Strange Drivetrain Problem with 1998 Outback

[wtwalden]

This is my first Subaru, and I love it.  It's a '98 Outback with 5-sp
manual, about 165,000 miles.  Last night I was up-shifting through a
corner, driving normally, and suddenly the car just stopped moving. 
There was no noise or anything.  Now I can shift through all the gears
without using the clutch, with the car running, and it just sits there. 
I'm used to clutch failure modes where the clutch slips, or you can't
shift, but I've never seen this one.  I don't know whether to think it's
the clutch, transmission, transfer case, or what.  I haven't dumped the
codes yet. 

 

Anyone ever experience this?

 

Wayne

West Michigan

[desertsubaru]

Sounds like the shift linkage broke or separated at a joint.

[Rooster2]

With engine turned off, can you shift through all gears?? Does anything feel unusual when doing so?? Agree with above, sounds like a gear shifter problem, not a clutch problem.

[wtwalden]

Sounds like the shift linkage broke or separated at a joint.

Thanks Subaru Nut!  The thought did cross my mind.  Will have to dig into this tonight.

[wtwalden]

With engine turned off, can you shift through all gears?? Does anything feel unusual when doing so?? Agree with above, sounds like a gear shifter problem, not a clutch problem.

 

Thanks Subaru Master.  It does shift through the gears without the clutch when the engine is off.  I was hoping you guys would say gear shifter rather than clutch.  Will let you know as soon as I know!