October 27, 200520 yr A friend of mine at school has a 1990 Legacy with a 4EAT tranny. He says the awd doesnt seem to be working. When he gets the front wheels spinning, then the rear wheels start getting torque and will move the car. He had to drive up to Mt. Baker last year in 2WD and wants it to work this year. We have checked that the 2WD fuse is not in its holder. What could be wrong?
October 27, 200520 yr What is the indication that the AWD isn't working? Only that the front wheels are spinning first? What surface is he doing this test on?
October 28, 200520 yr actually it sounds right ... like its working. Its not an instant full power to both axles. The computer figures out how much power is needed to get the car moving, then it moves. Sounds like it works to me. nipper
October 28, 200520 yr Author Sorry, that last post was unclear. What I ment was that my friend can start to peel out with just the front wheels and then very gradualy torque will be transmitted to the rear wheels. The car is basically fwd until there is a large difference in speeds between the front and rear wheels.
October 28, 200520 yr all i can think of is that there is lag when the awd engages. Put in the fuse and see if there is a differnce. SSee if you have lazy awd. I would do a tranny flush first, then wonder if one of the speed sensors is bad (or how ever the car says it needs awd). But really sometimes that is not a fair test. nipper
October 28, 200520 yr Also, Put the gear selector in the 2 or 1 position and see if you notice any difference. The torque transfer is supposed to be 50/50 when the gear selector is in 1 and possibly 2.
October 29, 200520 yr I just wondered if reverse is also full time 50/50. actually, i dunno what i was thinking! lol! yeah - I probably should mix up my sig again - it's kinda getting old.
October 30, 200520 yr actually it sounds right ... like its working. Its not an instant full power to both axles. The computer figures out how much power is needed to get the car moving, then it moves. If I remember correctly, the center differential is a viscous coupling. Meaning the rear set of wheels are just along for the ride unless theres a significant difference in RPM between the input and output shafts. Differentials explained
October 30, 200520 yr Thats on a manual, and they do have a lag. I was under the impression this is an automatic, which is more reactionary and complicated as far as control. nipper
October 31, 200520 yr Yes, he did state he had an auto. I'd say the AWD is sort of working, however it may not be working optimally.
October 31, 200520 yr i dont recall if ha has done ye old transmission flush ... if he hasnt he should nipper
October 31, 200520 yr Author I will recommend the tranny flush and see what other info I can get from him on the subject.
November 1, 200520 yr Author My friend says he has done a flush and that it hasn't done anything. The back tires will only spin if thier is about a 60mph diffrence between the front and back tires. when the back tires kick they instantly break loose.
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