Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
AWD Warning Light Display: Inspection
Diagnosis:
- CAN communication is lost with the combination meter.
- Combination meter malfunction
- TCM is in AWD special control mode.
Trouble symptom:
- When the ignition switch is turned to ON, the AWD light does not illuminate.
- AWD light remains lit after engine start.
- AWD light is blinking immediately after engine start.
- CHECK TCM
.
Read the DTC of [Transmission] using the Subaru Select Monitor. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) .
Is DTC U0155 or U0423 displayed?
Yes: Perform the self-diagnosis of combination meter.
No: Go to 2.
- CHECK TCM
.
Read the DTC of [Transmission] using the Subaru Select Monitor. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) .
Are DTCs other than U0155 and U0423 displayed?
Yes: Perform the diagnosis according to the DTC. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC)>LIST .
No: Go to 3.
- CHECK COMBINATION METER
.
Read the DTC of [Combination Meter] using the Subaru Select Monitor. Ref. to COMBINATION METER (DIAGNOSTICS)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) .
Are any DTCs displayed?
Yes: Perform the diagnosis according to the DTC. Ref. to COMBINATION METER (DIAGNOSTICS)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC)>LIST .
No: Go to 4.
- CHECK AWD LIGHT
.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Does AWD light illuminate and then go off in 2 seconds?
Yes: Go to 5.
No: Perform the self-diagnosis of combination meter. Ref. to INSTRUMENTATION/DRIVER INFO>COMBINATION METER SYSTEM>OPERATION>SELF-DIAGNOSIS DISPLAY MODE .
- CHECK AWD LIGHT
.
Start the engine.
Does the AWD light go off?
Yes: Current condition is normal. Go back to Basic Diagnostic Procedure. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE .
No: Go to 6.
- CHECK DTC
.
Read the DTC of [Transmission] using the Subaru Select Monitor. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) .
Are any DTCs displayed?
Yes: Perform the diagnosis according to the DTC. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC)>LIST .
No: Go to 7.
- CHECK AWD LIGHT
.
Check the display of AWD light after engine start.
Is AWD light illuminating?
Yes: Go to 9.
No: Go to 8.
- CHECK AWD LIGHT
.
Check the display of AWD light after engine start.
Is AWD light blinking at 2 Hz?
Yes: Go to 10.
No: Go to 11.
- CHECK AWD ON/OFF SWITCHING FUNCTION
.
Using the Subaru Select Monitor, select [AWD ON/OFF switching mode] on the [Work Support] screen, and check the current mode. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580 IMPREZA)>AWD ON/OFF SWITCHING MODE .
Is the message [At present, the vehicle is in AWD. Switch to FF?] displayed?
Yes: Go to 11.
No: If the message [At present, the vehicle is in FF. Switch to AWD?] is displayed, select "OK", and switch to AWD mode.
- CHECK REAR DIFFERENTIAL
.
Using the Subaru Select Monitor, select and check [Rear differential inspection mode] on the [Work Support] display. Ref. to DIFFERENTIALS>REAR DIFFERENTIAL INSPECTION MODE .
Does AWD light go off after inspection is finished normally?
Yes: Current condition is normal. Go back to Basic Diagnostic Procedure. Ref. to TRANSMISSION (DIAGNOSTICS) (IMPREZA MODEL)>BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURE .
No: Go to 11.
- CHECK COMBINATION METER
.
Perform the self-diagnosis of combination meter. Ref. to INSTRUMENTATION/DRIVER INFO>COMBINATION METER SYSTEM>OPERATION>SELF-DIAGNOSIS DISPLAY MODE .
Is there any trouble with the combination meter?
Yes: Repair the combination meter.
No: Check the TCM. Ref. to CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (TR580 IMPREZA)>TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) .
NO RELATED
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.