My first post on this board!

[206er]

Hey fellas, I have a 91 legacy wagon with automatic and 4wd. Lately it has been slow to shift into reverse. when I shift into reverse, it will not engage immediately, and will rev up and then catch. any ideas? tranny fluid looks ok.
thanks,
jeremy

[mTk]

Same problem here, though it is affecting drive too. So far i've lived with it, but i'd like to find out the problem too


MK

[FrmRgz2Rchz]

Does it happen every time or only when the car is cold?

When the car has been sitting, the oil likes to drain from the torque convertor causing that.

[ciper]

A fix exists for that, the TSB has been posted online. Basically they install a one way valve.

[206er]

so can I fill a little more tranny fluid in without risking blowing a seal? Some of my friends who are into 4x4ing overfill slightly to compensate when they are at a steep angle. those are strong chevy trannys though...
anyone think the subaru seals can take it?
Jeremy

[paf]

Make : SUBARU Model : LEGACY Year : 1990
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number : 91V082000 Recall Date : MAY 30, 1991
Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Potential Number Of Units Affected : 76000
Summary:
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Consequence:
DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy:
INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
Notes:
SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONS (4EAT).

[206er]

so can I get the dealer to honor this? I have no idea if this has already been done to my car. So I would have a stronger e-brake?
jeremy

[Legacy777]

If you give the dealer your vin number they should be able to run it and see if this recall has been performed yet. If it is not, they should honor it.

It will not affect your parking brake. What it modifies is the parking pawl, which is like a "catch" that keeps the transmission from moving.

[paf]

I have that problem on mine too... im thinking about getting the dealer to fix that...
but im in exams now so i will see if they will honor it for my car

[206er]

cool, free fix! I hope that is actually what is wrong. it was kind of scary, thought the transmission was on the way out.

[ciper]

Not that one, ANOTHER TSB will fix the problem he describes

perhaps (dont have the text of these)
165894 MAR 94 A/T - 4EAT Modifications
164891 MAY 91 A/T - 4EAT Slow Engagement

I remember it saying that fluid drained from the TC and a valve was isntalled to prevent this

[206er]

well, it does it more from drive than from park. its real bad sometimes, have to wait a few seconds, but then sometimes its immediate. doesn't matter if its on a slope or anything. the TC draining definitely sounds plausible. I'm just too lazy/busy to go to the dealer.