landolphe

AC in my 2001 Outback 3.0 VDC wagon puts out a lot of very cold air, BUT the air only comes out thru the windshield vents and the vents ABOVE the side vents, which put out only minimal flow. NOTHING flows thru the two center vents. What/where might be the problem?

Only a couple of times did it make a grinding noise when going from Park to Reverse, but even then it drove smoothly in R. That noise has stopped! The hesitation I feel is most noticeable when starting out with a good bit of acceleration. Starting out slowly, it passes through the gears with little or no noticeable hesitation, even though the gear changes are not as silky smooth as before, and I can feel/hear them "slot" into place. The Check Engine light is never on. I do know that there is a problem with the clock spring as the horn doesn't work and the Air Bag light is constantly on. I assume that's an unrelated problem, but then again I know almost nothing about any of this. I appreciate the kind patience and assistance I have received from everyone in this forum.

It has been suggested that the problem may be with the engine computer not the trans. Hopefully, the code check will clarify this. Meanwhile, I have no option but to keep driving as is.

I have a friend who has the computer to read the various codes. I've never felt a slipping transmission before, so I have no referent for what I'm experiencing. It "feels" like the engine is hiccupping in forward gears. There is no racing of RPMs and no unexpected change of gears. It always shifts forward gears sequentially without any downshifting. Only when going from Park to Reverse is there a metallic clackety sound and vibration. Goes into Reverse OK and drives in Reverse OK. When stopped and in drive, the engine seems to idle faster and rougher. Racing gas normalizes this.

Could the Differential and/or its fluid level be implicated here? I'm clutching at straws, you can tell!

I am a very old man and my eyes aren't great, so I had two of my grandchildren look at the ATF dipstick. They agree that the fkuid is NOT black or dark, but is a light RED color and does not appear to read low, but there was disagreement cuz we checked it COLD and the stick was filled to upper mark in HOT range. There's a 10A fuse for the Automatic Transmission Control Unit. Does not appear to be blown. What does this control unit do? Given this revised info re ATF (sorry for my mistake), what else might be the cause of the problems? What should I do/check next?

Can the minor slipping I'm having be caused by the old ATF's being degraded?

Thank you for the thoughtful analysis of the problem and my options. I agree that changing the fluid seems the best way to go. Now the problem is that no local shop is willing to change the fluid! Does the fluid's being dark color mean that it is degraded or something else? Does this reflect a longstanding, chronic condition or one of recent onset. The problem I'm having started suddenly two days ago. Of course the fluid is 15 yrs old, despite the car having only 51,000 miles.

I'm still confused. I don't know what an about "dead" trans means. It just started slipping and is driveable as is.

Thanks for new info. NOW, the trans shop says they do not recommend changing the ATF since it's already dark color and trans is alreadyslipping; that changing fluid would do only make things worse! This is contrary to everything I've learned in this forum and elsewhere. Is there a risk in changing the fluid (15 yrs old with 51,000 miles)? What is it? I'm confused.

I noticed that cost of ATF change quoted/cited in various places on web of $80-100 are way off. In my area prices range from $159-$298!

Went to trans shop today They'll work on it tomorrow. Fluid was BLACK, so a change definitely needed. Quoted me $159 (lowest price in my area actually) if filter and gasket are not exotic and high priced items from Subaru dealer. I went to NAPA and AutoZone: both quoted me $8.99. Both said it takes a "spin-on" type filter with gasket attached. I am hopeful. Should I ask them to check differential fluid? If it needs to be changed, what might that cost?

Finally found the ATF dipstick. I was looking for a yellow ring, but it was black from grime and was nearly invisible. Fluid was as dark as motor oil and was on dipstick way above all the markings shown in diagram (checked cold). Do I wipe stick, as with engine oil, and reinsert to check the level?

It's a 2001 Outback 3.0 VDC wagon, bought new in MA on 9/11/2001 (!!) Has 51,000 miles. Maintained indifferently, I'm afraid. I have been unable even to find the ATF yellow dipstick, so the other two you mentioned are total mysteries. Because trans seems to be slipping I thought I should check th ATF and perhaps Diff fluid too. As reported, all of a sudden it makes a clattering sound with vibrations when putting it into reverse. At same moment that happened, it started to idle roughly if in gear, but not if in neutral. I've never experienced a slipping transmission in any car, so I say it SEEMS to be slipping. Actually when starting from a dead stop the car hesitates (feels like a bubble) if I apply very little throttle. If I apply more gas, that "hiccup" isn't felt. (?) I'm eager to see the manual you uploaded for me, and am wondering why my manual does not mention the transmission AT ALL. (?)

It's a 2001 Outback 3.0 VDC wagon, bought new in MA on 9/11/2001 (!!) Has 51,000 miles. Maintained indifferently, I'm afraid. I have been unable even to find the ATF yellow dipstick, so the other two you mentioned are total mysteries. Because trans seems to be slipping I thought I should check th ATF and perhaps Diff fluid too. As reported, all of a sudden it makes a clattering sound with vibrations when putting it into reverse. At same moment that happened, it started to idle roughly if in gear, but not if in neutral. I've never experienced a slipping transmission in any car, so I say it SEEMS to be slipping. Actually when starting from a dead stop the car hesitates (feels like a bubble) if I apply very little throttle. If I apply more gas, that "hiccup" isn't felt. (?) I'm eager to see the manual you uploaded for me, and am wondering why my manual does not mention the transmission AT ALL. (?)