Hello everyone. My name is Eduardo and my wife and I own a Subaru Outback 1996 (Automatic Trans.) which I drove from California to Costa Rica in 9 days. What a great car !!!.

 

It just turned over 100K and I have one problem that nobody in this country has been able to determine. I ordered the 1996 service manual because I have worked enough in cars that I could probably figure it out myself. However, they shipped me the 96 Service Manual Supplement. I have learned through this great message board, that one can go to techinfo.subaru.com and obtain a subscription for 72 hrs and download most of what I need.

 

The problem manifests itself as follows; when I perform a very sharp 90 to 180 degree turn as when pulling or reversing from the garage, or turning right or left at a corner stop, a series of sharp "cloak" "cloak" "cloak" .... noises emerge from what it appears the rear half of the car. Again, this occurs only when making slow sharp turns. I had a competent friend mechanic check the rear differential and he said it had no signs of disturbance. I fear that it may be something related to the AWD's Transmission Control Unit. Any Suggestions??

 

Thanks,

 

Eduardo in Costa Rica

One thing I've learned from this board is that some Subarus (like mine) have a fuse which can be installed under the hood to force the AT into front wheel drive only mode. This MAY help isolate the problem. Also, are both rear tires the same size? Different diameters can cause torque bind. I suspect your mechanic would've noticed though. I'm sure others here will have more help for you.

 

 

Carl

1 Lucky Texan

Did you check drive shaft joint's? Also you might check rear brakes if you have not already.

Indeed, the whole problem started when one of the two rear tires (almost brand new) got vandalized and I replaced it with the worn spare tire. Not long after, the problem started. However, I have done rotation of tires and the problems persists. I assume that the damage has been done.

 

I will try to take off the TCU fuse tonight . I will also doble check the joints.

 

Thanks, Eduardo

Effgaro, I've learned enough from this forum to know that all of your tires must all be the same size and have almost the same amount of wear (all new or all with 35 000 kms, etc.) or you will ruin part of your running gear. Your very worn spare tire is what may have caused your problem, and must be replced first. I hope someone with more knowledge on the subject can jump in to explain the how's and why's.

i think you may have done some damage to the awd system. from what i have read, the automatics are quite sensitive to different tire diameters, and the manuals are a little more forgiving. whenever you install the spare, you are supposed to install the FWD fuse, to disengage the AWD system, and keep it installed until all the tires are the same circumference again (within 1/4").

 

for now, you should put the FWD fuse in and leave it in. it should resolve the problem and let you get around without the noise.

Thanx Theotherskip. I installed the FWD fuse and the sound went away. I couldn't find anywhere the recommended amperage of the fuse. I installed a 20A fuse. Please advice. The next step is to figure out which component of the AWD was damaged. I will keep you post it.

 

 

Thanx Again,

 

Eduardo

Yes, a 20 amp is correct.

 

If you haven't yet, do a search under the New Gen Board for "Binding" or "torque bind"

Thanx Theotherskip. I installed the FWD fuse and the sound went away. I couldn't find anywhere the recommended amperage of the fuse. I installed a 20A fuse. Please advice. The next step is to figure out which component of the AWD was damaged. I will keep you post it.

 

 

Thanx Again,

 

Eduardo

My 90 Loyale calls for a 15 AMP Fuse, but I have read a 10 AMP Fuse is sufficient.

The fuse rating doesn't matter at all. You're simply using the fuse to connect two signal wires together, to inform the transmission computer about needing to stay in FWD mode. There's very little current in these wires.