Rear Diff Temp Switch Mod

Pecky

Forum Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2008
Messages
71
Location
Perth - Western Australia
Car Year
2016
Car Model
Forester - diesel
Transmission
CVT
Some model Foresters have a rear differential high temperature warning light.

I have one on my 2010 diesel and had noticed that was momentarily flashing as I was changing gear. Upon investigation the wiring all looked good, as there is an earth connection from the differential body and a single wire to the temperature switch. I took the earth spade connection off and cleaned it as it did appear dirty. This didn’t fix the problem which was starting to become more frequent. I remember another Club member having problems with the wire to the temperature switch so I gave it a gently wiggle and it broke off. I managed to dismantle the connector to get at the broken wire and solder it back up.

I believe the initial design is a latent failure and I would suggest that a simple modification is done to prevent his happening to other cars. The wire to the connector is covered in insulation except for the last couple of millimetres. With the movement of the rear axle this bit of wire moves and will eventually break. What I did was to cover the end of the connector and part way up the wire with adhesive/sealant which will take the strain off the wire.

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I’m not sure what the point is of having a temp sensor in the rear diff. My WRX, which has a rear diff out of an 08 sti, has the sensor but I have never hooked it up. The Forrie also has an R180 rear diff, out of a current model wrx, and it doesn’t have a sensor. Obviously it’s there for reason, yet I haven’t killed the diff in the wrx which gets a much harder time than the Forrie
 
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