Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 19, 2008 Share Posted March 19, 2008 I had my transmission rebuilt about a month ago. all the solenoids and torque converter were replaced as well. Last week as i was coming off the highway the car started to shudder as if the torque converter was going. By the time i got to the mechanic the next day the tranny light was flashing and the check engine light was on. The tranny started shifting abnormally and gradually got worse until it barely shifted at all. The mechanic told me the code said it was a bad speed sensor. Is this correct? I'm thinking they did a poor job and don't want to honor their warranty.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 which subaru is this? The car has two VSS sensors. One in the front, and one in the rear (or in the spedo head). If one fails, the other will take over, but you will loose your AWD. If you loose them both you will loose your spedo, and you will have avery odd shift pattern, along with a reduction of power, and top speed limited to 50. It would be interesting to know exactly what the codes are. If the TC was locked up, the car would stall every time you stopped. Did someone check the fluid level? This is a really wierd failure mode in what is basically a bullitproof tranny. Did someone try putting the FWD fuse in the holder and see what happens? nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 the car is a 99 outback limited ed, automatic. The fluid was checked two weeks after the rebuild and five days before the problem started - it was fine according to the mechanic. The first symptom was a shudder when stopping - it seemd like the torque converter was locking but not fully. Then, it started shifting erratically shortly after the shudder started. Then, the trnny light started flashing and the shifting became more erratic. Then, the check engine light came on and it seemed to stop shifting completely. I'm pretty sure it was stuck in 2nd gear. The speedo was working the last time I looked but the tranny light, check engine light and shifting issues all occured within a mile or so of the mechanic so I really just wanted to stop driving it before it got damaged more. I know replacing the Torque converter is tricky. Could poor installation create this scenario? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 It's in limp mode, which is rare for a subaru to go into. Does your spedo work? The codes need to be pulled from the ECU and TCU before we can even begin to guess whats wrong. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Could poor installation create this scenario? who did the work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 The codes were read by the mechanic and he indicated it was the speed sensor. Not sure if the speedo is working - the car is at the shop and I didn't notice when I dropped it off. The car was worked on by a bunch of Spanish guys at a place called Relco. I was lured by the false promise of getting a bargain. The tranny does have a year warranty but it only covers the worked they origianlly performed, not additional problems like a speed sensor. Hopefully, i learned my lesson this time. It is always best to go to Soob specialist or do the work yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Its possible its the speed sensor. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 I'll let you know next week after the part arrives. but, what would cause the speed sensor to go coincidentally afet an expensive tranny rebuild? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 the speed sensor is not causing these issues. you are experiencing transmission problems and the speed sensor is just showing up as a symptom, most likely an incorrect code due to some strange ailment internally. it's a symptom not a cause here. what's even better is that the speed sensors are really easy to replace and since they rarely fail are a dime a dozen used. so if you wanted to rule it out, it would be easy to remove, install another and watch the transmission do the same thing. i think they're trying to avoid warranty work, they didn't do something right. used transmissions are the best option in my opinion. $100-$500 usually. my $150 3 month warranty 100,000 mile EJ trans is running great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Gross i'm thinking maybe an harness got damaged. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 Gross i'm thinking maybe an harness got damaged. nipper copy that - check the connectors and pins then too - i've seen bent pins before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 20, 2008 Author Share Posted March 20, 2008 It did seem OK for a little over two weeks before it started acting up except for maybe being a little slow accelerating. I figured the car being slow was just the way the car runs. I was having trouble with the tranny for so long I was just happy that it would go when i stepped on the gas. Plus, I am used to driving a 5 speed turbo prior to getting this car. Forgive my ignorance, but a "harness" refers to wiring, correct? Inside or outside of the tranny? My main goal here is to have enough information to get the repair covered under warranty and argue that the malfunction is a result of their work and not just a part breaking because of normal wear and tear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 It did seem OK for a little over two weeks before it started acting up except for maybe being a little slow accelerating. I figured the car being slow was just the way the car runs. I was having trouble with the tranny for so long I was just happy that it would go when i stepped on the gas. Plus, I am used to driving a 5 speed turbo prior to getting this car. Forgive my ignorance, but a "harness" refers to wiring, correct? Inside or outside of the tranny? My main goal here is to have enough information to get the repair covered under warranty and argue that the malfunction is a result of their work and not just a part breaking because of normal wear and tear. This is due to thier work, not wear and tear. these are transmissions that are almost trouble free for the life of the car. It can be the external harness, or a pinched wire inside the transmission. Either way, it is their problem. Contact the BBB in your area and file a complaint. nipper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idosubaru Posted March 20, 2008 Share Posted March 20, 2008 yes - first they should check the connector that plugs into the speed sensors. could be damaged, not fully seated, dirty or a bent pin. either way an easy fix and an issue that would have been caused by them. if that checks out the actual wiring to the sensor should be checked. but that bizarre shifting and stuff you're mentioning does not sound like a speed sensor problem. i would want to unplug the speed sensor and see how it drives, it should still run fine with it unplugged. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sewoolf@ptdprolog.net Posted March 27, 2008 Author Share Posted March 27, 2008 I got the car back yesterday. The mechanic didn't charge me anything since I paid a bundle for the rebuild. He said it was the speed sensor. When asked what caused it to go he claimed "wear and tear". The tranny seems OK overall but the shifting is a little rough at times - not quite a slip but close. The car also seems to be using an awful lot of gas. I'll monitor gas use and watch closely for the next few days but I have a feeling more problems are on the horizon. Good thing I have a warranty for a year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aircraft engineer Posted March 27, 2008 Share Posted March 27, 2008 Probably done by one of those "Nationally Known Shops" like AAMCO (where's the "sarcasm" emoticon when you REALLY NEED IT? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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