wtdash

Just bought a '92 Legacy L sedan to fix and put back on the road.....it has automatic tranny issues. -140K Miles Car won't move @ all in 1st. Moves in 2, 3 & D, but has only one gear - 3rd- Doesn't shift up or down - Hey, it's a CVT! Reverse works, but car is slow to engage. I drove it home on back roads @ up to 45 mph, and started to whine the longer I drove it (just like the ol' 4EAT in my '90 except all its gears still worked 'til I swapped in the turbo 4EAT). Once up to speed (30+) it would accelerate up to 50, and it climbed the previous owner's steep 1/4-mile long driveway w/out too much complaint.Tranny fluid doesn't look too bad, but does smell 'crispy'. NO TCU codes stored, either. I found this POST from Feb. '09, w/the same symptoms, although the car was OBDII. I'll do Nipper's TC test tomorrow: In that same post OB99W suggested an endwrench article that stated it was in 'limp' mode, which could be electrical or mechanical....since there are no codes, I'm guessing it's mechanical, which means repair the tranny's internals or replace it? Just wanted to confirm it's beyond a flush/refill/pray. Thanks TD

Correct From Cars101.com: 2.2-L, 135 horsepower, 4 cylinder boxer engine, 16 valve single overhead cam, multiport fuel injected 140 ft lbs torque, electronic distributorless ignition Old style is my semi-educated guess.... For reference, I had an early '98 OB (mfg. date 8/97) that still had the old style tensioner...different engine, but I've read the EJ22 and EJ25 used the same timing pulleys and tensioners so very likely SOA didn't change either engine 'til '98-ish. TD

Just to add to the above.... The Phase I EJ22 was the '90-99 (per Wikipedia). Multiple changes thru-out the years, such as moving to single-port heads in '96, and head/valve changes making the engine interference in '97, but they remained Phase I. TD

Hi, FYI - best to start a New Thread, rather than hi-jack this old one ('07). I'd check over on 'nasioc.com' and 'subaruforester.org'. GL, TD

I know there's a law (Magnuson-Moss?) against manufacturers (dealers?) requiring buyers to service their cars @ the dealer to maintain the warranty. If your warranty is provided by Subaru, it may be covered by the law.

I've had 2 experiences w/these - 2 different companies - both before I had Subaru(s). One was for some brake work that was covered; the other was an internal tie rod that wasn't. Unless you get the 'bumper-to-bumper' coverage (even then there are things not covered, which are considered 'maintenance items', etc.), it's too easy for the company to disallow the claim. Best option is to set aside the $$ each month for repairs....if you don't use it, it's there for a nice downpayment on your new Subaru!

FWIW, I just asked about a '99 Forester for sale - I know it's a different engine, but maybe this info from the Seller will help:

I didn't see it above, but usually a fluid change (not a flush) requires 3-4 'drains>>refills'. The fluid is in the tranny and the torque converter, so drain>>refill>>drive>>repeat. This procedure replaces the majority of the fluid. Also, the difference between a Low fluid level and Full is about a pint, so best to keep track of what you drain and refill w/same amount...if you started @ the Full mark. And just for the record, I (and maybe others on here) recommend against doing a FLUSH of the AT fluid on high mileage AT. It can dislodge stuff that is actually helping keep the tranny functioning. I know from personal experience.

Swapped the MAF and installed the Bosch Universal sensor..yeah, it's a PITA and I got it wrong the 1st time....car wouldn't even run. But the idle is much better, smoothest it's been in weeks. And NO CODES after a 15 minute drive. I'm guessing the injector codes were related to the failure of the MAF/O2? Thanks, TD

'90 Legacy w/a '93 EJ22T swapped in. I've had some recurring engine issues the last few weeks where the engine will just die. A couple times while idling, a couple times while accelerating, and 2 times when coming to a stop/slowing down @ an intersection. I've also had it cut-out for a brief second, but continue running. Car always starts right back up and NO CEL. After doing some driving last nite w/the car running well - didn't die once- the CEL comes on but the car continues to run fine. I pulled the codes and found: Error 14-17 for Injector #1-4 Error 23 - MAF Sensor Error 32 - O2 sensor I've read that the MAF could cause these symptoms?? I've got another MAF I can try. Also, the O2 sensor isn't working right as the voltage doesn't change...I'm using the Revscan software from Revtronix that can read multiple parameters..... but doubt it would cause the car to stall. Anyone think the Bosch O2 sensors are OK? They're avl. locally for $50 and I don't have time to order one....leaving for VACA tomorrow. Thanks for any feedback! Td

