Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

1997 Legacy 4EAT auto transmission troubleshooting help needed


Recommended Posts

Hi everyone, I'm a new member here to the forum.  I'll jump right into the deep end with my 1st post on here...any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

1997 Suabru Legacy Wagon, L model.  Automatic transmission, 2.2L, 160k miles, newer set of tires (less than 5k miles)   

Here's what's going on: recently, developed the dreaded 16 flash A/T Temp light when starting the car, but then it goes away.  I don't have a check engine light on, and no stored codes other than the TCU codes below. 

Today I did the "secret handshake" and came up with 3 TCU codes:  23 (engine revolution signal), 24 (Duty C Solenoid), 33 (Vehicle Speed sensor 2).   

 

1) While driving and turning left or right it makes a loud a terrible clicking/binding up noise as the wheels turn (sounds like bad CV joints, except worse) and feels like it's shuttering a bit when the wheels are turned...doesn't make the noise when driving straight.

2) When I drive and put the car in park, or even neutral, and shut off the car, it will jerk/lurch forward about 1-foot...really strange considering the car is shut off and on a flat surface.

3) I tried the FWD fuse sensor under the hood, and my FWD dash light doesnt light up...i still have the loud clicking noise when turning as if AWD is still engaged.

4) When doing a tight circile (wheels turned all the way to the left) my car wouldn't move at an idle, had to give it some acceleration to make it move

 

What do you think based on all the symptoms and info provided?  I've heard of torque bind, but not sure if that's what I'm having with the loud clicking cv joint sound. 

Would you advise replacing the speed sensor 2 and/or duty c solenoid first? They are both expensive but speed sensor is much easier to replace. Just don't want to waste $ if there's something else I could try that would clear up the problems if the sensors are still good.  Any advice or part # info would be helpful.  Thanks for any help!   

Edited by jerrodsubbie
added info
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You should have a check engine light on. Have someone pull the codes and wright them down. You might see something like P0720 and more.

Do you have a volt-ohm meter?

First step. On top of the bellhousing are two large connectors 12 and 16 pins for the tranny. Unplug them and look for corrosion on the pins. If they are clean, reconnect them and go for a ride and see if you still have symptoms.

Go to the following web site and download the Factory Service Manual for your 97 Legacy. Click the link and then click the link for the manual and a new page will open. Click the big green download button. Another page will start to open with an add, click the X to close that page. Then follow through on the download bar at the bottom of the screen to save or save as.

This will get the whole FSM in a Zip file. Extract it to a new empty folder and look it over.

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/showthread.php?18087-Subaru-Factory-Service-Manuals-

Go to this section - Legacy 1997\Diagnostics Section\On-Board Diagnostics II System

Open this pdf file - Diagnostics Diagnostic Chart with Trouble Code for LHD Vehicles.pdf

Go to page 311, it is over half way down the document. The next page for P0720 describes one of your symptoms "excessive tight corner “braking”". That could also be the CV joints.

Once you have the DTC trouble codes those pages will guide you on what to check using an Ohm meter or Volt meter. You will see Connector B11 in the wiring and lower on the page will be a picture of the connector showing pin numbers. That connector is the 16 pin connector you looked at earlier.

You can go to the wiring diagram and look at the Harness pages to see where a connector number is located in the vehicle.

A printer will be very helpful to print just the pages you need.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking at the wiring diagram, there are 4 fuses that run the (TCM) Transmission Control Module. Fuse #12, 14, 15, 16. They run other things that you would have noticed not working like windows, headlights and blower motor, but fuse # 14 may not be noticeable. 12 and 14 are hot all the time. 15 and 16 are powered from the IGN switch, so turn the key to on for them.

Fuse # 14
ABS/TCS control module
Transmission control module

Does your car have ABS or Traction Control? Those modules communicate with the TCM.

I'm puzzled by the "lurch forward 1 foot". In Park the Parking Pawl locks the front wheels (if it is working).

I did find an article on a Factory Recall for the shifter on the 97/98 Legacy/Outback with bad weld joints. Don't know if that would cause your problem, but you know Murphy's Law.

 

RECALL - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES.pdf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...