Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

96 Legacy wagon w/automatic AWD shudder's.


Recommended Posts

I've noticed a shudder in the drivetrain when turning left or right at an intersection. If I give it a little more throttle it's not as bad. Is that torque bind or something? How can I fix it? It's an automatic AWD. All tire's and wheels are exactly identical.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You probably have a bad duty-c solenoid. Check the TCU codes - if the AT Temp light flashes 16 times on startup then you have stored TCU codes. There is a 6 pin black connector above the gas pedal and two grounding wires wrapped into the harness directly above that. Insert one grounding pin into the center pin on the black connector (blue with yellow trace typically), then follow this process:

 

1: Turn ignition on, apply brake, and place gear selector in 1. Turn ignition off.

2: Turn ignition on.

3: Move selector to 2.

4: Move selector to 3.

5: Move selector to D.

6: Depress accelerator pedal slightly.

 

7: Read morse codes flashes on the AT Temp light. 24 will indicate a bad duty-c. These are "stored" history codes from previous drive cycles.

 

8: Turn ignition off, then back on.

9: Move selector to 3.

10: Move selector to 2.

11: Move selector to 1.

12: Depress accelerator pedal slightly.

 

13: Read codes again. Codes given here are current faults active in the TCU on the current drive cycle.

 

GD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes. It's blinking 16 times alright. I'll do the procedure like you described. I put a fuse in the small FWD box under the hood to see if that would help, but it didn't. I put a test light there also, but had no indication of current....? Do I need to have the engine running with the trans in DRIVE?

Edited by darsdoug
Forgot something.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

The wife has been driving it regularly this past month with the bad solenoid while I'm at work. A local tranny shop gave me a ballpark bid of $800 to fix it, but I can't really afford to bite the hook. So how long do you think it will keep going before catastrophic failure and a tow truck is required? Your input will be appreciated.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The duty-c is easy to replace. You just pull off the extension housing, drop in a new solenoid ($120) and put it back together. Takes about two to three hours. I typically charge $180 labor plus the part.

 

Probably won't ever fail. People drive around with bad duty-c's for a decade with few ill-effects.

 

GD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I cruised up to Lynnwood today and saw a 97 builder. I didn't inquire about it because I was busy looking for something else and wanted to get out of there before the rain's came. Here's a shot of it. You're on for the duty c. I'll stay in touch. Cool.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...