2000 Outback Automatic Transmission Problem

[buoymaker]

First time posting.  I've searched the forum for a similar problem but haven't found anything.  I've owned the Outback since new.  221,000 miles with no major problems.  Fluid and filter changed on normal schedule by Subaru.  AT fluid looks great.  The problem I have is that the transmission does not shift to 4th sometimes typically after cresting a hill and going downhill.  A slight press on the accelerator and the transmission will shift automatically to 4th.  If I do not increase pressure on the accelerator, the car will continue to run in 3rd all the way downhill.  When I'm not driving in the mountains, I don't notice a problem with shifting into 4th.  Other than the problem described, the transmission shifts through all the gears as normal.  This may not be related but I have noticed slop or play in the drive train similar to worn universal joints in a driveshaft.  Sometimes taking off from a stoplight I feel a slight delay then a soft clunk as the car begins to move.  I also notice this same sound, sometimes, when coasting then starting to go uphill.  While the car was on a car lift I turned the driveshaft by hand to watch/feel for any sloppiness.  First I was shocked that I could turn the shaft (3/4 turn) a lot in both directions.  From reading other postings, I think this is normal...?  At this point I'm trying to learn what I need to check or do.  It may be time to buy another Outback.  Thanks for any responses.         

[johnceggleston]

 

When I'm not driving in the mountains, I don't notice a problem with shifting into 4th.

 

my 97 will do this sometimes, if i have been driving aggressively in the mountains.

the TCU ''learns'' from how you drive, and then continues to drive this way.

holding 3rd a little longer may be a part of this.

 

to test this theory,

take two test drives, the same hilly route,

but before the second drive disconnect the batter for a few, 15 , minutes.

see if the second drive is different.

 

but the slop in the drive shaft is another problem all together.

is the slop in the shaft,

or the trans rear extension housing.

 

clunks as you have reported could be drive shaft,

or rear trans mount

or rear diff bushings.

Edited July 13, 2014 by johnceggleston

[lmdew]

Get the Driveshaft ujoints checked.  If they fail, it could take out the tail shaft of the trans.  

 

Subaru will tell you they are not replaceable but they are.  There was a thread on this just a couple of weeks ago.

 

Larry

[Fairtax4me]

Did you mean to say 1/4 turn of slop in the driveshaft?

That's a little excessive but pretty normal.

3/4 of a turn just isn't mechanically possible unless an axle is broken or something.

[buoymaker]

I searched "driveshaft slop" and driveshaft play" and read a posting that you could turn the driveshaft with the transmission in park.  Maybe I misread.  Yes, meant to say I turned the driveshaft in both directions at least 1/4 turn maybe a little more than that.  1/2 turn total.  The car is going to the shop Tuesday so I'll get another pair of eyes to watch.  Also have a talk with the mechanic about the transmission. 

[mb4lunch]

My 99 does that. It downshifts when I'm going down a steep grade and use the brakes. Then it doesn't want to shift back up. Sometimes I have to shift into "N" for a second and then it goes into high gear when I put it back in "D" I think it is a brake assist function, but it's not getting the signal to shift back up afterwards. Anyone know for sure? My drive train is super tight by the way....