zyewdall Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 Tryig to fix a friend's subaru... it's supposed to be AWD -- but the back wheels never kick in. Only about 110k miles on it, and it runs awesome other than this. Had AWD two winters ago, but lost it last spring -- and now it's snowing again, so it matters. Does the fuse in this year put it into FWD, or do you take the fuse out to make it FWD.... the dealer seemed to be saying that it had lost 4wd because the wire to the fuse had come loose, and they said they put it back on, which seems to be the reverse of what I thought it did -- fuse in makes it FWD. But, they were wrong -- still no AWD (we got lots of snow to test it the last two days). Now they want $1100 for a new (used) transmission installed. What is the chance that it is just the wire, and if not, what is it? I might fool around with the wiring this weekend and see if I can get anything. Doesn't seem like the clutch packs could be burned out with this low of miles, though it's possible I guess. Can those be replaced separately from the transmission (not that we have a indoor shop right now... The dealer was also saying something about a special ceramic valve in the rear of the transmission that only the '90 - '92 4EAT's had that goes bad. I had never heard that before. Ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast I Drive Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 If the FWD fuse is in the holder, it is in FWD. Take it out, and it *should* be in AWD... Try taking out the fuse? -Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted October 30, 2009 Share Posted October 30, 2009 (edited) any chance you have a JDM replacement trans? i think they are backwards, meaning they fail in the no rear wheel drive. i have read that you put the fuse in to "lock" 4WD, which would cause binding. Edited October 30, 2009 by johnceggleston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Log1call Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 No the jap ones are the same... fuse in puts it into 2wd. If the electrics or the solenoid fails they get diff lock and go into full rear wheel drive. There are four things that make them have no rear drive.. Burnt out clutches. No hydraulic pressure to the tail-housing. Sollenoid valve stuck open. broken clutch basket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted October 31, 2009 Share Posted October 31, 2009 the FWD fuse sends a signal to the TCU to disable the AWD. The dealer doesnt know what he is talking about. What is "low miles" A clutch pack can burn out in a little as 100 miles if something is truly screwed up. Its not only mileage but age that has an effect on parts. Low miles = poor maint usually. Also mismatched tires will wipe out a clutch pack, as well as driving on a flat. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Subaru_Guru Posted November 16, 2009 Share Posted November 16, 2009 Tryig to fix a friend's subaru... it's supposed to be AWD -- but the back wheels never kick in. Only about 110k miles on it, and it runs awesome other than this. Had AWD two winters ago, but lost it last spring -- and now it's snowing again, so it matters. Does the fuse in this year put it into FWD, or do you take the fuse out to make it FWD.... the dealer seemed to be saying that it had lost 4wd because the wire to the fuse had come loose, and they said they put it back on, which seems to be the reverse of what I thought it did -- fuse in makes it FWD. But, they were wrong -- still no AWD (we got lots of snow to test it the last two days). Now they want $1100 for a new (used) transmission installed. What is the chance that it is just the wire, and if not, what is it? I might fool around with the wiring this weekend and see if I can get anything. Doesn't seem like the clutch packs could be burned out with this low of miles, though it's possible I guess. Can those be replaced separately from the transmission (not that we have a indoor shop right now... The dealer was also saying something about a special ceramic valve in the rear of the transmission that only the '90 - '92 4EAT's had that goes bad. I had never heard that before. Ideas? The clutches in the back of the trans could be worn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluedotsnow Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 ok so to my knowledge the 4eat has not changed to much from this 1991 to my 1996 lego. I'm having the same problem with only fwd and no rear wheel or awd activation just one from tire spinning at any given low traction situation. I went to albany subaru for a diagnosis only to be charged $136 for a parts list they said needed to be replaced. they quoted me at $1197 for a clutch pack duty c solenoid gaskets and pipe plus labor. I saved $500 on parts and labor through another dealership subaruparts.com and a 3rd parts shop charging a more reasonable hourly rate. I don't have alot of cash just rolling out of my pockets.... after replacing all recommended parts in accordance with the FSM the TCU no longer flashed at start up or output a duty c solenoid code 24. untill a few days ago I did not own 4 jack stands NOW I DO!!!! I waited untill the weather was wet enough to test its awd in mud to my surprise just one wheel spinning like before! so to review replacing parts recommended by dealer only turned off a light effectively. when I went back they said I never asked about the AWD system because it wasn't on the write up and that they diagnosed an electrical issue. cops were called they told me buyer beware I laughed and called B.A.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivans imports Posted March 21, 2012 Share Posted March 21, 2012 We found that if you put in the fwd fuse put it in fwd drive it 20 kms or better thiss will hold the awd soiliniod open and flush any crap that may be pluging it out. If this dosent work change the clutch pack and soliniod can be done with trany in car takes me about an hour to change clutch pack. Thiss is very commen problem caused by having diferent size tires or low tires or abuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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