Acehorseman

Again, thanks for the good ideas and possible solutions. I will follow Ivans and others advise and stick with the 4EAT. So next weekend, it will be time to drop the pan and see what the damage looks like. I will take pictures and keep you all posted on any progress.

Gentlemen, thank you all for the input to this problem! Based on the the above, my thoughts are to remove the pan, check for debri and bomb damage, especially the band mentioned, Check the filter and if need be replace it. If problem is large and obvious, I will go with the idea of salvaging a tranny and replace in whole, On that thought, is it possible to think about replacing it with a 5 speed manual?? Rather than another automatic?? I know in the case of older US muscle cars there are a number of issues faced on that journey, mounts, cross members, etc. and I doubt there is a large aftermarket network for aging Subarus. Just for the record, the car has fairly low mileage, 86,000 km or 56,000 miles. No check engine light or AT blinks on start up. Again, thanks to all with the ideas, I will keep you posted. Aufwiedersehen! kcg

I just purchased a 1994 Subaru Legacy wagon as a project car and the transmission has an issue I am trying to sort out. It will shift and run in both 1st gear and reverse, but is reluctant to shift into 2nd (never got to a higher gear), and when it does, there is no power, it feels like it is slipping or not connected. The fluid is red, no burnt smell, with a few small bubbles. So where to start. Plan A - I was thinking of dropping the pan, check the magnet for shavings and such, and replace the filter. Anything else anyone would recommend while I have the pan off? Plan B - go directly to the electronics and replace the Vehicle Speed Sensor ? Plan C - ???? Band adjustment? Clutch pack? Any advise appreciated as this is my first Subaru. Thanks

Good Day to All! Just bought a 1994 Subaru Legacy LSi Wagon. It will be a project as it has an issue with its Automatic Transmission and probably a couple of other issues to be discovered. Seems to run strong, but I suspect the speed sensor is shot as it has 1st gear, Neutral, Reverse and park with no issues. It just seems to be hung in first and does not shift to second. Should be fun to sort out. One limiting problrem is I live in Germany, so the usual US sources will be UPS at best and expensive.