I had my 96 Outback stored for about a year, just pulled it out and the neutral safety switch is toast so it's currently removed while I'm waiting for a new one, also one of my ABS Sensors needs replacing (ABS light on). I put 4 brand new snow tires on it. Drove it in a storm yesterday, and it almost seems like i'm running in only FWD. I took my 2003 Outback out in the same storm with All Seasons and it had way more traction/less slipping, easy getting up hills, the 96 was slipping all over the place, hard to get up hills (I don't remember it driving like that a year ago) So that's why I'm thinking it's only working in FWD, but I can't see how either of the above would cause that. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

you can put the fuse in the FWD fuse holder to compare your current driving conditions to known FWD conditions.

 

if it is in fwd all the time after sitting a year, i would suspect fluid. change the ATF and drive it, maybe it will free up.

 

 

you can try unplugging the wiring connector to the trans which will put you in limp mode, 3rd gear only and 'locked ' in 4WD, to see if the rears will work at all, but if it's gummed up, that may not tell you anything.

If it's got a neutral safety switch, that means it's a 5spd correct? If it's a 5spd, no fuse, and no FWD mode.

 

Check for torque bind, in an open area like a parking lot turn the wheel all the way one way and see how hard it is to get the car moving. It should pretty much just idle along without any resistance, if it feels like you're breaking or there is a bunch of lurching, then you may have torque bind which would interfere with the AWD.

If it's got a neutral safety switch, that means it's a 5spd correct? If it's a 5spd, no fuse, and no FWD mode.

 

Check for torque bind, in an open area like a parking lot turn the wheel all the way one way and see how hard it is to get the car moving. It should pretty much just idle along without any resistance, if it feels like you're breaking or there is a bunch of lurching, then you may have torque bind which would interfere with the AWD.

 

It's actually a 2.5 Auto. It's the switch that tells the car what gear the shift lever is in (with it out my backup lights also do not come on, and I can currently start the car in any gear).

maybe with that switch removed or hosed it won't properly operate the AWD system? maybe it'll work when the new switch is installed?

 

a fluid change would probably be a good place to start.

 

i have two brand new front Subaru ABS sensors for both sides for a 1997 Impreza Outback sport. Should they be the same on your 96 Outback I will sell you the one they need since I won't be needing them.

maybe with that switch removed or hosed it won't properly operate the AWD system? maybe it'll work when the new switch is installed?

 

a fluid change would probably be a good place to start.

 

i have two brand new front Subaru ABS sensors for both sides for a 1997 Impreza Outback sport. Should they be the same on your 96 Outback I will sell you the one they need since I won't be needing them.

 

 

That's what I'm hoping. I actually drained and topped up the fluid about 1 month before I stored the car. I already purchased an ABS sensor just waiting for my mechanic to put it on.

I would find a snow covered parking lot

and do some testing.

 

Put the FWD fuse in and try some traction experiments

then remove it and do the same moves.

This should prove if AWD is functioning.

 

As for the difference:

Maybe your 2003 has LSD, mine does but it's a VDC.

 

As a side note:

I will say this about "Vehicle Dynamic Control"

I own 10 4wd and AWD Subarus and live in snow country.

Brat's, Outbacks, wagons, turbo wagons, an SS ect.

 

The VDC is by far the easieast /safest to drive in the snow

and the most controlled of all of them.

 

I'm not saying Peter Solberg would agree, but how many of us have his

control/expierence.

The VDC is by far the easieast /safest to drive in the snow and the most controlled of all of them.

they guy i bought mine from was raving about it too.

 

i hope it's a good bit different than the other EJ stuff i have. in this mountainous and continuously snow covered area i drive in the EJ stuff lacks the traction of my XT6. annoying since the family car is not going to be my XT6!

I would find a snow covered parking lot

and do some testing.

 

Put the FWD fuse in and try some traction experiments

then remove it and do the same moves.

This should prove if AWD is functioning.

 

As for the difference:

Maybe your 2003 has LSD, mine does but it's a VDC.

 

As a side note:

I will say this about "Vehicle Dynamic Control"

I own 10 4wd and AWD Subarus and live in snow country.

Brat's, Outbacks, wagons, turbo wagons, an SS ect.

 

The VDC is by far the easieast /safest to drive in the snow

and the most controlled of all of them.

 

I'm not saying Peter Solberg would agree, but how many of us have his

control/expierence.

 

I will give it a try, my 2003 is the H6 LL Bean, doesn't have VDC.

I can't remember but the "Beaners" may have come

with LSD even though the did not have VDC.

 

If you have a chance to have both rear wheels off the ground,

spin one and see if the other spins in the same direction

If so it's an LSD rear diff.

Actually, it sounds like the ABS sensors are acting as sensors for the AWD system as well. Having one gone is making the TCU think one wheel is constantly spinning/stuck?

I tried putting both front wheels on a patch of ice and back tires on pavement. Came onto the gas just slightly and the front tires just sit there spinning and the back tires don't move. So I would say i'm only running FWD.