Won't go into drive when cold.

[Novakaine]

Here is the issue, and I am not sure if it really is an issue, or just a feature.

 

My 95 legacy AT, will not let me put the car in drive in the morning if it is really cold outside. When I push on the brake, there is a solenoid in the shifter that is supposed to disengage or engage, it does nothing. I have to wait 2-5 minutes with the engine running and then it will work fine.

 

Also, by cold I mean ice on the windshield, but not quite below zero.

 

Is this a feature to let the car warm up a little, or is this some issue i need to fix?

 

Thank you.

[Manarius]

I would think that letting the car run for those two extra minutes isn't going to do anything but annoy you. I personally don't start the car up from sub-freezing temps and just throw it in gear and drive away - I wait a little for the car to warm up so I don't go and break something.

 

However, I'm pretty sure that solenoid wasn't meant to work like that.

[2X2KOB]

That's not normal behavior.

 

There should be a manual release button or lever or something for the shifter lock somewhere on or around the shifter itself. Check the owner's manual for specifics. This is not a fix, it's a work-around.

[ericem]

Here is the issue, and I am not sure if it really is an issue, or just a feature.

 

My 95 legacy AT, will not let me put the car in drive in the morning if it is really cold outside. When I push on the brake, there is a solenoid in the shifter that is supposed to disengage or engage, it does nothing. I have to wait 2-5 minutes with the engine running and then it will work fine.

 

Also, by cold I mean ice on the windshield, but not quite below zero.

 

Is this a feature to let the car warm up a little, or is this some issue i need to fix?

 

Thank you.

 

That doesn't sound normal, i started my car in -40C and the car started like normal, and shifted into D right away, no need to let the car warm up, it is fuel injected, tops 30 seconds on those temps, and im gone.

[idosubaru]

not normal. definitely check your owners manual, it should mention something related to the shifter lock. address it now while you can still drive it. eventually whatever is faulty now may fail later.

 

haven't been in a 95 Legacy, how exactly is it set up to shift? is there a button at all? try clicking the button or shaking the shifter multiple times while attempting to move it.

[ericem]

not normal. definitely check your owners manual, it should mention something related to the shifter lock. address it now while you can still drive it. eventually whatever is faulty now may fail later.

 

haven't been in a 95 Legacy, how exactly is it set up to shift? is there a button at all? try clicking the button or shaking the shifter multiple times while attempting to move it.

 

does he meen the shifter moves, and doesn't engadge D, but i think with the 95 it has aa shifter button, u press the brakes and push the shifter button and move the shifter.

[idosubaru]

you also say it won't let you put it into "drive"...but you can put it in other gears? or the shifter doesn't move at all?

 

if the shifter moves, but takes awhile to actually engage you need to check your fluid level immediately. if that's not the problem then your internal oil pump seals may be leaking.

 

if you can't move the shifter at all...then read what's already been suggested.

[Novakaine]

Sorry, I should have been clearer.

 

The car does have an aa shifter. I have to push on the brake, and that releases a solenoid in the shift box. Then I push the big button and I can then change gears.

 

The solenoid will not click when it is cold. I have no problem waiting two minutes, my fear is that if it is problem, and it fails then I will not be able to shift at all.

 

I don't remember seeing a manual override. But if I take the cover off, I can actually see the solenoid.

 

Thank you all for the advice and help.

[nipper]

The solenoid is failing. Eventually it just wont work anymore. replace it and you'll be golden.

 

 

nipper

[2X2KOB]

Or the switch on the brake pedal is failing or sticky. That's where I'd start.

 

I mean, if the car HAS a switch on the brake pedal. I'm not familiar with that model.

[Ranger83]

I think in the owner's manual they explain how to override it.

[Novakaine]

I think in the owner's manual they explain how to override it.

 

I will do some playing in the car and see what I can figure out, an then report back.

 

Thanks for the advice.

[Skip]

Nova, up to 94 they had a small cap in front of

the shifter, pry it out to gain access to the release solenoid.

A screw driver inserted released the lever.

 

In the last 95 I was in, the console had to be lifted.

It is outlined in the owners manual.

 

There was no other way to insert said screw driver

and being in "Park" made removing the console a bit

of a pain.

 

You could try a good lube job and or putting a hole in the console

for Justin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You know Justin?

 

Just in Case

[Manarius]

Actually, up to 94, there was a button that released the latch on the button on the shifter. There was no need for a screw driver. Press button below the shifter and then press the button on the shifter at the same time.

[Skip]

I sit corrected.

 

My 94 GT wagon has only a hole where

I must insert a shaft of sorts to release the lever.

 

I assumed it was fitted with a cap but it must have

been modified (butchered) by a PO.

[otis]

Here is the issue, and I am not sure if it really is an issue, or just a feature.

 

My 95 legacy AT, will not let me put the car in drive in the morning if it is really cold outside. When I push on the brake, there is a solenoid in the shifter that is supposed to disengage or engage, it does nothing. I have to wait 2-5 minutes with the engine running and then it will work fine.

 

Also, by cold I mean ice on the windshield, but not quite below zero.

 

Is this a feature to let the car warm up a little, or is this some issue i need to fix?

 

Thank you.

 

I have had this exact same problem with our 00 forester. After the car has been sitting outside in the cold for a few hours, something freezes up. when I step on the brakes, I can hear a faint click of (what I presume to be) the solenoid. But the shifter button won't press (as if I never stepped on the brakes). After 5 minutes, I'm guessing the car warms up, and everything is fine.

 

This was very annoying up until a couple of years ago. That's when we moved into a house with a garage. But we just moved up to minnesota and the temps have recently dropped and now I'm worried the problem will return if we are out somewhere.

 

I understand that the problem could be the solenoid. but if it was "failing" 2 years ago, it has certainly taken its time getting to the grave since the brake/shifter have been fine for the last 2 years (and I honestly have no idea how these things fail).

[nipper]

I have had this exact same problem with our 00 forester. After the car has been sitting outside in the cold for a few hours, something freezes up. when I step on the brakes, I can hear a faint click of (what I presume to be) the solenoid. But the shifter button won't press (as if I never stepped on the brakes). After 5 minutes, I'm guessing the car warms up, and everything is fine.

 

This was very annoying up until a couple of years ago. That's when we moved into a house with a garage. But we just moved up to minnesota and the temps have recently dropped and now I'm worried the problem will return if we are out somewhere.

 

I understand that the problem could be the solenoid. but if it was "failing" 2 years ago, it has certainly taken its time getting to the grave since the brake/shifter have been fine for the last 2 years (and I honestly have no idea how these things fail).

 

Technically it has already failed at that point.

 

nipper