AWD running in FWD?

ScottyB · #1 07-10-2009, 09:42 AM

So i've got a whine comming from the front end which i'm pretty sure is the front diff from what i've read so far. Yesterday I put the car up on jacks and noticed that only the front wheels have power when in drive. Also in neutral, the front tires spin while the car is at idle. And when I rev the engine in neutral the tires spin faster. So it seems that something is gripping in the transmission that shouldn't while the car is in neutral. And for some reason my AWD is running in FWD and this seems to have caused some damage to my front diff. So I wanted to see what people think is causing this and what would be the things to check before I take out the tranny. Thanks in advance

NiftySVX · #2 07-10-2009, 11:58 AM

You most likely have a duty C failure. If the rear wheels don't spin, try giving it a little throttle. Anything off idle should cause the TCU to manipulate the transfer clutch circuit to equalize wheel speed. Once they start to spin they should continue at the same speed as the front, though the front diff is open so one front wheel may stop or turn faster than the other. Crawl under the car with it in a moving gear and you should hear the duty c solenoid buzzing like a bee inside the tail of the trans. You can shift it from N-D and hear it start and stop. Solenoid is off when in N or P and on everywhere else. It is normal for the wheels to turn while in P or N with no resistance, simply due to the very weak viscous effect of the clutch packs.

NiftySVX · #3 07-10-2009, 11:59 AM

Oh, and my trademark duty C test should be performed with the key on engine off. Look for a how to coming this weekend.

Green1995SVX · #4 07-10-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NiftySVX

Oh, and my trademark duty C test should be performed with the key on engine off. Look for a how to coming this weekend.

You've already posted how to do it.

ScottyB · #5 07-12-2009, 08:16 PM

Ok, I checked that out and the rear of the transmission is buzzing like a bee so I think that duty solenoid is okay. And when I give it gas, like up to 4000rpm there's still no movement in the back so I think it's safe to say it's not working right...

I also wanted to see how to pull the TCU codes... I searched but couldn't find it in a 'How-To' or in any threads.

Oh, and when I move the selector out of P, I have to press that manual over ride button on the base of the selector to get it to go into gear. And if I try to move the selector out of park without using the manual over ride button there is this clicking coming from somewhere near the steering column or gages. So here's what happens: I grab the selector, press the button on the lever (which doesn't go in all the way) and pull the lever back and I get this click. I'm not sure if that's normal or important, but I thought I'd mention everything I could.

Thanks for all your help, I really appreciate it

y2daniel1981 · #6 07-12-2009, 08:20 PM

There are 2 buttons on the shifter, the shift button and the actual manuaul button which is the bottom of the two. The top one you should have to push in and it should give a little resistance, the bottom button should just "click" in and out and "manual" will appear on the dash when engaged. You should not have to use the bottom manual button at all. The top one you need to use anytime you want to move the shifter. So are you sure you are actually having to use the smaller, bottom, manual button?

1986nate · #7 07-12-2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2daniel1981

There are 2 buttons on the shifter, the shift button and the actual manuaul button which is the bottom of the two. The top one you should have to push in and it should give a little resistance, the bottom button should just "click" in and out. You should not have to use the bottom manual button at all. The top one you need to use anytime you want to move the shifter. So are you sure you are actually having to use the smaller, bottom, manual button?

Pretty sure he was talking about the shift lock release button

ScottyB · #8 07-12-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2daniel1981

There are 2 buttons on the shifter, the shift button and the actual manuaul button which is the bottom of the two. The top one you should have to push in and it should give a little resistance, the bottom button should just "click" in and out. You should not have to use the bottom manual button at all. The top one you need to use anytime you want to move the shifter. So are you sure you are actually having to use the smaller, bottom, manual button?

Yeah, I'm using the shift button, not the 'manual' button. When I depress the shift button, it doesn't go all the way in so I doesn't allow me to put the car into gear. That's why I use the manual over ride button or else I can't get the car to move. The manual over ride button i'm talking about is the one at the base of the shifter close to the ash tray not the button labeled 'manual' under the shift button...

y2daniel1981 · #9 07-12-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1986nate

Pretty sure he was talking about the shift lock release button

Hope so because he said manual button. But if he is talking about the shift lock then that makes a million times more sense

y2daniel1981 · #10 07-12-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyB

Yeah, I'm using the shift button, not the 'manual' button. When I depress the shift button, it doesn't go all the way in so I doesn't allow me to put the car into gear. That's why I use the manual over ride button or else I can't get the car to move. The manual over ride button i'm talking about is the one at the base of the shifter close to the ash tray not the button labeled 'manual' under the shift button...

Gotcha... broken or stuck linkage/cable perhaps?

ScottyB · #11 07-12-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y2daniel1981

Gotcha... broken or stuck linkage/cable perhaps?

Perhaps, but that's not really my major concern right now. I was just putting out all the things out there that seemed abnormal because maybe that would help lead to the problem.

The real problem is that my AWD is running in FWD and i'm pretty sure it's destroying my front diff.

oab_au · #12 07-12-2009, 09:25 PM

The C solenoid may be OK and working, but there are other things that will prevent it for engaging the rear wheels. The transfer valve could be stuck, there can be a blockage in the valve plate, and it can be leaking the pressure out the sealing rings, that connect it to the the clutch.
If it won't drive the rear wheels, the clutch is not working and the front diff can be at risk of damage.

Harvey.

ScottyB · #13 07-12-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oab_au

The C solenoid may be OK and working, but there are other things that will prevent it for engaging the rear wheels. The transfer valve could be stuck, there can be a blockage in the valve plate, and it can be leaking the pressure out the sealing rings, that connect it to the the clutch.
If it won't drive the rear wheels, the clutch is not working and the front diff can be at risk of damage.

Harvey.

Okay, well I guess it's time to remove the transmission and take it apart... Is there any good How-To's or diagrams as far as taking the tranny apart? My chilton's maual doesn't seem to have anything beyond a few adjustments and removal/installation.

oab_au · #14 07-12-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyB

Okay, well I guess it's time to remove the transmission and take it apart... Is there any good How-To's or diagrams as far as taking the tranny apart? My chilton's maual doesn't seem to have anything beyond a few adjustments and removal/installation.

You only have to remove the rear section to get to the Transfer clutch.

Harvey.