Rear Diff Temp light - AC fluctuates temp

2006 SUBARU TRIBECA
134,000 MILES • AWD • AUTOMATIC
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SOLR
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  • 2 POSTS
Recently returned from a vacation trip- 1,000 miles driven at a time.
During the trip, we felt the AC start to blow warm air at times, for 20-30 seconds, then it returned to cold air again. I don't experience this on shorter trips.
Also, today- returning to work, the Rear Diff Temp light is coming on - appears to be linked to acceleration. If the engine is at cruising speed ( no acceleration) the light goes off.

What causes this, and is this an immediate service issue?
Jul 21, 2014 at 10:57 AM
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HMAC300
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  • 48,601 POSTS
as far as the rear diffcheck fluid level otherwise it may be an intermittent problem or a wire hitting something. for the a/c problem it may have been a time where far was needed and didn't kick on right away or the compressor clutch may be wearing little and has to much clearance in it so it slips a little. or something on the belt as well.
Jul 21, 2014 at 12:15 PM
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SOLR
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Follow-up:

Took it to my mechanic to check the rear diff oil level ( it's not accessible from the engine compartment- but at the rear axle).

Turns out the sensor connection was rusted out, and the electrical connection was intermittent. He replaced the connector and I was out of there for $90.

And the AC: operator error :). I had turned off the auto-climate control, so the fan kept running even when the compressor wasn't needed.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Jul 23, 2014 at 9:43 AM
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