rustfarmer

Just because the FWD fuse works to activate the transfer clutch solenoid, does not mean it operates correctly when the fuse is not installed. I was having torque bind and installed the FWD fuse but at first nothing changed. After two start/stop cycles the FWD light came on and torque bind was gone. It was easy to confirm FWD mode was working as front tires now spin coming up driveway. Note that solenoid may be sticking when fuse is not used, such that torque bind comes and goes.

You are right about posting in the wrong section. Sorry, must have been having a brain fart.

Sorry for typo--My Forester is a 1998, not 89. I am going to boneyard today hoping to get entire stock exhaust. So maozebong freeing up exhaust flow by using headers, free flow cats and better mufflers, coupled with intake improvements will not help fuel mileage? I thought easy in--easy out usually is a good thing.

New to me 89 Forester has no converters, but has one bung welded in with one O2 sensor and runs great. I will try to scrounge a whole stock system, but what I really want is a way to dual out the exhaust to free things up a bit and still use cats to be Mr. Green, and have no CEL on. Hate to have to use aftermarket dual cats due to $, so what's the best fix?

Trying to fix my door locks on recent purchase I found that fuse for the locks is missing. When I put fuse in locks work, but I get a slow ticking sound like a turn signal from a metal can up under dash just to left of and above flasher module. I guess was why the fuse was pulled, to prevent draining battery (it ticks with everything off). I will pull the part from local boneyard tomorrow, but I also noticed a wire dangling loose in the same area and wonder if anyone can shed light on this part and circuit?

Thanks again. I had not noticed the pdf versions, they work much better.

Thanks to gbhrps. This is exactly what I needed. Is there a place I can buy the printed version?

Just bought a 1998 Forester and downloaded a service manual, but it only shows the SOHC engine while mine is the DOHC. The manual also has no real index and is very hard to use. Simple things such as how to remove the air cleaner top are not included and torque specs for the DOHC engine are not included. Does this forum has FSM links or downloads? I can't seem to find listings for Chilton or Haynes manuals for this car, even though they say they are for 1998 to 2002, they only show the SOHC engines. What am I missing?

Hi all, I am a new member, older mechanic but new to Subarus. Wife has a 2013 Crosstrek and I just bought two Foresters--a 1989 with 168K miles I plan to use as a daily driver, and a 2001 Forester the same color (white) as a parts car, although it runs but has a leaky head gasket. I plan to replace timing parts and water pump, valve cover gasket kit, front seal, thermostat, and fix the faulty VSS over the next week or so, and swap the back hatch, hood, and one cracked tail light as well, and also replace left front CV shaft (torn boot) and may fabricate a dual exhaust system. Being new to these engines, I have been watching youtube videos and will have many questions I'm sure. As an old wrench, I hope I can help others find and fix their problems too.