Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Ultimate Subaru Message Board

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Subaru transmission issue question

Featured Replies

WOW... this is a cool place!

Enjoyed browsing around... lots of stuff to read!

 

In 2010, I bought a 1995 Legacy wagon, love the car!!!

2.2 engine, automatic transmission, vehicle is literally loaded; fancy wheels, PW, PDL, Pmirror adjusters, sunroof, audio disc radio, leather, etc!

And other than the issue below and a few minor dings, the car is in remarkably good condition for its age!

 

Recently, it developed a transmission issue: no reverse.  This literally happened overnight (previous day reverse worked, next day putting the shifter in R the engine revs freely).  After some research, I came to this idea:  clutches wear out gradually (slipping), electrical stuff just quits.  If that logic is true... then I am thinking there is something wrong with the electrical part of the automatic transmission. 

 

I went through the transmission threads in the repair and knowledge base section... could not find much to help...

Did figure out this is a '4EAT' transmission.

 

Is there a way to test the electricals or read codes, to determine if a loose wire or a solenoid in the valve body has failed???
I hate to 'throw 'parts' at something... especially if I have to remove the tranny pan every time I throw some more parts at it.

Decades ago... in a different life (grin)... I did auto mechanics for a living... now I run a heating and AC company (mostly residential).

 

So far, I have done a filter/fluid kit... still no reverse.  I did notice some wires and connectors inside, checked them, they all seemed tight and no frayed wires. This will date me... my experience with automatic transmissions, it just seems weird to see wires inside a tranny.  The ones I used to work on, were 100% hydraulic valve bodies.

 

THX for guidance to any articles (here or on the internet)...

The idea of a used tranny... is a lot of $$$ for a vehicle this old... however if that is the only option... well, I do have the tools and expertise to do the swap... :)

Then there is the possibility of a rebuild kit and a rebuild... have not given that too much though (yet).

 

I am really 'hoping' (grin) this will be an electrical problem, I can repair it, and all will be good for a while... :)

 

THX again for any help with this issue... grin!

 

GA (nickname from another forum, I live in the metro Atlanta area)

 

 

You need a used transmission. The problem is not electrical. Reverse and 3rd will work even if you unplug the computer from the car. It doesn't need any computer logic for reverse since there is no shifting behavior to control when in reverse. It's a purely manual controlled gear. 

 

GD

Drop a used trans in

 

Find tons here:

Www.car-part.com

 

Loosing reverse happens and GDs posts confirms my suspicion as I’ve never heard of it being fixed/fixable but haven’t tried myself.

There can be a few different reasons for losing reverse but generally that's the signal of the beginning of the end. Used trans time.

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

Sign In Now

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.