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black button to release the auto. shift lever


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Are you talking about the one on the front of the console?

If so, that's just the lockout override switch.

If you have to press that every time to move the shifter, your lockout switch

needs attention.

 

Also, you need to press the brakes every time you change from park to

reverse/drive/neutral, or from drive to reverse/park or visa versa, but I'm sure

you knew that already...

 

Twitch

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Are you talking about the one on the front of the console?

If so, that's just the lockout override switch.

If you have to press that every time to move the shifter, your lockout switch

needs attention.

 

Also, you need to press the brakes every time you change from park to

reverse/drive/neutral, or from drive to reverse/park or visa versa, but I'm sure

you knew that already...

 

Twitch

 

Did they change this for the 3at? My 4eat doens't need to do that. I got a 1990 T-wagon with the 4eat...

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Did they change this for the 3at? My 4eat doens't need to do that. I got a 1990 T-wagon with the 4eat...

 

I believe its only for changing direction.

So you only need to press the brakes for the shift from reverse to park, or drive

to reverse, etc.

 

And I believe the Loyales had a 4EAT for the first(?) year? then switched back

to the 3AT to bring more attention to the Legacy.

 

Twitch

 

PS: And most every Subaru AT I have seen has a lockout override switch

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I believe its only for changing direction.

So you only need to press the brakes for the shift from reverse to park, or drive

to reverse, etc.

 

And I believe the Loyales had a 4EAT for the first(?) year? then switched back

to the 3AT to bring more attention to the Legacy.

 

Twitch

 

PS: And most every Subaru AT I have seen has a lockout override switch

 

Only the turbo's got the 4eat I believe...

 

I just went out and double checked, but I can move my gear selector through the whole range (P down to 2) without the keys in the ignition, or me touching the brake. I don't even have a spot to override it at all, so they must have added it in the later years. There is no evidence that one was ever installed, so it's not like it was ripped out by the previous owner or anything like that. Interesting...

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okay...so I guess mine is in need of some adjustment

with key off OR on and even with the brake depressed, the shifter will not move unless I press the black button on the console right in front of the shifter

How does this adjust and what is the normal operation

and why the button at all?

thanks guys

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okay...so I guess mine is in need of some adjustment

with key off OR on and even with the brake depressed, the shifter will not move unless I press the black button on the console right in front of the shifter

How does this adjust and what is the normal operation

and why the button at all?

thanks guys

 

OK, if its not letting you move the shifter out of park even with the brake

pressed and the button near the top, on the side, pressed, you may have a

wiring issue.

But it also may be a linkage issue, but the linkage may require crawling under

the car.

 

To start I would pull apart the console surround and check for any bad wires.

Then check out the linkage on the cable, make sure it works properly.

This includes crawling under the car to check out the linkage on the transmission.

 

If both of those areas are just fine, it sounds like you've got a problem in

your shifter, and the easiest route would be to replace it.

I'm not sure what years will fit, but I think if you found another loyale with

the same shifter setup, you should be fine.

 

They come out as one unit, and I believe you can remove the cable from

either end, so getting one out is going to be as tough as the toughest screw.

 

Twitch

 

PS: The reason why the override button is there is for towing purposes, and

in case there is a malfunction, such as the one you're having, and the car still

needs to be moved.

Edited by Twitch de la Brat
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The lockout was added as per federal laws in 93 (IIRC)

 

If yours isn't working, then the solenoid is prolly bad.

 

Remove the cover for the shifter. you'll have to remove the two screws from the shifter handle, and the ones around the edge of the plastic, then it lifts off.

 

Inside, you will see a small plunger and solenoid. Now you can either try to replace it.....never looked into that option......or, you can simply wrap a ziptie around the lever it actuates, and zip it down.

 

that way you'll be able to move the shifter anywhere you want all the time.

 

Getting it back toghether is a bit tricky, gotta fish the 4wd wires around and make sure they won't get pinched, and don't flip otu if the button and spring pop out of the lever. Simply slide it all back in and stiff it on the shaft and it'll be fine.

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