Is it safe to drive with the AWD light on?

[Big bob]

[Wathen1955]

Car goes in this Monday to Goodyear. They told me it was okay to drive around town only, keeping less than 15 miles, but it's mostly parked.

I drove it on Tuesday 7 miles to a Mexican restaurant. Light never came on, but when we left to go back home, the light came on after driving just 1 mile.

[Wathen1955]

Got the car back from Goodyear yesterday. Cost me ~$800 for parts + labor. I know the work was good because my wife said she noticed that the car drives so much better. They also said that the fluid in the differential should last for 125k miles. I guess that is what Honda thinks most will get rid of their cars before that.

I also brought in 2 dozen donuts for their staff. Nothing like donuts and coffee.

[Frankie the Fink]

But what did they say the issue was ?

I've tipped mechanics a few times but never doughnuts and coffee, I'm sure they were surprised and appreciative.

My youngest brother is a top shelf mechanic, even so, I wouldn't put up with the crap he does from some customers.

[ColeTrickle]

electrical tape over the light , problem solved

[Wathen1955]

Originally Posted by Frankie the Fink

But what did they say the issue was ?

I've tipped mechanics a few times but never doughnuts and coffee, I'm sure they were surprised and appreciative.

My youngest brother is a top shelf mechanic, even so, I wouldn't put up with the crap he does from some customers.

They replaced the solenoid.

Per the service bulletin:
The electric differential pressure solenoid (EDPS) in the rear differential has excessive oil pressure, causing the AWD indicator to come on and DTC C-1858-73 (differential fluid pressure deviation high) to set.

Also, I only brought them donuts only. They already had coffee in the shop. Two dozen donuts were not cheap: $35.

[Big bob]

Found this.


3 · Feb 17, 2022
I am having this same issue right now. Dealership pulled the error code C1858-73. They recommended replacing the diff for 4k CAD. However, there is a service bulletin for this issue (A15-016) which recommends replacing the EDPS solenoid. Based on what I've read, that costs around 400-600. The dealership we bought the 2012 CRV EXL AWD (80k KMs, 50k Miles) will cover the cost. However, the Honda dealership maintains that they have tried this repair in the past and it ends up breaking the diff, so they have to replace the diff anyways. Our dealership is calling around for us to determine a solution. Otherwise, the car runs great. We have the VTC rattle on cold start ups but will live with it. Purchase price was around 10k USD

[BADRACR1]

Nissan AWD has a similar issue. We have two Muranos, one AWD, one FWD. The 2010 FWD just clicked 200k. Always has had every maintenance done and is rock solid dependable. The 2013 AWD has 105k and needs a trans.
We got it with 101k. A few weeks later the issue started out with the AWD light coming on and it gives a code for "Power solenoid A/B stuck open/closed" and beginning to slip after driving a while. The solenoid is in the valve body. Sometimes swapping the valve body works, sometimes not. Usually end up replacing the trans. I tried replacing the valve body and fluid (it was black, never been changed) and it worked for a short time (few hundred miles) but then the same codes and slipping. The damage was already done.
If done at the dealership or trans shop it was going to be $4400. Trans cost me $2400. Stepson and I are going to use his shop and put it in.