We found out the hard way that my wife's 03 xc70 AWD was not working
when we got stuck in the mountains.

Now my 1998 V70XC is getting stuck on level streets in Denver after this
snowstorm. Clearly the AWD isn't working on either car.

Front wheel drive only right now.

Is this a common problem? Any idea what it is? No computer codes are
coming up on either car.

Thanks

 

That is a wacky one.
On the 98 make sure the driveshaft is still in the car.

The 03 not sure.

 

Can I just look under the car and see if there is a driveshaft spinning? Or would
it be spinning when parked?

 

It will spin in gear with the car lifted.

On the 98's the drive shafts go bad all the time and people remove them because they are like 1K for a new one.

also alot of people do not know you need to keep the tires the same wear at all times or it can burn up the angle gear.