Rear Diff Temp Light

[Martin S]

Hi guys,

Been a while since ive been on here but im back for some advice..

The last couple of days in the cold weather I’ve had my rear diff temp light come on, sometimes it happens after a couple mins driving or like this morning it came on as soon as I pulled away. Id say it cant be the diff getting too hot as obviously it can come on from a cold start.

Any suggestions? I’ve looked around online but thought id come to a more trusted source!

Cheers

[The Don]

Have you checked the oil level??

If no leaks, probably means the loom connector is shorting out due to the climatic conditions.

Try cleaning the diff cover off and spraying the temp sensor connector with WD40 or similar.

Edited January 22, 2013 by Don

[Martin S]

I've not checked the oil level but i presume its ok, if it was leaking this light would near always be on wouldnt it?

I have read a couple things about the sensor connectors getting corroded

[G.Mac]

its probably the sensor, mine decomposed just outside of warranty. Subaru wanted over £200 for a new one hence it being fitted with a blank now

[Martin S]

when i've been looking into this i've seen a couple people say that having different front and rear tyres can damage the diff? is that true? as when i bought mine it had brand new on the front but not the back.. i've always presumed the diff's are quite noisy when changing gears etc now and then

[spect]

I would have the oil checked and maybe changed anyway on a car that age. Sounds like a sensor/wiring problem but best to check anyway. Been a couple round here that have been run on no oil recently and have had to be replaced.

[The Don]

when i've been looking into this i've seen a couple people say that having different front and rear tyres can damage the diff? is that true? as when i bought mine it had brand new on the front but not the back.. i've always presumed the diff's are quite noisy when changing gears etc now and then

You have 3 diffs, front centre and rear.

If the rolling circumference is noticeably different between front and rear tyres the centre diff has to work overtime and can lead to failure.

This is one reason why rotating the tyres front to back on a regular basis is recommended to even out the tyre wear.

[Martin S]

So out of curiosity what's the signs of that sort of damage?. Am I right in saying the rear diff can be quite noisy though when gear changing, lifting on and off at low speeds... ?

[The Don]

So out of curiosity what's the signs of that sort of damage?. Am I right in saying the rear diff can be quite noisy though when gear changing, lifting on and off at low speeds... ?

Not usual, only if it has excessive backlash/wear. Changing to a decent oil like Motul can "improve" it.

do a google search using "centre diff damage subaru"

Plenty of threads - here is an example.............

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/binding-clunking-when-turning-due-center-differential-93775/

[Martin S]

Thanks. I've red a few and apparently if you do damage the centre diff the setting display light flashes on the dash. Quick update, I looked under the car after work and no signs of oil leaking. I presume the sensor is right above the drain plug? But there is another cable coming from the same place as the sensor but it is attached to the top of the diff. What is this? As the wires at the end of that are almost worn through

[The Don]

Thanks. I've red a few and apparently if you do damage the centre diff the setting display light flashes on the dash. Quick update, I looked under the car after work and no signs of oil leaking. I presume the sensor is right above the drain plug? But there is another cable coming from the same place as the sensor but it is attached to the top of the diff. What is this? As the wires at the end of that are almost worn through

Apparently there are two connectors for the diff temp sensor

Looks like it could be shorting out then....................

[The Don]

Edited January 22, 2013 by Don

[The Don]

The wire on the right attaches to an earth tag on the housing.........

[Martin S]

That's the one where I can see the damage, thanks for all the pics