My wife and I just purchased a 97 Outback Limited 2.5L with auto trans. It has 331,000 miles. Not sure have frequent the maintenance was before we bought it. I have changed all of the fluids including both differentials. I did a multiple fliud change on the transmission (4X) and did run some Lucas trans flush thru it on the first change.

Now here is my issue.

When cruising at highway speed in D (60 mph) when I depress the accelerator the transmission appears to be trying to downshift and the engine revs to above 5000 rpm. Releasing pressure on the accelerator the transmission goes back into gear and I can continue on down the road. I also have the same issue if I manually put the trans in 3rd with the shifter at highway speed, but to stop the slipping I have to put the shifter back in D.

The trans shifts normally from a dead stop all the way up to highway speed even while under hard acceleration. The issue only seems to come up when downshifting.

No transmission or check engine lights are on at all.

Any help I can get with this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by acman

not a good sign.

i'd start saving up for a trans,

and i wouldn't push it too hard.

 

it may last a long time, but .......

 

what happens if you manually shift it into 3 from 4?

So it shifts firmly through the gears when accelerating, but downshifting to 3rd it just freewheels?  If the shifter is in 3, do you have engine braking?

 

In 3rd, there are three clutches engaged, the "High" clutch, the "Forward" clutch, and the "3-4 OWC".  The "High" clutch is used in 3rd and 4th gears, and is known for burning out.  The "Forward" clutch is used in all forward gears, and doesn't commonly fail.  With the shifter in 3 the OWC is bypassed by the "Overrunning" clutch, and it's unlikely both have failed.

 

If it shifts very nicely when accelerating but only on downshift it freewheels, I'd consider the possibility that you have a sticking "Shift valve A".  This is inside the valve body that can be removed with the trans in the car, but it is a messy job.

 

If the trans has not been rebuilt/replaced in the 331,000 miles, a full rebuild or a used replacement is probably your best bet.

not a good sign.

i'd start saving up for a trans,

and i wouldn't push it too hard.

 

it may last a long time, but .......

 

what happens if you manually shift it into 3 from 4?

I I will check later and see what happens from 3 to 4 and post the info.

 

So it shifts firmly through the gears when accelerating, but downshifting to 3rd it just freewheels?  If the shifter is in 3, do you have engine braking?

Yes that is correct. I will check to see if there is engine braking in 3 later and post the findings.

In 3rd, there are three clutches engaged, the "High" clutch, the "Forward" clutch, and the "3-4 OWC".  The "High" clutch is used in 3rd and 4th gears, and is known for burning out.  The "Forward" clutch is used in all forward gears, and doesn't commonly fail.  With the shifter in 3 the OWC is bypassed by the "Overrunning" clutch, and it's unlikely both have failed.

 

If it shifts very nicely when accelerating but only on downshift it freewheels, I'd consider the possibility that you have a sticking "Shift valve A".  This is inside the valve body that can be removed with the trans in the car, but it is a messy job.

 

If the trans has not been rebuilt/replaced in the 331,000 miles, a full rebuild or a used replacement is probably your best bet.

I am thinking the same thing about the trans. I would just like to see if I can get some more time out of it before I replace it.

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by acman

Heres what I've got.

While cruising at 55 mph in drive if I manually downshift to 3 I have engine braking. If I depress the pedal and try to accelerate the trans slips and no acceleration occurs. Put it back in D and off I go with no problems unless I press down on the accelerator enough to cause a downshift and then I'm back to engine reving up to 5000 rpm like it's in neutral.

Going from 3 to D (4) manually it is only slipping while in 3 (at 55 mph) and as soon as I shift it up to D I have powered forward motion.

One other thing I noticed. If i'm on a highway on ramp at around 40-45 mph I can get it to downshift no problem and accelerate without any slipping.

Any Ideas?

Edited October 23, 201312 yr by acman