duane b

I hope you guys can help me out. I was informed that possibly the auto-tranny was replaced in our 96 legacy wgn. Since we bought it, the AT OIL TEMP light flashes at start up. I've taken it in to Subaru (not a lot of knowledge there) they said it could possibly be the clutch pack. We had them do a tranny service and we still get the flashing light and a slight torque bind when cold. My bro-in-law who works on Subs and the guy that owns Aaron's in Seattle (Subie wrecking yard) both believe that another tranny or rear end was put into the car with a different gear ratio. I was told that most legacys have 4.10:1 with the exeption of a couple of earlier years. How would I identify those trannies with a different gear ratio? If I do have a mismatched ratio and the clutch pack is shot, what would be a good year for a used tranny to go into a 96? I heard 95,96,97 were prone to clutch pak problems. I won't be paying Subaru $1400 for a clutch pack rebuild when it will go out again if my bro-in-law is right. Thanks. p.s. IT"S SNOWING IN SEATTLE! can't wait to drive my wife's car around just to see how it handles.

Just a couple of thoughts: 1. does it seem to do it more when it's cold out? does it clear up when the tranny is warm? 2. we had a slight torque bind problem that was cleared up with a tranny flush and new fluid. 3. check the air pressure and circumfrence of all of your tires. if the size is different in one of them you will get the binding problem. good luck.

I read the website you mentioned. If the guy is talking about the clutch-pack assembly, I was quoted twice the amount he mentioned. There should also be a some sort of Tech Bulletin form Subaru about tire wear and how it affects clutch pack wear in the owners manual because if I knew the repair bill would be $1400 I never would've bought the car I did. It had one low tire (15psi) for how long before I bought it no one knows. Now the clutch pack assembly will need replacing according to Subaru Service. The $1400 was their quote. I told them I will drive the car into it's grave before I give them $1400! The funny thing is the car drives great, no problems with the tranny. My AT OIL TEMP light flashes a code (27 i think), but it acts fine as far as I'm concerned. It's a 96 L AWD wagon with 90K. Bought it only 4 months ago. Just my story.

I took mine to Walker's in Renton. Can't say I was too impressed with them. They didn't seem to know much more than I did after doing some reading here: http://www.endwrench.com/pages/home.html My AT TEMP OIL light was flashing a code. They siad it could be this it could be that it could cost $1400! The car still runs and shifts great so I can't see how anything that's not even noticeable, cost $1400! The light still flashes, the car still drives great, so be it. If you find a good Subie Service in the Seattle area let me know. SUBIEGAL says her old man works at Auburn Subaru but that's a little far out of town for me. She recommended Carter but I've heard from a couple of people their service is so so, depending on what the problem is. Good luck.

Engineering, no but Subaru Service, YES! I was not impressed the last time I brought my 96 legacy in to the dealership service dept. And from reading this board a lot of other people aren't that impressed with Sub Dealer Service either. The funny thing about Dealership Service departments (All Of Them!) Is they act like they don't know how to fix their own cars and trucks. They only have to work on Subarus or Fords or whatever. But come to find out that a problem exists far and wide in a particular model, the service reps play stupid about it, even though they've seen it time and time again. Imagine what life was like before internet discussion boards. No advice, no previous experience, and no help to share. ps. IU would like to talk to the Sub engineers about those crappy seals that leak like clockwork. This has been a problem since day one for Subs. I've owned three GL models and this is my first Legacy, they all leak! All my friends Subs leak, also. At least they engineered the seals easy to replace:burnout:

Are you a tire engineer? Auto engineer? Sorry, but you won't convince me that Ford had nothing to do with the fiasco nor will you convince me that UNDERinflating tires is a good thing. It WAS the underinflating the exaserbated the tire and roll over problem. Since when did tire delaminations result in rollover accidents?!? Running tires at 40PSI will STILL result in Ford Exploders rolling over. I will still shop at Les Schwab because they treat me and everyone I talk to (with the exeption of you), right. Nobody is perfect but if you alienate all tire stores then who are you going to get tires and service from? Goodyear? Firestone? Discount Tire? Have a great time! I've been screwed by all of them. I've found something that works for me and I will stick with it. If you've been screwed over SO many times why did you keep going back? You seem to complain a lot but you offer no positive suggestions or aternatives. This is all too typical of people in the puget sound region. Like complaining about the weather when you can't do a damn thing about it.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. The note seems to have a whiff of jealousy to it. If the guy thinks the Avalanche is good looking then his opinion doesn't amount to SQUUAATTT!!! Although your opinion of movies isn't much better. Woody Allen is a grotesque old man that shouldn't be let anywhere near women under 40 years old. It's just too sick to watch.:boohoo:

efgarro, you are the prize winner for the week! I took the car into Subaru, they pulled the code "27". They said it was 'probably' the Clutch pack or some such thing. It will cost $1400! Nice car. I did however fix the torque bind problem with a tranny service and fixed a rear tire with a slow leak. It shifts nicer too. But the "AT OIL TEMP" light keeps flashing the code, even after resetting the computer. I don't know if I should just sell it and hope I get what I paid for it. Or drive it 'til the clutch pack dies and buy a used one from a '97. Hmmm...:cornfuzz:

