anddor5

Thank you both, guys! This clears up all my questions at this point. I'll start on working with codes first, and will take it from there. Thanks again!!!

Ok, I don't mean to be stubborn, but if not overheating, then why does it happen only after prolonged drive? If I drive it short and sweet - it never has any issues. Thanks for your time! sorry, i'm new to this message board, as u can see technical issues :S

Ok, I don't mean to be stubborn, but if not overheating, then why does it happen only after prolonged drive? If I drive it short and sweet - it never has any issues. Thanks for your time! sorry, i'm new to this message board, as u can see technical issues :S

Yes ATF light flashes, and it is correct - it only happens when it does overheat. When car is cooled off, and I drive it for short time and being pretty easy on it, it doesn't overheat, so next time I start it - the light doesn't flash. All tires match, all bought at the same time about a year ago, and were rotated regurarly, in cris-cross pattern. Haven't touched the filter, not planning any time soon, unless really have to. Also, Mr. Nipper: how hard is replacing clutches in AWD unit? can it be done outside of the shop? is that pricey? any way to way to fix sticky valve and sticky Duty C without replacement? like cleaning, etc?

sure. I'll keep digging. I greatly appreciate ur tips. Thanks!!

I just tested it again to make sure: Car is completely cold. I put it in AWD mode and drove for about 10 min. Did several tight circles on a slow speeds, did a little bit of accelerations - shifts OK, no torque bind whatsoever. So, this confirms again - only happens when it heats up a good bit. Can heat sensor be at fault? I will look into solenoid replacement. Is there any documentation on how to do it? talking about visual aid

Thanks for reply, Grossgary. Yes, when it started showing these symptoms, I changed fluid immediately, but not the filter. (actually, this happened 3 yrs ago, and changing fluid fixed the issue.) The old fluid was clean, but I replaced anyway, and added 1.5 bottles of Lucas Transmission Fix (like last time). Issue seemed to go away for 3 days, but came back. Tires are pretty new, replaced them all just under a year... but i'll check into that anyway. Car has 117k I never replaced the filter - i was told that it really doesn't need to be... does it make the difference? Also, car drives pretty fine in AWD for a little bit, while its still not too hot. Since this issue started, I've noticed that even in FWD mode it shifts a little harder than it did before... is that an indicator that entire tranny getting ready to go?

Hello everyone. I'm new to this site. I have a 1998 Legacy Outback, 30th anniv. Owned it for over 7 yrs, and it's been a great car - Love it! It has a problem: Tranny shows signs of torque bind in AWD mode on tight turns at slow speeds. Putting fuse in FWD slot disables the Rear differential and problem goes away... temporarily. If I drive the car long enough (about 40-50 min) in FWD mode the car goes in AWD mode by itself. FWD light disappears from dashboard and torque bind comes back. In addition, when I put it in Park in this state, and turn off the ignition, the car makes a single jerk. When it sits for a while, cools off, and I start it, the "At Oil Temp" light flashes 16 times, then stops. Car goes into FWD mode again, drives fine until I drive it long enough to "overheat". So here are my questions: Is it tranny fluid overheating that causes it to override FWD mode by itself? What causes fluid to overheat? Can malfunctioning fluid temp sensor cause this? Is this an overheating issue at all? Please, any suggestions, thoughts, ideas - anything guys. Please, help.