legacycentral bbs

1990 2.2 Auto AWD Wagon.. unknown miles on engine trans were wrecking yard pullouts a couple of years ago.

Coming home from work Tuesday, stopped to yell at some kids breaking windows, then drove on. When I pulled away the trans wouldn't pull, (had been working great). Managed to get it home and did some testing..

Reverse works great
First gear lock everything up slid
2nd & 3rd feel the same, never feel a shift even when in Manual mode
4th tries to shift up but goes into a neutral condition

If I am in reverse and moving and shift to 1st quickly it continues to power backwards for that couple of seconds until until first locks in and then it's like the brakes are locked, will move forward but only with heavy throttle and then doesn't want to...

I'm assuming it broke a band, probably the First/Reverse band?

Big question: The wrecking yard has a '93 AWD 4eat in a runner/driver. Hollander shows 90-92, then 93-95.. What is the difference in the trans, and is it possible to use the '93 trans in the 90?? Gear ratio issue and swap rear carrier too??

No one has any info on using the newer trans in my '90??

From a wiring stand point they should be compatible. There may be small differences with the ECU programming and you might need the newer TCU that matches the transmission.

Thanks, that's what I needed to know. will grab the trans from the '93, along with the tcu... Fingers crossed

month late...Sorry..didn't see this.

'92-'94 will be a 3.9 FD ratios vs.'90-'91 4.11....so you'd need that '93's rear diff.

The'93 TCU may shift better vs. w/the '90 TCU.

Cool thanks for the info.going todo the pull and swap this weekend, so will grab the rear diff as well. Still need to find a 92-94 tuck, but will get the manual labor done at least.

heading up to the shop today to swap the trans and diff.. Daughter finally got her learners permit, need the car back on the road..

finally got the trans (and rear diff) swapped, took a while, about 5 1/2 hours even with the use of the lift. using the 90 TCU with the 93 trans, shift points may be a little higher, but seem crisp..


Subie is back on the road, seems to shift okay, but have only driven about 5 miles or so..

Need to put insurance back on it and get some miles logged now.

Well done..rear diffs are no fun.
TD