BuffaloSubaru

Thanks, blizt. Using the volt meter is no problem. Locating the TPS may be. When I open the hood of this thing, I have no idea what's going on. Any tips on locating the TPS? As per the other comments. The gas mileage and rough shifting are minor concerns to me compared to the dredded morning "shake." I only bring them up because they may be related.

It's funny you mention the clutch shudder. I had that problem with my 2000 Forester. When the clutch finally went, I put the $1100 it would have cost to fix it down on a new Forester, automatic this time. I guess I should have learned!

I just test drove another '04 XT with the General Manager of my local dealership. I experienced the exact same problem. The Manager said that they've tried replacing TCU's and entire transmissions in other XT's to no avail. Subaru does not know how to fix the problem so they're in damage control mode. Its a shame. My father has an '01 Forester. I had an '00 Forester and now an '04 Forester. I love the cars, but the service I'm getting from Subaru of America is a 1 out of 10.

Hi all - I purchased an '04 Forester XT in January (my 2nd Forester). From the beginning, the tranmission shifted very roughly and my gas mileage was horrible (14.5 mpg city). My biggest problem - the first time the auto transmission downshifts each morning, the whole car shakes like I hit a bump. I was able to reproduce the problem with a service tech riding along. He seemed surprised and ordered me a new Transmission Control Unit. He said it was the second 04 he knew of which needed a new TCU due to rough shifting. Problem solved, right? Wrong! Subaru called my dealer a couple days later and cancelled the TCU order. They decided that this shake was "normal" on all '04 Forester, Legacy and Baja turbos! Is anyone else experiencing this problem? I'd love this car if they'd only fix it. My local dealer and SOA are no help at all. Suggestions? If anyone else is in the market for an '04 Subaru turbo, be sure to test drive it without warmup on a relatively cold morning (<40 degrees F).