just using jackstands, I wouldn't do it.

Chiketkd · #5 06-06-2004, 02:45 PM

...and my car moves forward pretty quickly when launched. The front tires do spin a bit, but I can feel a definite thrust from the rear.

However, my clutch pack may be going out/ damaged, as the power transfer isn't smooth but often comes with a slight 'jerky' sensation. This 'jerking' feel can happen while driving around corners or even under moderate to hard acceleration.

-Chike

Mr. Pockets · #6 06-06-2004, 03:28 PM

Is it a binding, or a sudden jerk?

If you're on gravel, and your fronts slip at all, I suspect that your transfer clutch is worn and will need to be replaced soon.

If you're experiencing binding in turns, that's usually indicative of a bad transfer solenoid. Does your power light blink when you start the car?

Chiketkd · #7 06-06-2004, 03:38 PM

It's always been a sudden 'jerk' sensation, even around turns. Guess it is my transfer clutch...

OBDII SVX's don't have a power light.

Thanks!

-Chike

P.S. How difficult is it to replace the transfer clutch? If the clutch is worn, will it trip a CE light or even cause an intermittant code?

Quote:

Originally posted by Mr. Pockets
Is it a binding, or a sudden jerk?

If you're on gravel, and your fronts slip at all, I suspect that your transfer clutch is worn and will need to be replaced soon.

If you're experiencing binding in turns, that's usually indicative of a bad transfer solenoid. Does your power light blink when you start the car?

Chiketkd · #8 06-06-2004, 06:29 PM

BTW, what part would I need to fix my transfer clutch?

SubaruParts.com - Transmission

-Chike

#9 06-07-2004, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chiketkd

OBDII SVX's don't have a power light.

I believe the 96 and the 97 use the "ATF" light to signal fault codes.

Dave

svx_commuter · #10 06-07-2004, 07:14 AM

I am sure that if the Subaru SVX dosen't have all four spinning while off the ground it means the RWD is not working.

Did you tap the gas when you had the wheels up? That would increase the line pressure. Did you pull the resistor by the batery? That would increase the line pressure too.

I think the next step is to measure the transfer pressure at the port in the rear of the tranny. I had a bad transfer valve solenoid 'C" in my SVX.

Chiketkd · #11 06-07-2004, 08:41 AM

red95svx, you're 100% correct. The 'ATF' does flash on the '96/'97 SVX's, and mine flashes 16 times on start up.

svx_commuter, I have disconnected my resistor to firm up my shifts, but I have a feeling that my Solenoid C and my transfer clutch are both faulty. My CE light came back on today - and the code is for my transmission (Electrical - pressure).

I posted a thread in the Mod Mania section about the WRX 4EAT tranny. It may end up being cheaper for me to just put in an entire trans with a working Transfer Clutch and Solenoid C than fix those two problems on mine.

-Chike

SVXer95 · #12 06-07-2004, 08:43 AM

Unplugging the resistor will cause the TCU to throw a code for pressure...

Plug it in, clear codes, see what happens.

Chiketkd · #13 06-07-2004, 08:49 AM

I'll plug it in this evening and reset the ECU.

Thanks!

-Chike

Chiketkd · #14 06-07-2004, 09:55 AM

I went outside during a 'bathroom break' and plugged in my resistor & unplugged my -ve battery cable. I'll see how the car drives on the way home this evening. This weekend, it took 1.5 days before the CE light came on. I'll see if it comes on again...

-Chike

Quote:

Originally posted by SVXer95
Unplugging the resistor will cause the TCU to throw a code for pressure...

Plug it in, clear codes, see what happens.

#15 06-07-2004, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by svx_commuter
I am sure that if the Subaru SVX dosen't have all four spinning while off the ground it means the RWD is not working.

You'd be surprised. The only way to get the rear wheels to spin when the car is lifted is to step on the gas. Otherwise only the fronts will spin, and even then they spin real slow.

Dave