abeauch Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I recently purchased a used OB with 163000 miles. Didn't realize the FWD light was on when I purchased the car. Car runs smooth and shifts great. From what I've read the FWD light is on because the AWD has been disabled. Yes there was a fuse installed. I checked the transmission fluid and found it full but discolored with no burnt smell. There is no record of trans fluid change, lots of oil changes but they neglected the trans. Any way I pulled the fuse and started the car. FWD light is now off, no codes flashed while running the engine but I did not take vehicle out of park. I hope that this means there is no problem with the duty c solonoid only some torque bind. I did not want to aggrivate the problem by driving the car. Is it possible someone placed an additive in the trans to solve a problem causing the discoloration? Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tunered Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 the fluid is more than likely wore out,i know a mailman that puts the fuse in for summer deliveries with no ill effects. i would at least have the fluid changed,most here recomend a flush of the trans fluid. good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I recently purchased a used OB with 163000 miles. Didn't realize the FWD light was on when I purchased the car. Car runs smooth and shifts great. From what I've read the FWD light is on because the AWD has been disabled. Yes there was a fuse installed. I checked the transmission fluid and found it full but discolored with no burnt smell. There is no record of trans fluid change, lots of oil changes but they neglected the trans. Any way I pulled the fuse and started the car. FWD light is now off, no codes flashed while running the engine but I did not take vehicle out of park. I hope that this means there is no problem with the duty c solonoid only some torque bind. I did not want to aggrivate the problem by driving the car. Is it possible someone placed an additive in the trans to solve a problem causing the discoloration? Thanks for the help! You most likely have torque bind. Take the car out and make a tight turn left and right and see how it feels. Do a tranny flush and that usually takes care of the problem. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony_n_Ca Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 I have to ask - because you did not say: Did you test the fuse? TO be sure it is working... Also - no one up to this point has stated - Be Prepared - If your trans is an automatic trans with high mileage - And never serviced before - when one does a transmission service - this late in the game - You can end up with a trans that will not go into gear again. I have seen it more times then not. Keep us posted on what you find and what ends up fixing it. Good luck, Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 Actully it happnes, but not that often on soobies. i had mine done at 180K and it cured the torque bind and it runs great. If the transmission was any other make i would defanitly not recomend a fluid flush. i forgot about checking the fuse nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted February 17, 2006 Share Posted February 17, 2006 A fluid change should be done anyway, but I've seen two other reasons for a fuse in there. A person who works in my building had a flat and a mechanic friend put a fuse in and the spare on. The tire company that fixed it for her did not take it out. She told me it was not working as well when she went skiing. The other was a guy who saw a place for a fuse right after he bought the car. He figured he would put one in just in case. When he came over to do an oil I change I asked him why he had the fuse in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abeauch Posted February 20, 2006 Author Share Posted February 20, 2006 Good news, I removed the fuse and took it for a ride. Ran some circles in both directions, found some ice for the front wheels, hit the gas and the rear wheels engaged! Still going for the trans flush anyway but looks like I have a functioning AWD! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abeauch Posted March 3, 2006 Author Share Posted March 3, 2006 I found out the previous owner had brought the car to a Subaru dealer and they wanted 750 to fix the torque bind. Instead the owner decided to sell the car and they placed a fuse in the fwd holder. Today I flushed my own transmission and what a difference. I did a complete flush (11 qts) using a procedure I found on the web. Shifts real smooth and no noises when turning and accelerating like before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 3, 2006 Share Posted March 3, 2006 I found out the previous owner had brought the car to a Subaru dealer and they wanted 750 to fix the torque bind. Instead the owner decided to sell the car and they placed a fuse in the fwd holder. Today I flushed my own transmission and what a difference. I did a complete flush (11 qts) using a procedure I found on the web. Shifts real smooth and no noises when turning and accelerating like before. And that fixes it 90% of the time in an automatic. nipper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now