another ACD issue. am i killing my car? searched.. NO solid answers. HELP!

kaj · May 11, 2009, 02:06 PM

short version:

i start my car. everything is great. i get on the freeway.. after about 45seconds all three ACD lights come on. they go off when i restart the car, of course. i don't THINK i've ever seen them all come on while driving through town.. maybe once when i got a little sideways. it's been a while... but every time i get on the fwy.

so... i can live with it. i just need to make sure i'm not hurting anything. i read that "supposedly" the system defaults to "tarmac". is this true? whether it is or not, am i HURTING anything? i have to drive this thing to LA, a couple times, for work. i don't wanna kill a t-case, diff, transmission, etc. i'd rather just call into work.

can ANYONE help? i've searched here, other forums, Google.. i can't find anything that says if driving with all three lights on is bad for the car.

also: can i DISCONNECT the ACD unit? if i do, will i have a continuously open differential? will it hurt anything to drive with it DCed (remove ACD ecu or fuse, if there is one)??

also, i get a "pulsing" vibration any time i'm over 73mph. the "pulse" is constant, no matter how fast i go. could that be related? i have this horrible vision of the ACD locking/unlocking and just tearing up the drivetrain.

as if you can't tell, i'm new to these cars. so every noise, vibration, and light scares the hell out of me 'cause i know it ain't cheap to fix. thanks guys!

jason

CWhiteRun · May 27, 2009, 03:26 PM

Low fluid? Have you had the ACD serviced recently? Bleed properly if so?

houdini_678 · May 27, 2009, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWhiteRun

Low fluid? Have you had the ACD serviced recently? Bleed properly if so?

Definately could be... ACD pump is the one to your right when opening the hood; directly behind the headlight. Check to see the level it's on. Have you changed clutch recently? How lond you've had the car? Three lights normally happen when level is low or air bubbles are trapped somewhere in the pump. Solution to this is bleeding the ACD. Steps for this follow as such:

1. First of all check if level is low, and if such, fill with Mitsubishis ATF SPIII.
2. Put the key inside ignition and turn over "BUT" just before igniting! I guess its when headlights can start as well as radio and A/C.
3. Next, put the pedal to the metal and ACD pump will be heard circulating on engine bay. If not, pump has issues. (Check on ebay if this happens)
4. Turn off and repeat step 2 and 3 around five times or such.

Good Luck!