Hello, I'm new to the forum and hope someone has some advice.

I just purchased a very clean 2009 Outback Automatic/Sport Shift 4c and have only put about 600 miles on the car but have already run into an issue.

 

 

After the vehicle is to temp (IE; engine is to temp and transmission is to temp) the car makes a loud thud in the back when shifting into another gear. This could be up shifting or down shifting, doesn't matter.

Automatic or sport shift, both have same result.

 

Sunday I drove the car until it started doing this to see if I could nail down a time frame when the issue would begin relative to a cold start and after it started, this time I got an ATF OIL TEMP light come on. Luckily I was just pulling up to my driveway when this light came on. So I parked it.

 

Before the vehicle is to temp, the vehicle seems to run just fine, without issue.

 

There is no fluids leaking from the transmission or vehicle outside of a tiny bit of steering fluid around the base of the steering column. 

The ATF seems fine but may be a hair full from the dealership - but only a hair full. I can change the fluid if need be but it looks fairly clean.

 

 

 

Searching around the internet leaves me with too much advice so I thought I'd reach out myself. I've seen a lot of make-sense answers but I'm not sure if they apply to me.

It seems like this may be a sensor issue with the differential, its the closest description/issue I've found to my issue, but not exact.

Any clues? If you need any other information I'll be happy to provide.

Thank you!

Edited September 11, 20178 yr by johnb2

are you checking the ATF while idling? many, many people forget it's the only fluid you check with the engine running.

Hi there 1 Lucky Texan (I'm originally from Houston!)

 

Yes I have used the manual to specify the exact operation to check the fluid. Car up to temp (hot) with parking break on, shift through all the gears slowly, engine running, leave it in N or P and check - also on level ground.

It seems a hair full but hard to tell since the fluid is somewhat thin.

 

I was told by a local mechanic to unplug the battery for 15 minutes to let any profiles built up by the computer of the previous owner's driving habits, be reset - as that may cause issues with the performance in various ways. Since I just bought the car and it was moved from East Coast to Colorado, I figured that made sense. I did remove the cables and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Since then I cannot recreate the issue but suspect it's still there. I will be closely monitoring the vehicle to see if it occurs again. I was fairly successful recreating the issue 3 times since it started but could not recreate the issue after the battery disconnect/reconnect.

 

I will post back if the issue is still present or gone to followup in case another has this same issue.

Edited September 11, 20178 yr by johnb2

I know several people have had luck doing three drain and refills of the transmission with new oil.  I believe yours needs the new HP Subaru fluid so that may be a bit expensive.

I would suggest three drain and fills ( a full flush)

Check the transmission mount.

Thanks everyone.

 

It didn't do this for awhile, even when I drove a lot and tried to get it to reproduce. However tonight, the problem started again.

Again the hard shifting and again the AT Temp light came on.

 

I'm taking it in tomorrow to have it looked at.

 

The mount looks solid, clean and dry.

The fluid is to level and a deep red, as if it had been changed recently.

 

It may be the wrong fluid via the car dealer. That would be a big no no and I'm hoping that isn't the case.

 

I'll report back with the findings of the local auto shop. They're really good people and will find the issue.

bump for report?