Okay, I was on my way to the store, and I noticed a sudden loss of power acceleration, and a jump in the RPM's. I figured the transmission had slipped, alright no big deal, let off shifted to neutral, back to drive, and continued on my merry way. Well it happened a few more times. Got there put it in park, the car started to roll backwards. Put on the emergency brake and figured it was part of the same problem. On the way home got a bad vibration on the rear passenger side only while acceleration, either at low or high speeds, but not at consistent speeds nor RPM's. Now my question is, is the car actually worth repairing, I have a new CV joint that I need to put in, and more and more things seem to be going wrong with it, I've had to replace the alternator twice, the rack and pinion, power steering pump, the other CV joint, and it leaks oil, but the mechanics want more to fix it then the car is worth, so I'm not going for that one. Also, its an automatic 2.5 L 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback Limited with about 219,000 miles on it. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

Your mileage is around when the trans begins to die. I would try draining the fluid, replace it with new fluid. Maybe add in a can of Lucas Transmission Stop Slip.

Your mileage is around when the trans begins to die. I would try draining the fluid, replace it with new fluid. Maybe add in a can of Lucas Transmission Stop Slip.

 

 

No they don't dont know where that conclusion came from.

 

Weather the tranny was slipping or not it would not affect park. I think you need to look for a mechanical failure, like a transmission mount (and/or eninge mounts), shift cable or shift cable bracket.

Got there put it in park, the car started to roll backwards. Put on the emergency brake and figured it was part of the same problem.

 

I have a new CV joint that I need to put in.

 

That's where I would start. If you ignored a front CV until it broke, the car will roll in park because the transmission is no longer connected to the front wheels.

 

You will also get a pause in acceleration because the AWD system redirects power to the rear wheels when it sees the front wheels are not moving the car. You're probably running RWD right now, but you won't be for long before the rear transfer clutch pack smokes.

 

If you put the FWD fuse in (rear corner of the passenger side of the engine bay, use any size fuse), I bet it won't move at all.

 

To see if it's an axle or something in the front diff, chock the wheels, put the parking brake full on, put it in drive at idle, and look under the hood to see which axle is spinning but isn't turning a wheel. That's the one you need to replace.

If you ignored a front CV until it broke, the car will roll in park because the transmission is no longer connected to the front wheels.

 

i think we have a winner. the no park is very likely a front axle problem as stated.

i think we have a winner. the no park is very likely a front axle problem as stated.

 

Yeah, that does make sense, looks like I found my project for the weekend. Thanks everyone.

Hi,

Sounds like THIS that happened on my '96 Brighton. Was a broken CV axle.

 

GL,

Td

Your mileage is around when the trans begins to die. I would try draining the fluid, replace it with new fluid. Maybe add in a can of Lucas Transmission Stop Slip.

 

While this may be a possibility. It in no way effects the park mechanism! Please read the problem before answering the question.

 

I too vote for broken cv joint or broken park pawl.

X8 on a broken cv axle. That wil cause all of the above symptoms.

While this may be a possibility. It in no way effects the park mechanism! Please read the problem before answering the question.

 

I too vote for broken cv joint or broken park pawl.

 

You're right. I apologize.