cc.ellis Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 hi I have a 93 legacy with auto trans and the trans will go into park, reverse, and drive fine but when in drive it starts out in 2nd gear and will not shift to 3rd. Also when i put it manually into 1st gear the car will struggle to move like the gears are bound up or stuck. kinda feels like tryin to drive with the parking brake on. it will move but very little and very slowly. i was wondering if anyone had heard of this before. Also dont know how to start a new thread and saw you guys talking about tranny's. Dont mean to intrude Thanks chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ccrinc Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 First, check the level of your ATF. Sounds like it's VERY low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 do you have a blinking AT Temp light at start up? the auto trans has a ''limp mode'' where it will only run in 3rd gear. if it looses the brain or the electronics? it allows you to limp home. could this be your situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 i will check on the light situation. I checked the fluid and it was overfilled. so i drained some out till it was at the right amount. Still the problem exists. Will get back after i check about the light on start up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 the subaru auto trans dip sticks are really hard to read. and i'm concerned that you have too little fluid now. check the fluid level in the morning before you start the engine just to see if you are in the ball park. if not add the right amount. the difference between the low and high lines is only about 1 pint. after you get the level right when cold with the engine off then check it hot, engine running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 8, 2012 Author Share Posted July 8, 2012 It was really hard to read. i had to check it several times. im sure i got it but will check again as soon as im able. Im experiencing thunderstorms right now so as soon as they pass i will reply. also thanks for the helpful info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1 Lucky Texan Posted July 9, 2012 Share Posted July 9, 2012 before you start the engine. I don't think that will work at all. did you mean engine oil? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 Well there is no lights on and the fluid is good. Its clearly in limp mode but im at a loss why. Also 1st is bound up. Im just gonna get a professional rebuild done. Any tips on What i should request custom to the trans to make it more durable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 lets recheck some things: Does your spedo work? Do you have an ATF temp light when the car is turned "on" Does the same light flash on startup? Do you have a check engine light on What does your fluid look and smell like? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 No lights come on. not even a check engine. the fluid def needs a change. its dark and smells burned and the speedo works fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 installing a used trans is going to be WAY cheaper than a rebuild. but if you use a trans shop, they may increase the cost of the of the used trans and the install so it is only 20% - 25% cheaper than the rebuild. they want you to choose a rebuild. a used trans will cost less than $500 and the install at an independent shop, may add another $500. a rebuild at a trans shop will cost 2500$ plus. parts source, http://www.car-part.com sort by distance first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 12, 2012 Author Share Posted July 12, 2012 i found a trans on ebay for under 500. Should bolt right in and be ready to go. Any tips for me trying this job myself. Anything specific to watch out for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nipper Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Ok very 1st step, flush the fluid. it can solve many issues on a AT. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnceggleston Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 before you go out and buy another trans, you need to spend a little time trying to figure out what is causing your problem. for instance, if the TCU is bad, replacing the trans will not fix the problem. and you may end up with the same problem and 1000$ poorer. have you tried reading the codes for the trans yet? replaced the fluid? tried dirving it while shifting manually? any CELs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cc.ellis Posted July 15, 2012 Author Share Posted July 15, 2012 I have tried driving it in manual and 1st gear is bound up or stuck. when i shift to second its good then when i shift to 3rd nothing happens. There is no lights on. as far as TCU what would i need to do to check it. Or would it be cheaper to replace anything else first that might fix the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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