Has anyone ever taken there Sub to other places for a tranny service other than the Dealer? What was your experience? Was it worth it or should I pay the $$ for Subaru to get it right. It seems like these trannies are a weeee bit tempermental when it comes to service. In other words they're not exactly bullit proof from everything I've read on this board. I want the car to last as long as possible w/o any major repair bills for a while. We just bought the car ('96 L AWD WGN) a couple of months back and it only has 90K. I think it was taken care of pretty good by the previous owner. Thanks for the replies.

Dude, is there an emoticon for "Blowing smoke up my arse"???

How much was the TB, WP, and seal service??

Hello? Does anyone remember the Ford Exploder/Firestone Tire fiasco? Ever since then I go with what's printed on the tire, screw the auto mfg! Ford was too concerned about "ride quality" and pruposely underinflated (unsafe?) the tires by quite a bit. Besides, your gas mileage and handling would do better with tires inflated at the higher end of the range anyway. Don't slam Les Schwab too much, they are by far the best tire store around the PNW. They're the only ones to get my front end alignment correct after Goodyear and Firestone dealers both f**ked up. Jiffy Lube? never used them probably won't. But I stick with what works for me.

CARFAX and other similar websites are a great way to go. For $20 for a month it is well worth the piece of mind. I'll bet that LSI will show up as a wreck. We just bought a 96 Legacy AWD WGN. Our CARFAX printout showed that we were the second (real) owner inspite of buying from a lot. It showed that it was originally from our area (Seattle) so I know it probably doesn't have hidden rust from salted roads in the east. It showed that it always passed emissions so it was in pretty good working order and it showed the mileage on the OD to be fairly reliable. Everything works on it. Other than that the car is dependable although basic transportation. My wife uses it for her work. I can't wait to take it snowbaording this winter to see how well AWD really works. Plus my Trooper gets about half the gas mileage the Legacy does. My wife named it "Lucy"

And how do you fix it? We have a 96 Legacy AWD AT wgn. Bought it, drove perfect, took it on a road trip 2000+ miles. Now it's a little lurchy when turning tight ratio turns and sometimes on acceleration. Not bad but definitely increased since we bought it a couple of months ago. I could see it getting worse as time goes on. I've noticed it in several Legacys we test drove. It scared me away from them to the car we decided on. Now we have it. I was going to have a tranny service done but if it might be something else I would like to know. Thanks.

Please name them! Walker's is close to my work but a woman in my office didn't like dealing with them. I've heard good and bad about most in the seattle area. Subiegal suggested Auburn Sub but they're a little far for me. Don't want to be stuck in Auburn for too long:brow: Thanks.

"In all my years of subaru's (15+ subarus, 14 or so years of having at least 1 subaru, more often 2-3) I have never brought any of my cars to a mechanic for anything!" Well, now that you own a Legacy autotrans, that'll surely change! Not to dog on Subaru but I haven't been too impressed with their autotransmissions. It doesn't seem like too many people know how to work on them, even Subaru service! Seems like the number one solution is "REPLACE IT!$$$!" Good luck!

I saw an unmarked Forester at an accident scene in Seattle last year. Pretty sneaky!

Thanks a bunch! He's not the Aussie dude in the TV comercials, is he?:^)

"What is going on with Subaru??? It seems like since GM has taken over everything is falling to pieces. I have had a number of duff new OE parts." SETRIGHT, Me thinks you answered your own question! Since GM has taken over Isuzu, the same thing happened!

hey Subiegal, Which Dealerships do you and your other 1/2 work at and can you recommend a good service dept? I live in Seattle and have heard not many good and lot's of bad experiences with all the Seattle Dealership service departments. I work in Renton and Walker's is close by but a girl I work with took her OBW in and they gave her the run-around ($$$) and didn't fix a thing. Currently we have a 96 L wagon AWD and the AT OIL TEMP light flashes for a few seconds at start up. After reading this board it's hard to believe there is a competent service department out there. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Did you check vacuum? If you have a leak your O2 sensor would over compensate for running too lean and richen the mix. it's an easy check with a gauge and something else to rule out. Other than that I feel your pain about unexplicable problems:banghead: D.