mikedc3

I don't think it's a pump, seal, or pressure prob because usually with one of these problems it will only occure once. With this car, I can put it in D and the trans won't go in, I then tap the gas and it catches. I then shift to N and back to D and it doesn't catch again, I tap it again and it catches. I can do this over and over a hundred times. If it was a pressure prob, I would think that it would only not catch the first time. Plus it always goes into R without any trouble. I'm thinking there is a either a selector switch, solenoid SP? or wire problem, and rocking the engine\trans is causing the connection to be made. This trans IS electronic right?? I was thinking it was because of the self diag, ability. Wouldn't a pressure problem set codes? I'm thinking that maybe if there is no signal going to the trans telling it that the shifter is in D, the comp wouldn't even know that there is a problem, and therefore wouldn't set a trouble code. But as I said, I don't really know too mutch about AT's. and was hoping this was something common with these or someone here has seen this before. I would hate to have him spend $2000.00 for a trans only to find it was wiring all along. Thanks for the help. MDC

Hi, I am a mechanic, but I don't do internal auto trans work. A friend is thinking of buying a 200 Forrester, He brought it buy today to have me look at it. So far it needs a T belt, Belts, tune up, both rear wheel bearings are screaming, struts, tires, and an alignment. The real problem is with the trans, Sometimes it wont go into drive. It always goes into reverse with no trouble. When it does go into drive, the trans works great! It has all 4 gears, lock up works, the shift points are good, it down shifts fine, and it doesn't slip at all. When it doesn't go into drive, if you tap the gas a few times, the trans does go into drive, However I don't feel that it is a pressure problem. If you don't tap the gas it will sit there all day with the shifter in D and not moving. I get the feeling that this is an electrical problem, rather than a stuck check ball, pressure leak, or anything else mechanical inside the trans. I checked bullitins for this car and found one for the trans. It said that dents in the trans pan could break a wire, or solinoid inside the pan but there are no dents in this pan. There are no trans codes stored. Again, It seems electrical to me because when it does go into drive the trans workes great. This makes me think that some electrical trouble is not telling the trans to go into gear. Can anyone give me some ideas? Is this common? My friend can get this car for about a grand + repairs, so it is a good deal for him. BTW, it's an AWD unit. Thanks, MDC