Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Cant tell if the AWd is working?


Guest oregonloyale
 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest oregonloyale

Hello all,

Im a newbie to this community but not to forums of this type, anyways. I have a 92 loyale EA82 wagon non turbo that has the push button AWD mechanism on the auto gear selector.

When I push the red button to select the AWd gears the diagram on the dash shows to green front wheels . Does this mean Im "in" all AWD?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Wagon Wagon

Should show green to all 4 wheels on the dash, not just the front.

 

Here's a quick way to tell if it's engaging. Don't EVER do this any other time. Running in 4WD on pavement is OK for short runs but not in the long run at all.

 

Push the 4WD button. Drive the car a few feet. Turn the steering wheel all the way in one direction or the other. Then try to drive. If the car won't move, the 4WD is engaged.

 

Once again don't EVER make it bind like that when the car is moving or just for fun, it's pretty bad for the drivetrain. Having it happen every once in a blue moon is OK, but driving like that all the time WILL damage the car.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest oregonloyale

according to my owners manual it is considered AWD not 4WD and it also says that I cab drive it for long periods of time on dry pavement. It is primarily a front wheel drive vehicle when not in AWD so that is why it is so peculiar that when I engage the AWD it only lights up the front whels on the dash diagram.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest GeneralDisorder

He has a center diff - so he can run on pavement. AWD is meant for it - won't bind. Only reason to turn it off is for fuel econemy.

 

BTW - anyone on this board actually ever damage anything from binding in 4WD? I've driven lots of old military rigs, and we bind the heck out of them. Never seen one break from it. the wheels will chirp when it gets bound to a certain point, but that's about all. Duece's are 6 wheel drive, 5 spd D/R, and I think some of ours are from the 60's. I work on them all the time, but I've never even heard of the tranny's or transfers breaking from too much bind. Just curious.

 

GD

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest northguy

If you want to find out if the awd linkage is working, go rally it on some gravel, then mud, then snow. If you make it through all three, it works.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest thesubarukid

With the car running, turn the radio off, and roll down all the windows. Press the button and listen for a clicking type of sound coming from under the car. That sound is your rear wheels engaging.

 

I also like northguys thoughts on how to check, find a gravel road and dirve around, have fun on it. That will definately tell you.

 

Maybe the other lights on your dash have burned out and just don't show up when its engaged. Kinda strange that only the front wheels turn green, so Thats my guess...

 

Kyle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest uhohru

Another way.....

 

Leave it in 2WD and (on pavement) turn the wheels all the way to one side, try to peel out. you SHOULD be able too.

 

Try it in 4WD, you SHOULDNT be able too.

 

 

Thesubarukids advice is good too, listen for the clicking noise when engauging 4WD....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest thesubarukid

If you're going to try to peel out method, I think it would be much better to leave the wheels straight, do it in 2WD, and you should be able to. Leave the wheels straight again and try it in 4WD. You shouldnt be able to do it, and if you do, it will bite the pavement MUCH quicker then it did in 2WD. With the wheels turned, I'd im agine that it would bind up the tranny...??(not positive, just from what i've heard)

 

But I still recommend listening for it engaging before trying something like that. You don't want to hurt anything if you dont have to. I'm not saying that it willl hurt it, but it <span style="text-decoration:underline">could</span>.

 

Good luck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest Flowmastered87GL

try the peeling out in gravel, its ALOT easier on the parts. Thats how I demonstrated that my 86 GL-10 4WD actually worked in 4WD, let the front tires spin, hit the button (the light was burned out) then hit the gas and the car grabbed very well. Do it pointing straight

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...