August 30, 20187 yr Hey guys, I have a 1984 subaru brat that I bought because it had 4wd, but when I push the 4wd button the light will light up on the dash as long as I hold the button down, but the rear end won't kick in. Any thoughts?
August 30, 20187 yr Check the power and vacuum to the solenoids to ensure they're working properly. Also check the switch as it sounds like it's not engaging in the on position. Cheers Bennie
August 30, 20187 yr Is it the 3at? If so you have to very carefully disassemble the shifter and the switch the there is a small pin in the switch that needs to be filed carefully to remove the wear. It is a brass pin about a quarter of an inch long and about 1/8th of an inch around. You may have to source another shifter if you can't repair the switch. Once that is fixed if it still does not work check the fuse then you are left with the 4wd engagement solenoid on the side of the transmission.
August 30, 20187 yr Author 4 hours ago, silverhelme said: Is it the 3at? If so you have to very carefully disassemble the shifter and the switch the there is a small pin in the switch that needs to be filed carefully to remove the wear. It is a brass pin about a quarter of an inch long and about 1/8th of an inch around. You may have to source another shifter if you can't repair the switch. Once that is fixed if it still does not work check the fuse then you are left with the 4wd engagement solenoid on the side of the transmission. By 3at do you mean 3-speed automatic?
August 31, 20187 yr 3AT is the number for 3 speed automatic transmission. If the button is like those on my newer ones, 86 and up- they are supposed to be alternate action switches. Press and stay down. Press again, stay up. 4WD active when down.
August 31, 20187 yr Author 3 hours ago, DaveT said: 3AT is the number for 3 speed automatic transmission. If the button is like those on my newer ones, 86 and up- they are supposed to be alternate action switches. Press and stay down. Press again, stay up. 4WD active when down. So should i take apart the shifter handle and check the switch before anything else? (This queston applies to prior reply from silverhelme to just couldn't figure out how to qoute 2 posts) Edited August 31, 20187 yr by Subarute1984
August 31, 20187 yr I would take care of the switch first. Everything may be working normally - you just didn't have it in 4WD long enough to tell. If you hold the button, or tape / tie it down, you could verify if the 4WD engages.
August 31, 20187 yr Author Thanks to everyone. Need to get her in good running order before the end of september. Heres a pic if you guys are interested. Shes a little rough but only 92k miles.
August 31, 20187 yr So I'm guessing auto as you haven't definitively said so. If this is the case ignore my post as this only applies to manuals from the L series - I thought yours may have had a gearbox conversion done. Best of luck getting your ride sorted! Cheers Bennie
August 31, 20187 yr Author 4 hours ago, el_freddo said: So I'm guessing auto as you haven't definitively said so. If this is the case ignore my post as this only applies to manuals from the L series - I thought yours may have had a gearbox conversion done. Best of luck getting your ride sorted! Cheers Bennie It is in fact an auto. I meant to state that in the original post but forgot. Thanks.
August 31, 20187 yr Author 2 minutes ago, Subarute1984 said: It is in fact an auto. I meant to state that in the original post but forgot. Thanks. I do have a 1979 that was in an engine fire, and I am toying with swapping the dual range case and manual tranny in to my 84 eventually. Edited August 31, 20187 yr by Subarute1984
August 31, 20187 yr Nice score dude. I have an 85, but I have updated her all the way around. If she is running good, drive her as long as you can and start saving and acquiring Ej stuff to swap over. More parts and more power, better driving, in my opinion. I have a whole front clip, "legacy struts and engine mount" with a 4" lift on my Brat. I have the 2.2T in mine. Close to firing her off. I took the original brat motor and transferred her into my 88 Rx. I have always like how reliable the ea-81 is, bummer you can't get engine parts for her anymore. No more oil pumps. So drive her until she quits, or change to the ea-82, or better an Ej engine. They only lack power and ground clearance.
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