legacycentral bbs

Strange problem occurred earlier today, was out messing around in the snow we're getting around Seattle with a few friends, went to reverse... and nothing... No slipping or grinding or anything there is just no power going to the wheels. All of the other gears work fine and shift through smoothly, no CEL or other flashing lights. Seems like reverse just isn't engaging, any suggestions? Never had this problem before reverse just decided to give me a big nope today.

Forgot to add that I drive a 1993 Legacy L with a 4EAT

Does the car go into park ok as well as all the other gears?

Have you tried running the TCU diagnostics?

http://surrealmirage.com/subaru/trans.html

If everything shows up ok, it's possible the solenoid that is responsible for reverse crapped out or is plugged. Or there was a mechanical failure in that part of the transmission. Have you looked at the transmission fluid to see how it looks?

Some other things to read/try.

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 17995.html
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/111 ... -gear.html

Josh,

The transmission shifts into park, neutral, and all the forward gears just fine, only reverse is affected. The transmission fluid is at its normal level and doesn't look dirty or anything, and the TCU diagnostic came back alright, sounds like it could possibly be a solenoid?

What happens if you put it in neutral and rev the engine? Does the car move forward or rev freely with no motion?

Did you read over the threads I linked to? You may want to try this:

"Try putting the shifter in reverse, holding the brakes firmly, and giving the car gas. If the car reaches a higher RPM and suddenly slams into reverse it is the pump. The pump will only build enough pressure to engage reverse with higher RPM's. If the pump is severly damaged it won't engage at all, but if this is the case it probably won't engage third or fourth gear either at that point. If the problem is with the linkage, reverse just won't engage whatsoever, despite RPM's."

I had tried that, it seems like there is no difference between neutral and reverse, the car revs freely without any power going to the wheels in both when selected, even if I hold the brakes and rev in reverse it doesn't want to engage.

Do you have engine braking with the gear lever in manual first, or does it freewheel?
Does it ever slip in 3rd or 4th at higher speeds, or have slow shifts into any forward gear?

I still have engine braking with the manual switch engaged in first, driving in any of the forward gears seems to be fine, no slipping or slow shifts, its like only reverse is affected, I'm quite stumped

Almost definitely a bad reverse band then. Sadly, a pretty common issue.

The reason I asked about engine braking in first is because if that didn't work, it'd be the low/reverse clutch.

Also, just an FYI the manual button just keeps the transmission from going into 1st gear when the gear selector is in the 2 or 3 position. Otherwise, it doesn't do anything when in drive or the 1 position.