nipper

And one other which is hideous. Rare but ugly, a stripped drive gear for the sensor.

There are 2 failure modes for the spedo. One is failed VSS sesnors. Since this is a manual you have only one sensor. The other is dirty grounds at the back of the spedo (but that wont throw a cel). There is a 3rd but thats a damaged harness which is rare.

You have to spin it and make sure its making a pulse.

What he said.

You will need starter contacts eventually, but good to hear.

Yes.

Not that your going to like. Last ditch try is the universal joint in the steering shaft. Spray it with white lube and see if it helps, otherwise you know the answer.

Subarus are hard shifters, especially when cold. Live with it till spring and if it doesnt get worse, its just the way a subaru shifts is new to you. On the plus side service it regularly, respect the AWD, and it will last the life of the car.

Oh a blocked cooler can cause this too, blocked cooling lines, blocked vent line.

Refill the tranny slowly and carefully on level ground. If its still spitting back fluid take it back to the tranny guy. Its a sealed hyd system pretty much. Fluid expands if it gets hot and only has 1 place to go. Is it aerated?

Use that warrenty. If it wasnt any of those it can be over heating. Does your ATF light work?

Check the Radiator fluid to make sure the tranny cooler hasnt sprung a leak. Check the fluid level, hell i would change it to make sure its the right level. Check to make sure you have the proper dip stick. It happens sometimes on used transmissions.

Happy Thanksgiving

Cooler line wont do it, it has to be one of the pressure taps on the transmission itself

a growel?

Got a parking garage or an alley nearby? Drive with the windows down it may magnify it

May be time for a rebuild. It could be all gummed uo inside with tired gaskets. It sounds like its flooding.

There are companies that rebuild them, but in general they can not be rebuilt.

Shift points are done by the computer so not much to worry about there.

Replace all the blulbs and be done with it, you can get them cheap from Amazon

Clutch disc failure? Clutch release finger failure? Two gears at once (bad linkage) will lock up the drive train.

Is it the original carb?

Is it parked in the sun? Have youe used name brand parts? Thought about replacing the coil for giggles?

The rear diff will just be there for the ride. I would prefer a 4wd tranny and rear diff from a legacy but understand the money thing.

When you get a bad VSS code, it is usually a failed VSS. Check the wiring. They are simple enough to bench test. They are very low tech sensors.