I recently purchased a 1999 Outback with an automatic transmission that had been towed about 20-miles with the front wheels off the ground on a tow-dolly due to engine damage. The FWD fuse was installed. Several members of this fourm have suggested either transfer case or automatic transmission damage has likely occured. Can anyone expand on the potential damage that may have occured? Sounds like a bad day for me!

the damage should be localized to the rear clutch pack in the automatic transmission.

 

I would file a claim against the towing company, and make sure they fix your car.

The FWD fuse is supposed to lock out the drive to the rear wheels, but I would never let any 4WD car be towed. Get it on a flatbed truck!

 

Do you suspect damage??

I purchased the car as-is with a blown engine. I later learned it had been towed with the rear wheels on the ground. I've got the engine apart waiting for a crank & rods, but haven't driven it yet. I guess I'll just have to wait until I get it running to assess the damage.

all the fwd fuse does is disable the circuit on the duty c solenoid, which takes away line pressure to the rear clutch pack. It is irrelavent when the engine is not running. However when the rear wheels are towed on the ground, the rear clutch packs still turn, and without lubrication by the pump in the auto tranny, you can mess them up.