My 98 Forester has bee developing multiple personality disorder in the transmission. It seems to want to downshift/upshift at very odd points usually in the 25-45 MPH range. No codes. Any ideas? Does it have a filter?

Yes it has a filter. More then likely in the pan style, IIRC they didn't have the screw on kind until 2000. Drain, drop pan, change filter, re-seal. Add trans-X first, then top off with regular DEX-Merc or Chevron MDIII…see of that helps. If not, you may be headed towards the land of duty solenoid 3 failure ala torque bind. 

Upshift/downshift issues will have nothing to do with the duty C solenoid (more properly called the transfer dity solenoid) or the AWD functionality.

 

No check engine light and no codes, does the ATF temp light flash on startup?

 

does the ATF temp light flash on startup?

 

this^.

 

any work done recently ?

 

i had a really squirrelly issue with my 00 lego which was caused by a loose ground wire.

i failed to tight the bolt holding the ground wire.

but the problem did not occur for months,

until i replaced an axle and knocked it loose.

 

the trans would usually shift up to D but then for no reason it would down shift to 3.

if i shifted in to 3, it would down shift to 2, sometimes.

it gave me a flashing AT Temp light when i was driving .

but not at start up, and no trans codes.

 

i found one reference to a similar problem on line, here i think, in a 96 outback.

and went looking for a loose wire.

and i found it.

 

i was really scared i was looking at a new trans.

Edited December 16, 201312 yr by johnceggleston