December 30, 200520 yr The Subaru is a 1999 Legacy SUS with 2.5L engine. My problem is that sometimes (more often than not) when I kick down there is a momentary lag and then what's best described as a slam into the lower gear which doesn't feel good and probably isn't. The dealer pleads ignorance as to what it might be (and I unfortunately believe it!). Any suggestions
December 30, 200520 yr The Subaru is a 1999 Legacy SUS with 2.5L engine. My problem is that sometimes (more often than not) when I kick down there is a momentary lag and then what's best described as a slam into the lower gear which doesn't feel good and probably isn't. The dealer pleads ignorance as to what it might be (and I unfortunately believe it!). Any suggestions I have that only at high speeds in my '03 OBW . Kinda scary when you're doing 75-80 and it slams into low gear! I'm gonna have a different dealer look at it in a week or 2 - I'll try to repost after that. I may have to take a tech for an interesting test drive!
December 30, 200520 yr My problem is that sometimes (more often than not) when I kick down there is a momentary lag and then what's best described as a slam into the lower gear which doesn't feel good and probably isn't. There are lots of possible causes, but I'd suggest that the first thing to do (if you haven't already) is check the fluid level. Make sure it's done hot, and using the proper procedure - see the owner's manual. Either under- or over-fill is problematical. Next is to consider that the 4EAT, like most auto transmissions, has some close-fitting parts that need to work in a very clean environment. Unfortunately, trans fluids can get gummy ("varnish"), and things begin to stick; if the trans hasn't seen new fluid in lots of miles it may be time for a flush. Sticking shift solenoids and/or duty solenoids, among other things, may loosen up and resolve the problem if nothing was damaged by waiting too long. Of course, since the "E" in 4EAT stands for "Electronic", there could be a problem related to that. But I'd think about the fluid first. I found two links that might be of interest; the first is for the phase-1 4EAT, the second the phase-2: http://endwrench.com/pdf/feb2004pdf/4EAT.pdf http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/4EAatPh2Win04.pdf There are apparently "fail safe" modes that the trans can go into if it detects a problem, and might cause some strange-feeling operation. Also, a scanner might be able to find stored codes that could give someone (although maybe not your dealer ) a clue. I don't know off-hand what's applicable to phase-1 versus phase-2. My own '99 OBW developed a slow trans fluid leak in something Subaru basically says you might never need to change - the external spin-on filter. Road salt apparently got onto the filter can and ate a hole through it! I got lucky and noticed the problem in my driveway. A trip to the dealer courtesy of my brother, purchase of a new filter at $36 from the dealer, a filter wrench and fluid from an auto parts store, and time under the OB (on my back) and over it (with a long funnel) got me back on the road. After a short trip for warmup, I checked and adjusted the level. It's been okay since (well, the trans has, anyway ).
December 30, 200520 yr The Subaru is a 1999 Legacy SUS with 2.5L engine. My problem is that sometimes (more often than not) when I kick down there is a momentary lag and then what's best described as a slam into the lower gear which doesn't feel good and probably isn't. The dealer pleads ignorance as to what it might be (and I unfortunately believe it!). Any suggestions my 97 obw with 182,00 miles does it only at full throttle (stomp on the gas). if i squeeze the gas pedal it doesnt do it. A fluid flush helped it, but it still does it to a degree. nipper
December 30, 200520 yr Okay guys, I found another PDF covering the 4EAT in some detail. If you can get your head around this, maybe you can tell the dealer what's wrong or fix it yourself: http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/4EAT.pdf
December 30, 200520 yr Okay guys, I found another PDF covering the 4EAT in some detail. If you can get your head around this, maybe you can tell the dealer what's wrong or fix it yourself:http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/4EAT.pdf Seems like a pressure test is in order - though I admit some of that is way above my head. good post carl
January 1, 200620 yr Author Thaks everyone. Once the holidays are out of the way and everyone is back in work mode, I will try to follow through with these threads. Hopefully I will find some mechanic that knows more than how to change fluids.
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