91 Legacy; AT problem; Ignition problem

[Legacy28]

Hi all!

 

I´m new to the forum, although I´ve been on here for info and reading quite a few times in the past. Now I´m owning a 1991 Subaru Legacy 2.2 AWD Sedan with a mileage over 500.000km, but in the last few days ran into two problems.

 

1) The automatic transmission (4 speed+overdrive I guess), isn´t sure of itself being alive or not. To explain: It started off with the car being unable to shift into the final gear. It turned out the transmission fluid was really low. Topped up the transmission fluid and it seemed to be working alright. Checked the TCU for any codes, but none there (only some previous problems, I think 15, 23, 24 and 33).

 

However, this morning, after not driving for 1,5 day, the car refused to get into 3rd gear. I then ran the TCU-check again, but no codes there. After driving away again it suddenly would go into 3rd gear, but not into 4th. Again checked the TCU, no codes there. Drove off another time and all of a sudden all the gears were working again... I don´t have faith in it staying that way though. Anyone any idea on the problem?

 

2) Later today I had a new exhaust put on (just a standard one, the previous owner had a huge one on there, but I ruined that while driving off-road), but since that the car struggles to start. I can only get the car started by applying throttle. Not sure if it has anything to do with the exhaust or that it´s just a coincidence, but it´s a bit awkward. Once started using the throttle the car runs absolutely fine though... Again, anyone any idea on the problem?

 

Thanks in advance, really appreciate the help!

 

Regards,

Tom

[nipper]

Lets start with the transmission

 

How cold was it outside

 

How long have you owned the car

 

Do a full transmission flush, on soobies that can work wonders.

 

Does your CEL work and is it on?

 

Cold start issue with no trouble codes and no driveability can be the engine temp sensor. Also have you tried a full tuneup?

[Legacy28]

Thanks for the response!

 

When the transmission problem first occured it was well above freezing, and has been since then anyway. Must have been around 15 C, 60 F that is. I just recall that actually the first problem that occured was the car not moving with the AT in D after being in P with the engine running. That problem doesn´t occur anymore though.

 

I´ve owned the car 2 months now, drove 5k kilometers.

 

The CEL, Check Engine Light I presume, is on, but has been on before the problem occured. I just stumbled upon the ECU-check and ran it (a crime to disconnect the black plug btw), and got error codes 12 and 35 off the ´black´ test, and a 35 off the ´green´ test.

Furthermore, after idling the engine for about 10-15 minutes to warm it up, with the AT in P, the rpms suddenly jumped to 1500. When switching to D it would get back to 700-1000 rpm or so, but then in P again 1500 rpm.

Reckon the code 12, starter switch could well be the problem with the ignition.

Haven´t got a clue what the 35, Canister purge solenoid valve is.

 

Haven´t tried a full tune-up.

[nipper]

I fear the tranny may be tired, but there is a slight chance the tranny code you speak of may have something to do with it. It is most likely the inhibitor switch, or what we would call the neutral saftey switch.

 

Check to make sure the chifter cable and bracket are good. Even with topped off fluid you should be able to tell if the fluid is burnt smelling or dirty (bad).

 

The hard start wont have anything to do with the inhibitor switch. If you think it does, just pop the car into neutral and see what happens.

 

The other question, what happens when you manually shift the car.