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Installing 4WD fuse = Car no longer shifts


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Hello everyone. Here's a new weird problem with our 1990 Legacy: 

 

We noticed the 4WD fuse was missing. Put one in and the car immediately stopped automatic shifting! Stays in 1st gear no matter what. Doesn't matter if car is in Manual or Auto mode, 1,2,3, or D.

 

Pulled the fuse back out and car went right back to normal shifting. I hope this isn't a sign of a much bigger problem.

 

Thanks in advance for any input you may have!   -Andy

Edited by andygraham
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Is it the fuse in the engine bay by the strut tower?

If so, that's the FWD (front wheel drive) fuse.

It overrides the Duty C solenoid and disengages rear clutch pack, which stops it from transmitting power to the rear wheels.

 

If it stopped your car from shifting, it sounds like you have a bigger problem that needs to be taken care of.

Without the fuse in, do the wheels bind when you turn corners?

Does it shift hard or delayed?

Have you checked the fluid to see if its burnt or low?

 

Twitch

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my guess is that you are not in 1st, but in ''limp'' mode and 3rd gear only. and some how the fuse is ''killing'' TCU. it should not do this but for some reason it is.

 

test drive the car with the fuse in at 40 mph and see what the rpm / tach reads. if you are in 1st it should be screaming. if you are in 3rd, not so much.

compare your results to driving with the fuse out and the selector in 3.

 

but as long as the car / trans works fine with the fuse out, leave it out.

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  • 2 weeks later...

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