February 24, 200917 yr My 91 legacy fwd automatic behaves strange from time to time. Few days ago i started it and selected reverse with foot on brake then car jumped backward so slammed the pedal and engine stalled. Moved to park and tried again same story, just did not want to crush the back in to the tree 1 meter back. So started again and left it for few seconds gave some throttle and response was fine. Shifted to reverse and no problem. Today started quickly (or normal) moved lever from P to D and drove away without problem. However had to stop after 50 meters and think it just shifted to 2nd. Had to stop and pressed brake, car started to force (like pressing the brake in a manual without pressing the clutch). So pushed it deeper and suddenly released gear. Went from 400 rpm to 900 (at 35F outside temperature). Then drove 40 miles without problem. Gearbox locks-up normally after about 12 miles (haven't seen shorter distance in this winter so think it is normal). I have the idea the transmission was locked-up in both cases can this be true. It drives fine, fluid is spot on when warm and engine running, was replaced 15k miles ago. Only thing i changes is that now i drive more often (last two months 2000 miles a month, instead of 500 a month) Car has about 180k miles. Milage is about 29 mpg (not joking).
February 24, 200917 yr sounds like lockup to me, maybe do a drain and fill again and see what happens. This would ,make more sense if you were coming down from speed though.
February 24, 200917 yr If there is a wire from the TCU to the trans to control the lock-up mechanism, maybe the wire is shorted or crossed or damaged? Dave
February 24, 200917 yr Wow i never heard of this on a sooby, but yes your TQ is locking up at the wrong time, and i have the feeling this may not be an electrical issue. The 4eat will lock up in all gears (in theory). http://www.endwrench.com/pdf/feb2004pdf/4EAT.pdf What happens if you manually shift the car? Its possible the solenoid is stuck or one of the internal seals are leaking and allowing fluid to get past. I think maynbe the next thing to look at would be the harnesses and unplug the one that controls the TQ and see what happens. nipper
February 24, 200917 yr Wow i never heard of this on a sooby, but yes your TQ is locking up at the wrong time, and i have the feeling this may not be an electrical issue. The 4eat will lock up in all gears (in theory). http://www.endwrench.com/pdf/feb2004pdf/4EAT.pdf What happens if you manually shift the car? Its possible the solenoid is stuck or one of the internal seals are leaking and allowing fluid to get past. I think maynbe the next thing to look at would be the harnesses and unplug the one that controls the TQ and see what happens. nipper Kind of like the old GM rear wheel drive transmissions, unplug the lockup torque converter plug when they fail. People would unplug them and keep driving the car with no lockup and a few mpg's less.
February 24, 200917 yr Kind of like the old GM rear wheel drive transmissions, unplug the lockup torque converter plug when they fail. People would unplug them and keep driving the car with no lockup and a few mpg's less. Any old GM for that matter, did that with my fathers FWD Olds. But i think the control system is more integrated then that, and we may not be that lucky in a sooby, as this is such an unusual problem. I sort of remember someone having this brfor on a sooby, and he needed a TQ. nipper
February 25, 200917 yr key info: is the AT light flashing on start up? has the fluid been changed since installing the new trans? i would never install a new motor/trans and just leave the original fluid in it. one of the earlier auto trans had a specific recall involving an inline filter, is this yours? what was the reason for the replacement/rebuild?
February 25, 200917 yr key info: is the AT light flashing on start up? has the fluid been changed since installing the new trans? i would never install a new motor/trans and just leave the original fluid in it. one of the earlier auto trans had a specific recall involving an inline filter, is this yours? what was the reason for the replacement/rebuild? I read that as the fluid was replaced 15,000 miles ago, not the tranny. nipper
February 25, 200917 yr Author Thanks for all the replies. Nope no errors are shown (by power light). It drives fine it just happened two times and never ever had noticed it before. The tranny was completely rebuild about 50k miles ago. The stalling with the reversing could also be blamed on the engine. I always have this drop in rpms when shifting from park to a gear when cold and when it is too much it stalls. Although that only happened when I didn't drove it for some time and it was very wet (rain). Car runs rough then it just takes few moments. Normal behavoure is fine, shifts smooth in every gear, also manual, locks-up nicely when it should. But was just curious what it could be. Had pushed it in neutral when it happened and then no problems. Is the tranny locked when in park and engine off? I idea what happens when gearbox gets unplugged while driving (like loose connector)? As far as i know without the TCU connected it should run 3rd gear only. Edited February 25, 200917 yr by rverdoold adding
February 25, 200917 yr Author key info: what was the reason for the replacement/rebuild? So indeed rebuild 50k miles ago. I dont know the reason. Subies were (and are) still very rare here in holland. Most likely indeed it was the metal bits in the oil as with most of them in that time.
February 25, 200917 yr Try changing the fluid and see what comes out, cant hurt anything at all. Maybe you will find death metal on the drain plug, and I don't mean the terrible music kind:)
February 25, 200917 yr The stalling with the reversing could also be blamed on the engine. I always have this drop in rpms when shifting from park to a gear when cold and when it is too much it stalls. Although that only happened when I didn't drove it for some time and it was very wet (rain). . Have you ever replaced the igintion wires on this car? nipper
February 25, 200917 yr Try changing the fluid and see what comes out, cant hurt anything at all. Maybe you will find death metal on the drain plug, and I don't mean the terrible music kind:) No love for Dethklok, eh? Dave
February 25, 200917 yr Author Have you ever replaced the igintion wires on this car? nipper Well that's an issue. Since the freaking martens attacked them couple of times i forced myself to take them out every day when i get home. I can't park near my house neither on the same spot every day. My cables have been eaten and cost here 30 (euro conversion) EACH . So i measured them and all are within the Haynes manual range. Stupidly i dont put the right ones to the right cylinder every time, should do that. Also i got some crashed car cables with 2x cyl 1 and 2x cyl 3 and using those now. Idle when warm is perfect, Idle when cold is also very good starting at 1100 slowly going down to 800.
February 27, 200917 yr Author Will running rough (a bit on 3cyl) cause it to stall when cold? Think it is not problem of gearbox but more the engine. How much are spark cables in the states cause will go to Orlando, Fl in April for conference.
March 1, 200917 yr Will running rough (a bit on 3cyl) cause it to stall when cold? Think it is not problem of gearbox but more the engine. How much are spark cables in the states cause will go to Orlando, Fl in April for conference. around $100 for a set from dealer. Aren't martens birds? Why would they attack your wires? Mice ate mine. Make sure your coil pack is well also.
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