lhrocker

My 02 Legacy GT has been feeling kind of sluggish lately in that it didn't seem to shift properly, especially when accellerating after slowing down. I never got a CEL for this, so a couple of weeks ago I starte by changing out the transmission fluid. It seemed to be a little better, but nothing outstanding. Then last night when I went to work, I had the same shifting issue and the CEL started blinking and went away. The car rode fine after the CEL went away. I parked the car and shut the engine and when I started her up again, the CEL light was on. I pulled the codes this morning and got a P0303 so I went to the dealer to get some ignition wires as I'll tune her up this weekend. So, overall, can a misfiring engine feel like a transmission slippage issue? I'll let you know how it turns out over the weekend. Pete

Picked up the replacement teardrop remote from my dealer today and it works great. The other one was just probably bad. I still miss having a led to show that a button was pushed, but it works.

I went thru the procedures and it didn't work with the new one. I know cause I screwed up the first time and unprogrammed my spare. When I did it again, I was able to reprogram my spare but not the teardrop. Since the new remote doesn't have a light or indicator of sorts, it's hard to tell if it is even working. I did test the battery and the battery is fine. The dealer is going to get me another one, but he has to order it, I'll know in a few days.

I lost one of my keyless remotes for my 2002 Legacy. I just went to the dealer and they sold me one that is teardrop shaped as they no longer have the original remote. I tried to program the new remote, but it doesn't take. I have no issues reprogramming the original spare remote. The dealer said that they will order another one to make sure the remote isn't bad, but I have my doubts. Can anyone verify that the new teardrop remotes definitely won't work with the Alpine alarms?

Only when accelerating after slowing down or uphill on/off ramps.

I bought a 2002 Legacy GT w/65k miles on the car in July. From the service records that I got to see before the sale, the previous owner took immaculate care of the car in terms of regular maintenance. They even changed the headgaskets, which was a big reason in me buying the car. Now I put almost 15K on the car in 6 months, but I have changed the oil every 5K w/mobil 1. A few weeks ago, the car stated to have issues shifting - mainly when I'm accellerating while making a turn and when I slow down and then speed up. I had the transmission fluid changed over the weekend, as it's the cheapest first solution, and it may have helped a little bit, but I still get that jumping when shifting gears. i've read that maybe I could reset the computer and that may help. Otherwise, I'll bring it to a dedicated tranny shop. I've never had this issue with any of my 2.2 Legacys. I used to have a 2003 Legacy which kind of had this feel when going uphill mainly. Does this sound like it is something major? Hate to get a new "to me" car and have to put more $$$ into it. Maybe a full tuneup next, or what?

I am getting a new set of tires for my Legacy. I am probably going to get a slightly larger size than the original as the 205/55/16's that I currently have show up as being faster on my speed than GPS. Anyhow, the tires that were on my Legacy were H rated. If I were to go to a T rated tire, other than not being rated for the faster speed, which I would never hit, would there be any other issues? The reason that I ask is that I bought 4 Toyo's that have a 30 day return, but the same tire in a 205/60/16 is T rated rather than H rated. Or should I look at an overall larger size? Thanx - Pete

Thanx John

So if I wanted to get a tire size that would "slow down" my speedometer, would I get a slighty larger tire or a smaller tire? I'm running stock now.

Well I'm comparing apples to apples with the GPS. The speedo matched my old car running the same routes to work. With the new car, the average speedo thru the same route was shown fast on the dash than the GPS. No real issues - I was just curious, and it would be nice if the cars speedo matched the GPS, since there's no way to get the GPS to match the dash.

I checked the tires and they're a set of Continental 205/55/16's. The speedometer reads about 2mph faster than the GPS. My old Legacy had a set of Hancook 205/55/16's and they spedometer was the same as the GPS. I've had the same Garmin GPS since I owned my 97 Legacy bought 3 years ago.

I'm pretty sure the stock tires are 205/55/16. I will check when I get back to the car. My older legacy had 14's, but once I swapped to 16's, the speedometer matched up.

I just picked up a 2002 Legacy GT and I love the car. I noticed, thought, that the speed/mileage on the cars speed/odometer doesn't match the GPS. Compared to the GPS, the car's speed is slower, but the miles are higher. I had a 97 Legacy where the speed was spot on with the GPS, but the mileage was a little less. Is this normal, as I normally use the GPS to track my mileage for expenses?

How do you get the trim off of a 02 legacy to put in a new radio? I don't want to break the center trim panel.

Done by the dealer who is selling the car - have written documentation.

Well, I just got a call from the dealer on the 02 Legacy GT sedan that I was looking at. It had it's head gaskets done in 2008. The car in very clean w/65K and a negotiated price of $8K. The timing belts should be good for another year and a half, and I'm good with regular maintenance. Does this sound like a good replacement for my 97 Legacy?

Still have my eye on a 2002 Legacy GT w/65K. I'm waiting to see how that pans out.

So this isn't a major issue, or is it? With that low mileage, it would be like getting a brand new car - for me anyway. My wife gets the real brand new car.

Thanx for the info and offer JT. Unfortunately, I live in Nj and that's quite the ride. I maybe able to pick up a minty 2002 w/65K for about $8K. It's at a dealer and I'm waiting for word on the HG on this car. The car is about as clean as I've ever seen. If he can confirm the HG was replaced, or will deduct the cost of getting it replaced, then I may take it. I like my 97, but the body is starting to get worn as is the interior. Let's see what happens.

So would this be the gasket replacement fix or the goo fix? I'm checking out 2002 GT w/70K today and I want to know what I am in for? Is the HG a warranty fix for this year?

Would a 2002 Legacy GT have an internal or external leak?

Let me know and I'll make a trip into PA...

I currently have what I believe is an interference 2.2 on my Legacy. I bought it 3 years ago at 119K and it's currently at 210K. I've had the timing belt done at 120 and 180 as I didn't want to have that go at the wrong time. I've had all the rotors, brakes and bearings done at least once, as well as replaced the alternator, radiator, knock, TPS as well as both front axels. If I'm going to keep the car, I will have to put new shocks and struts soon, brakes and rotors again, new tires and possibly 02 sensor or Cat, since I get an occasional P420. Maybe I just want something newer, but still a Subaru. I'll see within the next few months where I want to put my money, I guess.

So the 1997 to 2003 are for all model 2.5's (Legacy, Outback, Impreza, etc...) or just Outback? If that's the case, I will stick with before 1997 or after 2003.

Does that mean that the headgaskets will definitely go? Timing belts are given.