I just picked up a nice 98 outback for 500 bucks knowing that it has trans problems. The fluid is clean with no burnt smiles but it keeps downshifting

even on the flats. Is it the TCU or ?. No codes are showing

I just picked up a nice 98 outback for 500 bucks knowing that it has trans problems. The fluid is clean with no burnt smiles but it keeps downshifting

even on the flats. Is it the TCU or ?. No codes are showing

 

It downshifts from which gear to which? At what speed does it typically occur?

It downshifts from which gear to which? At what speed does it typically occur?

 

 

all speeds 4th to 3rd THANKS for replying

all speeds 4th to 3rd THANKS for replying

are you sure its not torqeconverter to 4th? may be the torqeconverter not staying locked in.

are you sure its not torqeconverter to 4th? may be the torqeconverter not staying locked in.

 

No I'm not sure , I thought that also but this is my first Subaru and problem with a locking torque converter ,what would cause that?

after thinking about this, is the engine in tune? that is activated by throttle position,if the engine is not up to par the trans is sensing a lot of throttle which is going to kick it down. will it kick down off the throttle?

Try driving in D3 and see what happens, i agree i dont think this is a tranny issue, but a bad sensor someplace.

 

 

nipper

Try driving in D3 and see what happens, i agree i dont think this is a tranny issue, but a bad sensor someplace.

 

 

nipper

 

last night on the way home from work I tried to narrow it down a little,

in 4th it keeps going from 1500 rpm to 3500 back and forth this is at about 40 mph , when it was at the higher rpm I downshifted 3rd and there was no change in rpm . I also tried this at 60 mph low rpm was 2500 and close to 4000 when it kept downshifting. I also downshifted at this speed and there was no change in 3rd at the higher rpm. So for some reason it's going into passing gear or 3rd . I also believe it's a sensor or TCI but finding out which one will be tough. Thanks for all the help you guys

does the green power light on the dash flash at any time? there is a way to get codes from this.

does the green power light on the dash flash at any time? there is a way to get codes from this.

 

I didn't notice any

have you tried driving in the manual mode?[button on side of shifter]?

Ed:

I don't think this car has a green power light or manual mode button, my 97 OB has neither of those. The only button on the shifter is the one you depress to allow you to shift to/from park, R, D, etc. I think you're thinking of the first gen Legacies?

 

To the original poster:

I'm amazed you got a 98 Outback that actually drives for $500, congrats! It would go for much more here.

 

Steve

Ed:

 

I don't think this car has a green power light or manual mode button, my 97 OB has neither of those. The only button on the shifter is the one you depress to allow you to shift to/from park, R, D, etc. I think you're thinking of the first gen Legacies?

 

I'm amazed you got a 98 Outback that actually drives for $500, congrats! It would go for much more here.

 

Steve

you are right,thats going to make it tough to figure out now.

you are right,thats going to make it tough to figure out now.

That indication has moved to the "AT Oil Temp" light now. If there is a code, it will flash 16 times, and you need to ground the diagnistics pin under the kickplate to get the code to flash.

That indication has moved to the "AT Oil Temp" light now. If there is a code, it will flash 16 times, and you need to ground the diagnistics pin under the kickplate to get the code to flash.

 

 

Thanks everybody I think reading the codes will be my next move