0:00
Your dash says AWD system malfunction,
0:04
two-w wheelel drive mode engaged. That
0:06
usually means one of the cars will
0:08
sensors or the transfer case motor isn't
0:11
doing its job. First thing, don't panic.
0:14
The car is still drivable in two wheel
0:16
mode, but you'll want that all-wheel
0:18
system back for traction. The fix could
0:20
be as simple as cleaning a sensor or
0:23
plugging in a new motor. Tool-wise,
0:25
you'll need a basic socket set, maybe a
0:27
jack and an OBD scanner. That's the
0:30
little tool that reads fault codes from
0:32
the car's computer. No fancy gear beyond
0:34
that. Start with the wheel speed sensors
0:38
at each corner. They sit right by the
0:40
brake rotors. Dirt, rust, or a cracked
0:44
wire can throw the whole AWD system off.
0:47
Unplug the sensor, check for corrosion,
0:50
wipe it down, and make sure the wire
0:52
isn't chewed up. A bad sensor is cheap
0:55
to replace and takes maybe 20 minutes
0:57
per wheel. If all four sensors look
0:59
good, move to the transfer case motor.
1:02
That's the little electric motor bolted
1:04
on the back of the transmission that
1:06
shifts between two wheel and all-wheel
1:08
drive. Sometimes they seize from road
1:10
salt or just burn out. If you hear a
1:12
faint clicking but no movement, odds are
1:15
the motor stuck. Swapping one isn't too
1:18
hard. Four bolts, one plug, and suddenly
1:21
the dash's gone. Okay, so another common
1:24
culprit is low fluid in the transfer
1:27
case. It uses special gear oil, and if
1:29
it runs low, the clutches can't engage.
1:32
Check the fill plug, top it off, and see
1:34
if the code clears. Don't use automatic
1:37
transmission fluid unless your car's
1:39
manual says so. That mixup can wreck the
1:41
internals. Every now and then, the issue
1:45
is just a software hiccup in the ECU
1:47
module. A quick reset with your OBD
1:50
scanner clears the code and puts the
1:51
system back online. I've had a customer
1:54
with a Volkswagen where that was all it
1:56
took. No parts, just a 10-minute reset.
1:59
By the way, what car model are you
2:01
fixing right now? It's always good to
2:03
know because Ford, Toyota, and Nissan
2:06
all have slightly different quirks with
2:08
their all-wheel setups. One safety tip,
2:11
if you're unplugging connectors under
2:12
the car, make sure it's off and the
2:15
batter is disconnected. Last thing you
2:17
want is sparks while lying under there.
2:20
So, um let's say you've checked sensors,
2:22
motor, fluid, and reset, but the light
2:25
stays. At that point, it's probably
2:28
internal damage in the transfer case or
2:30
a bad control module. That's usually
2:32
shop territory since opening a transfer
2:35
case takes special tools. But honestly,
2:38
nine out of 10 times it's something
2:40
small, a dirty sensor, a stuck motor, or
2:42
low fluid. Don't jump straight to worst
2:45
case. Quick recap that AWD system
2:49
malfunction warning usually traces back
2:51
to will sensors, the transfer case motor
2:54
or fluid level. Take it step by step and
2:57
you'll narrow it down fast. Like and
2:59
subscribe if this saved you some
3:01
headscratching and drop a comment about
