2000 Subaru outback 2.5 --at oil temperature warning light flashing after engine head gaskets replaced. ?

Also check engine light came on a short time later. Car runs fine but tranny not shifting right. Car has automatic tranny and when starting out there is a clunk at around 5mph and does not seem to want to go into overdrive.

Real longshot but check to make sure the transmission wiring harness is all connected. Sort of between the firewall and the backside of engine. Real good chance it was unplugged when the HG were done.

Real longshot but check to make sure the transmission wiring harness is all connected. Sort of between the firewall and the backside of engine. Real good chance it was unplugged when the HG were done.

 

 

check to make sure none of the pins are bent.

if this is the result of work, who did it? have them look at it?

 

my first step would be to retrieve the engine codes, that's easy and many stores do it for free. that would help us a lot. check engine light means a code is stored, knowing that code really helps narrow things down.

 

getting the transmission codes would be nice as well. if the AT light flashes 16 times at start up then it has a code stored. knowing that code would be nice.

 

wonder how the temperature sensor works? it prevents the AT from going into 4th gear until a certain temperature was reached.

The tranny cooler lines would have to have been disconnected also to do the head gasket job. I wouldn't be surprised if they forgot to reconnect them, or didn't connect them properly.

 

Emily

http://www.ccrengines.com

I had the exact problem after my head gaskets had been replaced. Long problem, hopefully short fix. If your 2000 is the same as my 1999, there is an inline resistor on the passenger side inner fender wall. Mine had been bent at some point when the engine had been removed and reinstalled. It looked good on the outside but internally it had pulled one of the four wires loose. I went through maney dollars and repairs before finding the problem, hope this helps you. P.S. Another forum member had advised me of this potential problem when I was stumped but no one I reported it to thought to look inside the resistor till 7 months and a total rebuild failed to solve the problem God luck, Bob

Look underneath @ the tranny pan...if it's dented you likely have this ISSUE.

 

Pull the codes - Autozones let you use the OBDII scanner for free.

 

Good luck.

TD

Edited December 27, 200817 yr by wtdash