AWD=Toast?

[Mensaf]

I couldn't find an exact answer to this while searching for some time now, so I'm just going to go ahead and ask. With the recent snow/icing, I've had to rock back and forth to get into my driveway, and when I was in an empty parking lot that was unshoveled, I decided to test the AWD out while a friend was there. He reported that the rear wheels did not move at all at any given point while sideways, and I was able to do a FWD "burnout" on a sheet of ice for a few seconds before eventually regaining traction. I felt as though it was still the front wheels that eventually gained traction.

I popped my fusebox (will try to get a picture in a bit) and took a look at the FWD fuse area. I'm not going to call it corroded, but there are definitely some kind of marks where the fuse would normally go.

At this point, I just want to know what else I can look for and check. I was eventually planning for a 6spd swap, so hopefully it doesn't turn out to be something like solenoid c or the like.

I was also reading a post about 1wd vs 3wd which I was going to get back to, but I can't find it anymore.

I appreciate any help guys, and enjoy your holiday today, if you celebrate one.

[kis86]

One thing I can think of is to get in the car and shut the door, then turn the key to the "on" position (don't start it) and listen very carefully to see if you can hear duty solenoid C. If you can, that's at least working. If not, your solenoid isn't working.

Also, try putting the fuse into the FWD fuse opening and see if the FWD light comes on when you start the car.

[ensteele]

There should be an extra fuse in the box that you can use.

[Mensaf]

Originally Posted by kis86

One thing I can think of is to get in the car and shut the door, then turn the key to the "on" position (don't start it) and listen very carefully to see if you can hear duty solenoid C. If you can, that's at least working. If not, your solenoid isn't working.

Also, try putting the fuse into the FWD fuse opening and see if the FWD light comes on when you start the car.

What kind of sound should I be trying to hear? I didn't try to put a fuse in, I'm going out right now to check it.

Originally Posted by ensteele

There should be an extra fuse in the box that you can use.

Sweet. I'll be back with a pic as well of what I was talking about.

[Mensaf]

Well, I'm back. Key on, I hear some noise then a "DING" like sound. I tried it a few times, so I'm assuming that's solenoid C working. I put a fuse in the fusbox for FWD and it lit up. Apparently, the area I thought was correded is actually some kind of leftover residue or something that the previous owner put on the a/c fuse.

I did get an unexpected bonus. I was too lazy to return the fresh 10a fuse, so I threw away the old one in the A/C slot and put the new one in. I went for a quick drive to test things out, and it seems like the A/C fuse wasn't blown, but maybe old? It fixed all the problems I had with my climate control.

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by Mensaf

Well, I'm back. Key on, I hear some noise then a "DING" like sound. I tried it a few times, so I'm assuming that's solenoid C working. I put a fuse in the fusbox for FWD and it lit up. Apparently, the area I thought was correded is actually some kind of leftover residue or something that the previous owner put on the a/c fuse.

I did get an unexpected bonus. I was too lazy to return the fresh 10a fuse, so I threw away the old one in the A/C slot and put the new one in. I went for a quick drive to test things out, and it seems like the A/C fuse wasn't blown, but maybe old? It fixed all the problems I had with my climate control.

Its actually a grease to protect that fuse slot from corrosion. it is normal. If you can get into the car w/ it in a quiet garage. Turn the key to on w/o starting it while it is in the ON position lightly press the accelerator pedal and listen for a buzzing under the car. That is your sol. C working.

I am going to guess that you have either sheered the transfer clutches from thrust washer wear, clutches have totally burned out, or your X-over line for the line to the clutches has come out of its slot.

Tom

[Mensaf]

I'm on the verge of rolling over 150k on the original transmission. I guess that in itself is a miracle. Is the car driveable with any of the above situations mentioned? I use it as a commuter, and I'm not going to have the funds for the swap until May finally rolls around. Worst case scenrio would be an auto replacement and delay I suppose.

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by Mensaf

I'm on the verge of rolling over 150k on the original transmission. I guess that in itself is a miracle. Is the car driveable with any of the above situations mentioned? I use it as a commuter, and I'm not going to have the funds for the swap until May finally rolls around. Worst case scenrio would be an auto replacement and delay I suppose.

Well, yes, it will drive normally. Just don't go doing burnouts and stressing the transmission too much. The extra stress on the front differential can lead to failure. Knowing what it is for sure is definitely the best thing, because if the line did indeed come out, your line pressure in the transmission could be changed and low pressure could do damage to the trans.

Tom

[Mensaf]

I don't normally do anything stupid (like a fwd burnout :-\) unless I'm checking for stuff. I'm going to try and zero in on the problem while I'm still on break. Fun.

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by TomsSVX

If you can get into the car w/ it in a quiet garage. Turn the key to on w/o starting it while it is in the ON position lightly press the accelerator pedal and listen for a buzzing under the car. That is your sol. C working.

I am going to guess that you have either sheered the transfer clutches from thrust washer wear, clutches have totally burned out, or your X-over line for the line to the clutches has come out of its slot.

Tom

" listen for a buzzing under the car. That is your sol. C working."

Along with solenoid A and solenoid B. The A and C buzzing respond to throttle position. You have to do it with the FWD fuse in and out, to detect the difference in the C solenoid sound.

I'll guess at the transfer valve stuck.

Harvey.