subaru transmission problems

71 messages, Last post on Sep 14, 2009 at 4:09 AM

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What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Transmission, Wagon

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#19 of 71: Re: "Binding up" on low speeds while turning [wcwilliams] by ateixeira; Jun 30, 2008 (7:14 am)

Replying to: wcwilliams (Jun 28, 2008 7:04 pm)

You can test his theory pretty easily - insert the FWD fuse and see if it behaves differently.

wcwilliams (Jul 01, 2008 9:28 am)

#20 of 71: Re: "Binding up" on low speeds while turning [ateixeira] by wcwilliams; Jul 01, 2008 (9:28 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 30, 2008 7:14 am)

Forgive me for being thick about this--is there a direct link between each fuse and the solenoids??

#21 of 71: FWD Mode by ateixeira; Jul 01, 2008 (11:36 am)

No, what I mean is that there is a FWD mode, you insert the fuse pictured below, and is disengages the rear axle.

Then drive it, and observe closely to see if you detect any difference.

If you do, then it's definitely caused by the AWD system.

wcwilliams (Jul 01, 2008 12:07 pm)
- ateixeira (Jul 01, 2008 12:12 pm)
- denn1 (Oct 13, 2008 8:18 pm)

FWD Mode.JPG
470x503 (53kb)

#22 of 71: Re: FWD Mode [ateixeira] by wcwilliams; Jul 01, 2008 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 01, 2008 11:36 am)

Thanks and yes, I have done that--I have been driving the car in FWD mode for the past few weeks, and the problem has completely disappeared. So we do know that its the AWD system that is the problem, but I still get conflicting advice from mechanics and dealers:
some say it is the rear clutch that needs replacing; some say it is a solenoid that is failing to send the proper signal to the rear differential. How tough is it to isolate the proper solenoid (I now know there are about 8-9 of them) that we can test?
Does testing the solenoid involve as much labor as unpacking the entire transmission to check or replace the clutch???
Thank you!

ateixeira (Jul 01, 2008 12:12 pm)
denn1 (Oct 13, 2008 8:18 pm)

#23 of 71: Re: FWD Mode [wcwilliams] by ateixeira; Jul 01, 2008 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: wcwilliams (Jul 01, 2008 12:07 pm)

Gotcha, I was just trying to help you narrow it down, but you're well past that now.

#24 of 71: rear differential in automatic Forester by wcwilliams; Aug 21, 2008 (7:10 pm)

Hello,
I have posted messages regarding a saga I'm in about my 2002 Forester transmission. The car was binding or seizing up on very slow and sharp turns. To isolate whether it was a tranny problem, we put in the FWD fuse and ran the car on FWD, and the problem went away. My mechanic and I were hoping that the problem was the solenoid for the rear wheel drive clutch--that it was an electrical problem of the rear clutch not getting the right signal, but he has ruled out that as the problem and says it probably means my rear-wheel clutch has failed.
Questions:
1) I rarely drive in very bad conditions, and live in a town where there are no freeways--even if the snow if deep, speed limit of 30 mph makes driving relatively sane. What is the harm in just keeping that fuse in and driving the car in FWD?

2) Should I trust a dealer to replace the rear clutch and NOT tell me the car needs a whole new transmission?? Anyone out there who can give me an estimate on replacing the rear clutch? Any other Forester owners who have had this problem?

THANKS!

aatherton (Aug 26, 2008 12:43 pm)
- xwesx (Aug 26, 2008 3:49 pm)
shebay (Oct 15, 2008 6:30 pm)
- wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:08 pm)
openeyes (Oct 22, 2008 12:17 pm)
- wcwilliams (Oct 22, 2008 8:12 pm)
  - ateixeira (Oct 23, 2008 11:08 am) and 1 more...
  - openeyes (Oct 24, 2008 7:20 am) and 5 more...

#25 of 71: Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [wcwilliams] by aatherton; Aug 26, 2008 (12:43 pm)

Replying to: wcwilliams (Aug 21, 2008 7:10 pm)

"... What is the harm in just keeping that fuse in and driving the car in FWD? "

I think that fuse powers a solenoid that disengages the drive to the rear wheels. Keeping that solenoid permanently powered might burn it out.

xwesx (Aug 26, 2008 3:49 pm)

#26 of 71: Re: rear differential in automatic Forester [aatherton] by xwesx; Aug 26, 2008 (3:49 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Aug 26, 2008 12:43 pm)

That's a good thought. The FWD fuse is meant for temporary situations, such as running the spare tire for "less than 50 miles," etc.

But, you are saying that the binding went away with the application of that fuse, yet the mechanic thinks the problem is in the rear differential? Why? If the rear differential was binding, it would bind any time there was a speed differential between the two rear tires (i.e., any time you turned). It sounds to me like the issue is with the rear drive system, but in the center differential. If so, it is likely an expensive fix. You might want to look at the possibility of a used or refurbished transaxle in cost-comparison to repairing yours.

Good luck!

#27 of 71: Ball bearings by klsetzer79; Sep 02, 2008 (6:03 pm)

I have a 2002 Forester, 5 speed with 98,000 miles on it. Bought it used. Last month it started making a grinding noise first at high speeds and then it started to make sounds no matter what gear it was in. I brought it in, they said it was the ball bearings - they replaced them. Then this month I had to bring it in AGAIN for the same thing! Being a single young woman... what is going on here? They said they are going to have to take the transmission completely out, clean it and put it back in. Is it worth getting fixed for over $1,000 ? The kicker is too, at 90,000 I had a bunch of general maintainence done on the car (timing belt and the huge 90,000 mile tune-up).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

ateixeira (Sep 03, 2008 8:13 am)
- paisan (Sep 03, 2008 5:52 pm)
  - p0926 (Sep 04, 2008 3:58 pm) and 1 more...

#28 of 71: Re: Ball bearings [klsetzer79] by ateixeira; Sep 03, 2008 (8:13 am)

Replying to: klsetzer79 (Sep 02, 2008 6:03 pm)

Wheel bearings were a weak spot on the 1998-2002 models. For the 2003 re-design they switched to beefier bearings from the Legacy.

I believe they do have revised part numbers that are beefier, the key is to replace yours with that more robust design.