AWD Overheating - C145F = damaged coupling ?

[Jonathan226]

Hello everyone,

 

I would like to ask you about AWD problem on mine Freemont. Please, don't hate me for Freemont, it is totally same as Journey, except badge and name.

Last year I went on trip on hills, going through mud for a long period without any problem, everything was working as it should. But last winter has started badly for AWD. There was snow, ice and I had to go more aggresively. It was not pedal to metal, but after short time, around 5 secs from going from place, spinning wheels, I've received AWD service message and it went to FWD mode. Another time I've tried to spin wheels lightly on ice, so I did. Again, service AWD has appeared after short period of wheels slipping. So I went to diagnostics and what not, C145F and C1078. Both of them were stored, not present.
C145F - AWD system temporarily disabled - over temperature

C1078 - Tire revolutions range perfomance

So I've deleted them, but they've came back pretty soon, C1078 after some time and C145F after another attempt to spin rear tyres.

C1078 is maybe because of different wear of front and rear tyres. I've bought and changed new tires two years ago. All 4 of them same size, brand and model. Size is same as recommended size for Freemont. Right at the moment rear ones are worn more than front ones, but not that much.

C145F comes on maybe after 2 secs of trying to spin rear tyres. Front tyres spin like crazy, but rear ones don't. I've also tried it with TCS turned off, but same result, front spinning, rear nothing.

Also funny thing from diagnostics. I've found there on live data "Coupling temp", so I've took it on spin while logging this temp. Before any attempt of spinning, coupling had 40°C. After lauching from place on mud, it went right from 40°C to 250°C in just two seconds !

Ofcourse, rear wheels didn't spin... Funny thing is that I have not found any temperature sensor on rear viscous coupling, even not on catalogue of parts for coupling. I've already inspected wiring and connector for viscous coupling, everything is alright, no corrosion. Also I've checked ABS and transmission for DTCs. Both of them are DTC free.

On live data I've checked speed of wheels, front were spinning slower by 10RPM than rear wheels on constant vehicle speed.

 

So what do you think ? Is it because of burnt clutch pack in viscous coupling or because of damaged AWD ECU ?

Freemont 2011 2.0MJET AT6 AWD, mileage 209 000km.

 

Best regards,

 

John

Edited March 22, 2021 by Jonathan226

[Jonathan226]

Also I wanted to ask if there is any way to repair viscous coupling like changing clutch pack or fluid inside or I have to buy another unit ?

[John/Horace]

I think it’s an electric clutch that cycles on. Not the old style viscous coupling with the silicone fluid that gets too thick.

 

ZF or borg Warner made.

 

[Jonathan226]

Yes, looks like it is slipping. I wanted to buy another unit from another car, found around 3 people those were selling it together with differential but all of them couplers were fried like mine...   So I'm thinking about changing oil inside of it (which has small percentage of successful repair, because of fried clutch plates but at least try it out) or try to change clutches. New unit is pretty pricey (1200€ in my country) and I can't find clutch plates for it. Does anyone know what and how much fluid goes inside (If 75W-90 with limited slip additive or ATF) or which clutch plates can be installed into it ? I know that it would be best bet to buy new unit, but you know how it is...