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97 Outback AWD problems

Featured Replies

Hey folks,

 

New to the board, but I'm finding it very helpfull. I believe my rear wheels are either not recieving power or not enough. I've taken it to 2 different dealers, no codes coming up. If I hit the gas hard on a wet road the front wheels will spin. In the sand the front wheels bury themselves. Even I know thats not normal. Both my kids own a Subaru and their's don't do it. I'm looking for information which can help me solve the problem. No fuse in the FWD socket, and no mechanical noise. If you have some advice I'd appreciate it.

how many mikes on this car

 

 

Put a fuse in the awd holder and see what happens, the voltage may unstick a sticky solinoid. Next would be to try a transmission flush. The only other thing i can think of is a bad vehical speed sensor as the car uses two of them to make the AWD work. A tranny shop can put pressure gauges on the system and see whats going on.

Everyone relies on codes way too much, when good old fashioned diagnostics works just as well if not better.

 

nipper

  • Author

Hey Nipper!

 

 

Thanks for replying. 135k on the car. I'll try what you've suggested. Dealer mech changed the fluid (not the same as a flush). I'll try the fuse and if you could give me the location of the speed sensor's it would help. I've buried the car in the sand a few times so that might be the ticket. Last resort I'll take it to the shop and have the gages put on her.

how many mikes on this car

 

 

Put a fuse in the awd holder and see what happens, the voltage may unstick a sticky solinoid. Next would be to try a transmission flush. The only other thing i can think of is a bad vehical speed sensor as the car uses two of them to make the AWD work. A tranny shop can put pressure gauges on the system and see whats going on.

Everyone relies on codes way too much, when good old fashioned diagnostics works just as well if not better.

 

nipper

 

could it be a bad center diff?

manual trannies have center differentials, automatics dont.

 

 

nipper

ok, then why in the posts about the 4x4 switch on auto's is everyone saying that it locks the "center diff"

 

4x4 is not same technology as subaru, subaru is AWD (all wheel drive)

4x4 is not same technology as subaru, subaru is AWD (all wheel drive)

 

i never said it was. i was actually asking. i know what the difference is.

4x4 is not same technology as subaru, subaru is AWD (all wheel drive)

 

if the manual has a center diff, what's the auto have.

 

 

i know i've heard the answer to this before, but i can't recall

  • Author

Nipper,

 

Can you give me the location of the speed sensors or are they in the tranny. Mines a AT. Thanks mate.

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