my 92 legacy transmission lets go while idling causing a hard jump when I give it gas while leaving a stop. it also slips in reverse when the trans is cold if I don't put it reverse and sit there for a few seconds before moving. any ideas?

Fluid level OK? How old is the fluid?

Trans fluid dipstick is on the drivers side near the starter.

just changed the fluid and filter. no burnt smell and levels ok. Not new to cars, just this type of transmission problem. put in Castrol import multi vehicle fluid.

was doing this before the fluid change.

Trans uses Dex3, but fluid probably not the problem.

 

There was an issue with the early models that have an inline filter between the trans and the cooler (in radiator) and the filter gets plugged and causes problems.

Check if it has the inline filter. Should be somewhere along the frame rail on the drivers side if it has it. If it doesn't have the filter you could try bypassing the cooler temporarily to rule out an obstruction there.

 

Otherwise, probably gonna be looking for a new trans.

forgot to mention it has been doing this over a year now. just getting tired of it. started all at once and hasn't got better or worse.

Has the AT temp light or Power light ever come on?

no

Sure sounds like low fluid level or low line pressure (internal leaks or tolerances too loose): either way, at idle you don't have enough pressure to hold the clutches engaged so it effectively goes to neutral. once you rev up the engine (and fluid pump) pressure rises and the clutches engage suddenly. Esp since you say it started all of a sudden, it makes me think a seal blew out inside the transmission.