4EAT Can't pick a gear

[Luvn737s]

My 98 Forester has bee developing multiple personality disorder in the transmission. It seems to want to downshift/upshift at very odd points usually in the 25-45 MPH range. No codes. Any ideas? Does it have a filter?

[Mugs]

Yes it has a filter. More then likely in the pan style, IIRC they didn't have the screw on kind until 2000. Drain, drop pan, change filter, re-seal. Add trans-X first, then top off with regular DEX-Merc or Chevron MDIII…see of that helps. If not, you may be headed towards the land of duty solenoid 3 failure ala torque bind. 

[CNY_Dave]

Upshift/downshift issues will have nothing to do with the duty C solenoid (more properly called the transfer dity solenoid) or the AWD functionality.

 

No check engine light and no codes, does the ATF temp light flash on startup?

[johnceggleston]

 

does the ATF temp light flash on startup?

 

this^.

 

any work done recently ?

 

i had a really squirrelly issue with my 00 lego which was caused by a loose ground wire.

i failed to tight the bolt holding the ground wire.

but the problem did not occur for months,

until i replaced an axle and knocked it loose.

 

the trans would usually shift up to D but then for no reason it would down shift to 3.

if i shifted in to 3, it would down shift to 2, sometimes.

it gave me a flashing AT Temp light when i was driving .

but not at start up, and no trans codes.

 

i found one reference to a similar problem on line, here i think, in a 96 outback.

and went looking for a loose wire.

and i found it.

 

i was really scared i was looking at a new trans.

Edited December 16, 2013 by johnceggleston