AWD Solenoid problem

[skinnylaveal]

Hi, my car at full lock acts as if the brakes are on hard and the tyres are biting into the bitumen. I phoned the garage and the mechanic said the Subaru's have a known problem with the AWD solenoid in the gearbox. He suggested I take it out and do a whole heap of figure 8's and hard turns and it may free the solenoid up. Is he having me on? Has anyone else had this problem. The other option is to spend $900 and have it fixed.

[StNicholas]

First off, I assume you have an automatic transmission (Posting year, model, country may help a bit,too). Continuing to drive the car in this manner with lots of tight turns will only wear the AWD unit further. Bad idea. When you can, I would put the fuse under the hood and drive it in front wheel drive mode whenever possible. Save what is left of the AWD for when you can really use it.

Nick

[skinnylaveal]

Thanks Nick...you are right, the car is automatic...1996 250T, New Zealand (Jap Import)...so correct me if I'm wrong, I can remove(?) a fuse to make the car only front wheel drive? Do you know where this fuse is? I don't have a manual.

[StNicholas]

The 90-95 auto Legacies have a spot to 'add' a fuse for FWD only. I believe the later auto Legacy offers this feature, too. On mine, I pop the hood, and look to the left at the firewall (passenger side for a left drive vehicle). There is a fuse cover labeled FWD. Put fuse in it to make it FWD. When done, there is a FWD light on the instrument panel that lights with the ignition on.

I ran wires, fuse and a switch to the interior so that I can get what is left of the AWD to activate when I really need it.

Nick