9 replies to this topic

[SUBARU3]

What would cause "hunting" between 2nd-3rd shift. The trans is fine otherwise. 80K AWD.

If you floor it, it shifts through all gears fine. Under normal acceleration, it shifts 1-2 OK and then 2-3 feels like it goes to 4th for a sec and then back to 3rd. Then shifts to 4th normally as speed increases. Torque converter lock up is ok too. Downshifts are fine also.

Ideas?

Thanks, Todd

[langosta39]

My 95 Legacy does this if I have the gear selector in "3", but it has never done it in "D". Even then it only seems to do it when accelerating brisky in 2nd and then pulling off the throttle. Its like the car wants to double shift because of no load but then realizes its supposed to be in 3rd instead of 4th. Its done it for 10,000s of miles and never a problem, but I do know that it needs a fluid flush (chattering when turning hard in 1st gear).

Andy

[RallyKeith]

What would cause "hunting" between 2nd-3rd shift. The trans is fine otherwise. 80K AWD.

If you floor it, it shifts through all gears fine. Under normal acceleration, it shifts 1-2 OK and then 2-3 feels like it goes to 4th for a sec and then back to 3rd. Then shifts to 4th normally as speed increases. Torque converter lock up is ok too. Downshifts are fine also.

Ideas?

Thanks, Todd

Can you answer a few questions for me:
What year is the car?
Does it do it only when cold?
Does it do it only when hot?
Does it do it all the time?
Have you ever had the fluid changed, if so when?

The answers to these may give us some better insight.

Keith

[grossgary]

ever changed the ATF?
might be a good place to start at 80k you're due anyway.
with a minor symptom, changing the ATF might help.

on the passengers side strut tower there's a shift resistor on some 4EAT's (maybe all, i don't know). i disconnect mine for firmer and quicker shifts. i'd unplug yours to see if it makes any difference in shifting. if your glitch went away after unplugging then maybe that shift resistor is bad. i doubt this is the problem, but since it literally takes like 13 seconds to try it doesn't hurt. better than starting with complicated diagnosis. shift kits bypass this resistor under certain circumstances...unplugging it basically does the same thing except you don't give someone else your money.

[SUBARU3]

Can you answer a few questions for me:
What year is the car?
Does it do it only when cold?
Does it do it only when hot?
Does it do it all the time?
Have you ever had the fluid changed, if so when?

The answers to these may give us some better insight.

Keith

The car is a 95 /awd
It does it all the time cold or hot. However sometimes it seems OK, but generally, it consistently happens.
Yes, I have changed the fluid at frequent intervals. It does seem like it started AFTER a fluid change. Fluid quality issue maybe??

I'l also try that resistor.

[RallyKeith]

The car is a 95 /awd
It does it all the time cold or hot. However sometimes it seems OK, but generally, it consistently happens.
Yes, I have changed the fluid at frequent intervals. It does seem like it started AFTER a fluid change. Fluid quality issue maybe??

I'l also try that resistor.

I'm thinking it could be a fluid level or quality issue. At higher RPMs, like would be seen under full throtle shifting, you will be building more pressure from the pump in the trans. I don't know for sure but it could be that for some reasons it doesn't have enough pressure to sharply engage the gear.

I guess check the fluid level for a start. There is a specific procedure in the owners manual for that.

Keith

[ShawnW]

Fluid LEVEL is big on these. The symptoms sound like it has a quart or more too much fluid in it.

Checking the fluid level is done by having the car at idle, and running the car thru each and every gear, pausing between each one, finally returning to Park and checking level.

[ShawnW]

but I do know that it needs a fluid flush (chattering when turning hard in 1st gear).

Andy

Sorry but thats not likely to be the fluid. More than likely an axle going or the front differential fluid needs changed.

[langosta39]

Ive read many times, and was told by the dealer, that those symptoms are cured by a fluid flush and a friction modifier, but thanks for in the input.

[SUBARU3]

Well, it was not the resistor. I'm going to try a fluid change next.

Todd