4wd 1996 subaru how do i activate or engage 4wd

check for 4wd actuator problem Check for power activation and check for vacuum line connection. Lastly check that the hubs are correctly selected as if one side has not properly engaged it will feel like there is no 4WD

it is all time 4 wheel driver there is a wire with a fuse that is in the front sets right in the strut tower. If you put a fuse in it, it is 2 wheel drive you take it out it is 4 wheel drive. As weird as it sounds that is the switch no fuse or with fuse.

I had this same problem with mine. The manual said that 4 green tires would light up on the instrument panel letting you know it was engaged and it would not when I pushed the button. I took it to the dealer and it turns out there is a vacuum hose that engages it and it was not connected. So it took them two seconds to connect it and then it worked. This happened again a year later and my dad fixed it again by doing the same thing. This is your problem more than likely. If so and you do get it fixed here's another tip: my dad mentioned that on occasion (even if not needed) engage the 4WD just to keep it "in check", meaning, if I didn't use it, I'd lose it. Oh, and make sure to THOROUGHLY read the manual's operating instructions before using the 4WD feature. Hope that helps!

those pannels go out on those! if the button goes out it wont engage. and it will shine on start up but its still out. goodluck [email protected]

make sure your 4WD switch is working.and fuse is okay.because your 4WD is control by 4 electric shift motors in which drive a rotary cam which moves the mode fork and range fork inside the transfer case to select between 2WD HIGH A4WD - 4WD HIGH AND 4WD LOW RANGE.a shift motor sensing plate on the shift motor monitors the range in which the transfer case is operating a transmission range sensor monitors the gear position of the transmission.which must be in neutral to shift into low.a pair of solenoids one for 2WD one for 4WD.mounted on the upper right firewall route vacuum to the vacuum motor which engages and disengages the center axle disconnect collar in the front axle assembly.a 4 x 4 shift motor relay module contains two GEM controlled relays which shift the transfer case shift motor between 2WD and 4WD modes.a solid state clutch relay activates the A4WDclutch inside the transfer case.

There is a solenoid uner the the frame near the trans axle that activates the splines going into the hubs. If working, it will set the light and engage. May need a manual to check wiring and fuses - Good luck

take apart and clean mud/rust out of wheel hubs.

Yes sounds like 4wd problem. To check put it in 4wd and see if it acts the same. Then check the autolock front hud's (common problem).

When a clutch goes out, it first gives a warning by slipping for a period of time. If not corrected, eventually there will be "nothing there".

How to engage 4WD on a subaru legacy 2.5 GX BVA