After reading this LINK about TB and this LINK (near the bottom) about someone else's experience, I decided to give it a go. I had just replaced the transmission and the used replacement had TB and delayed AWD...took 1-2 seconds for the rear wheels to kick on any slick surface. Since I still had the old 4EAT laying(lying?) around, I pulled the rear housing off, filed down the grooves, and waited for day off. That way I could just take it apart and put it back together w/out the delay of filing the grooves. The only new part I installed was the Duty C - I didn't mess w/the plates. In my case the Duty C wasn't bad (the FWD fuse still worked) but I didn't want to have to go back in there to fix it again. I'm no mechanic, but it wasn't too difficult. It fixed the delay 100% and the TB about 95%. TD

Please describe/show pics of "Homemade teflon strut spacers in the rear". I had '08 FXT struts on my '90 and the front sat about 1" higher than the back. Did the spacers fix that? Thanks, TD

2 things I can think of are the Ignitor/Igniter (?) - dead center on the engine side of firewall, and the coil pack, including the plug that connects by the throttle body. Not sure how to test either, but I know they'll keep it from firing. Checked for Codes (CEL)? - Instructions HERE.

Unfortunately, the dealer is correct. It's 'torque bind', infamous and well-covered on here. If you're handy, you can fix this yourself. And if the FWD did fix it, it's a mechanical issue - not electrical. Check this LINK for repair info. Td

FWIW, the older OB's struts were longer, and they also used body spacers to get the lift. And I'd bet $ the struts will fit (bolt pattern) esp. for the same year. Have fun!

This may be a 'given', but also suggest checking the valve clearance while you got it out.

chech out this link...it'll give you a good idea on how to R&R the transfer clutches: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=55651&highlight=bad+gear+good+torque+bind I had a delay on my AWD engagement, followed the above info and it was 95% fixed. Still get torque bind (SEARCH) every once in awhile, but no delay. Good luck, TD

Check out this POST on Legacy Central...haven't read it all, but it may help. GL, Td

Hello, Found this ONLINE for a '95 Legacy - yours should be very similar: Automatic Transmision: Fluid capacity - 8.4 US qt SEARCH on here on about flushing/replacing the tranny fluid if the tranny is a 'high miler'. Also, it takes 3-4 drain/refills to replace all the fluid. The engine holds 4-5 quarts of oil. GL, TD

I'm going to expand on what Sir Nipper stated...hopefully live to tell about it. The green connectors are used for 'active' reading of CEL codes. On the Legacy from '90-94 (and maybe your '00) there's also a set of black connectors used for 'stored' codes. Both sets may or may not be next to each other, but usually on Legacys are under the driver's side of the dash, as in your pic. Here's a LINK about using them on older Subies, but I DO NOT Guarantee the results are the same on your '00. There is a recent post on this site about doing this on the OBD2 cars, and it includes the code #s and descriptions...but can't find it right now. However, my DISCLAIMER is that if/when you do have a CEL, take it to a place w/an OBD2 scanner to get it checked. Good luck, TD

Just to clarify on Olnick's informative post, the '99 Forester (and Impeza RS) had the SOHC 2.5 engine, not the DOHC. The DOHC was '98 only for the Forester. (The legacy outback used the DOHC thru the '99 model year.) The SOHC 2.5 also had issues but usually they could be resolved w/a coolant additive, so you might check the car's maintenance history to see if it was treated. Also, the Forester has an issue w/the rear wheel bearings, which are expensive to have replaced. Plus the Forester has air bags, ABS and a 5 year warranty....The '92 Legacy rec'd air bags midway thru '92 so it may/may not have them, and ABS wasn't standard, either. The legacy will have a bit more cargo room, if it matters. My suggestion is get the Forester (or maybe I will :-) ) Enjoy! TD

According to this ARTICLE from Legacy Central, top speed is 130mph and from the same site there is no speed limiter per Legacy777. And this is @ stock boost of 8.7 psi. So, you should be very close! Have fun, TD

You said you were a 'rookie', so no offense if this is obvious! Raise the rear wheels off the ground, grab the top of the tire and see if there's any play in/out. That should tell you if it's the bearings...I've heard Foresters have 'bearing issues'; not sure about the OB. Also, fill the Rear diff (if you can get that darn top plug out!). Good luck, TD

Get another estimate...ANY Mechanic can do struts. There is something to be said for getting the parts and labor done @ the same place for future warranty/repair issues - no finger-pointing - but it shouldn't cost that much. good luck, TD

Moves/rolls, as if in Neutral, or just a few inches and stops? Make sure they look @ this during the inspection, too! Good luck, TD