Used Transmission?

[Murthius]

So I am looking for a used automatic transmission to go in my 93 Impreza EJ18 and can't find any around me. The garage that has my car says they found one for around $900 but I've heard you can find them for around $400 in decent condition, and I actually found one a few states away for $150 with 149k miles on it. The low price makes me wonder if theres anything wrong with it but it might be worth a shot, only problem is the garage says they don't warranty the work if there's something wrong with the tranny if I supply it, in other words if they spend 6 hours putting it in and somethings wrong and it needs to come out or more work needs to be done to make it work right, I have to pay for the additional labor. You guys think it's worth the chance? I am really on the fence about doing this or waiting till I have the $900, so everyone should vote, do it now or wait, and I'll do what you guys vote for! XD

[wtdash]

$900 is steep, unless the miles are verifable AND low. $150 seems too cheap. I've paid around $400 each for the 3 I've bought.

 

 

I may get some flack for this statement, but I wouldn't buy a 4EAT over a 100K unless I KNEW it'd been serviced regularly...I've put 3 of these in Subarus myself. But just like any other part on any other car, if maintenance is neglected it'll eventually cost you more in the end.

 

I think a warranty on the labor and parts is worth it......But check w/another shop, if avl., for a quote.

 

I'd also ensure the shop is familiar w/Subies.

 

Lastly, ensure you're getting the correct trans for your car....FWD vs. AWD, Legacy vs. Impreza, etc.....there's also the final drive ratio to consider, which may differ....just because it's a Subaru 4EAT doesn't mean it's correct. But you should also be able use other years, too.

 

Ok, off my soap box!

 

GL,

Td

[johnceggleston]

So I am looking for a used automatic transmission to go in my 93 Impreza EJ18 and can't find any around me. The garage that has my car says they found one for around $900 but I've heard you can find them for around $400 in decent condition, and I actually found one a few states away for $150 with 149k miles on it. The low price makes me wonder if theres anything wrong with it but it might be worth a shot, only problem is the garage says they don't warranty the work if there's something wrong with the tranny if I supply it, in other words if they spend 6 hours putting it in and somethings wrong and it needs to come out or more work needs to be done to make it work right, I have to pay for the additional labor. You guys think it's worth the chance? I am really on the fence about doing this or waiting till I have the $900, so everyone should vote, do it now or wait, and I'll do what you guys vote for! XD

 

generally speaking the subaru 4eat auto trans is pretty hardy. but any used part is a risk.

 

what is wrong with your trans.??

 

search this site , http://www.car-part.com , sort by distance. i'm not very familiar with impreza 1.8L trans, but they are very much like the legacy trans. that means any auto trans from a 90 - 97? impreza as long asit has the same final drive ratio which you can find at http://opposedforces.com/parts .

 

the soft wear at the parts site may say that there is a difference between some years, but as long as the final drives are the same it will work. for that matter, a legacy trans will work as long as the the final drive matches.

[Murthius]

what is wrong with your trans.??

 

Well it has really bad torque bind, and now it's making a loud noise when I decelerate that I can only describe as chewbacka yelling.

[wtdash]

But it goes thru the gears, incl. Reverse fine? If so, then I'd just have the rear transfer case repaired....they don't even have to drop the trans to do it.

 

You've tried changing (not flushing) the AT fluid, too?

 

Td

[Murthius]

Yeah I've flushed it and put a new filter in just a couple thousand miles ago.

 

As far as the shifting goes, it does drop 4th sometimes and it bucked into reverse twice. Also doesn't shift to 2nd on its own but that could be due to my speedo not working. Someone either here or NASIOC (I don't remember) told me the noise on deceleration points to the front diff since that's where the load goes when you decel so I fugred a used tranny would be my best bet to take care of all of those problems.

 

The transmission in there now was abused a bit too, my nephew drove it a few miles with low fluid. Enough to drive, but low enough to trigger the AT light if not on a level surface. (long story)

[wtdash]

.....If the speedo isn't working, there's a good chance one of the 2 VSS sensors isn't getting/sending the correct info to the TCU....although dropping into Reverse is 'new to me'.

 

I forgot to ask, does the Power or AT Light flash when you start it up? If so, check the Codes HERE.

 

I just think you should rule out the easier fixes b4 swapping trans to have the same issues.

 

Td

[Murthius]

Yeah I'm sure with a new cable/sensor the speedo would work fine and the transmission would shift better, that doesn't help that god-awful chewbacka sound though. I would LOVE for it to just be the transfer case but I'm told if it were, it wouldn't make the sound only when decelerating, that's the only reason I'm looking at a new transmission all together. I would hate to have the work done on the transfer case and find out the front diff is bad. Unless of course I could get the parts cheap enough and move them over to a possible new tranny so I would know I'm covered either way.

 

I'll have to check those links and try to find the parts I would need. Anyone know what exactly I should be looking for as far as the transfer case goes? Solenoid, clutch pack, any thing else?

 

I know for the speedo, i'm going to get a whole new cable and the piece that goes into the transmission end.