When starting my 1996 Subaru Legacy Wagon L, the "AT Oil Temp" light flashes 10 to 15 times and then stops. The dealer says the car needs a new transfer clutch ($1400) because my viscous coupling is binding. Shouldn't I have other symptoms if something this serious (and expensive) needs replacing? The car runs greats, has had all recommended maintenance, and has 124,000 miles. Should I fix now or wait and watch?
Thanks for the advice. Regarding your last sentence: "An AT has a variable transfer clutch pack and a manual trans. has a viscous center differential." So this means an automatic transmission would have the transfer clutch but it wouldn't also have viscous coupling. My original statement that the transfer clutch is causing the viscous coupling to bind probably didn't make sense.
This may not help a whole lot, but there's a "duty C solenoid" which is known to go bad. It controls the hydraulic pressure which in turn uncouples the clutch. -Danny
The manual transmission has a viscous coupled center differntial giving
50/50 power to the front and back wheels (capable of 80/20 or 20/80 depending on tire slippage). The automatic transmission uses a wet transfer clutch which supplies 90% power to front wheels and 10% to the back under normal conditions (this can change from 90/10 or 10/90 given certain conditions). Over time the transfer clutch will wear out and fail to engage when front wheel slippage is detected (rendering your AWD vehicle a mere front wheel drive), but binding doesnt sound right. If the transfer clutch is going typically the rear wheels will be slow to engage when the tranny is cold, but may work fine when warm. Many times the dealer techs are parts replacers, and not to good with troubleshooting. There is a sensor on the tranny that controls and monitors the transfer clutch, which could be the problem. You should start by changing the fluid/filter and see if that helps.So did you replace it? I'm faced with the same thing in my 97 Outback. They told me it was probably the solenoid, to the tune of $250 to replace that. This morning I brought it in to do the work, and when they got it taken apart they said the whole transfer clutch needs to be replaced. I haven't heard the estimate yet, but it ain't gonna be pretty.
Is this a must-fix?
You could permanently disable the transfer clutch and hence the all wheel drive, but then again why have a subie if its not all wheel drive.
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