My 1992 Subaru Legacy L 4WD has an issue I need help figuring out; it slows down when turning sharply, in either direction, as in when turning into a parking place.  Also when I am backing and turning sharply it sounds and feels as though it is applying the brakes.  While turning sharply moving forward, I feel a vibration some times through the steering wheel.  I just replaced front and back brakes, and there was no improvement.  The boots on the CV are fine and I hear no clunking, the boots on the rack & pinion however are torn, also worth mentioning is the power light on the dash flashes more than 8 seconds at start up, indicating a transmission issue.

Any ideas what could be the problem? 

Duty C Solenoid has failed. It is the solenoid that locks up the AWD in the transmission.

You need to put in the FWD fuse unless it's really slick outside and you need the extra traction.

What is happening is the center clutch pack is locked and when you turn, the tires are trying to turn at different speeds, but the clutch pack isn't allowing that to happen.

So it starts to bind up the drivetrain and slows down the car.

The easiest "remedy" is to plug in a 15 amp fuse into the FWD fuse holder on the front passenger side strut tower.

The proper remedy is to replace the duty C solenoid and the clutch packs in the tailshaft of the transmission.

 

Further details awaiting your response.

 

Twitch

Twitch

So I finally got around to opening the FWD fuse holder, and there is no fuse in it at all.  I will put a 15amp in as you recommended, but do you think that could be the entire problem?

you see we just purchased this car used, around the first of December.

 

Thanks

webrob

I have installed the 15 amp fuse, I understand now that it makes the car only front wheel drive, the problem persists, so I guess the center clutch pack is locked up.

Thanks for your input.

Webrob