Quick search.. still not sure? 4EAT issues.

[highlineca]

Just picked this up - 1990 Legacy L and experiencing somewhat of a slipping issue in 2nd and top of 3rd. It happens about the middle of 2nd, with less than 1/2 throttle. Letting off the gas switches to 3rd. Which seems ok till more than half way up the band. Im torn to think its inside the tranny, or its the converter. Either way, only way to really find out is to yank her off.

Any ideas? I seen a few threads of people having the same issue but havent really solved it. In my case, the motor seems to be running splendid. There is 154k and the fluids dont look bad. The tranny issue is killin me... I cant really afford to have someone repair it.

I'd rather do it myself, except if the tranny needs to be rebuild. Any ideas?

[Manarius]

What you're describing seems very similar to a problem we commonly have in the SVX. If I'm getting this right, if you floor it, it'll go to the top of second and very sloppily shift into 3rd? If so, I would wager that the brake band needs tightened so that doesn't happen.

[highlineca]

Cant floor it.. it will slip out of gear.

Tonight really made me think its the torque converter. It was slipping so bad, going slightly up a hill, smoke slowly started to come out. Smells like a clutch (but in this case, its an auto). It shifts into 2nd a little rough (no grinding, just rough) and has difficultly holding 2nd gear in, and shifting to 3rd (this is where I think the converter needs to be replaced. The tranny shifts when its able to, but not when I am heavily on the gas. My 90 Legend is a prime example, it is starting to slip and it is manual. It does not grind going into any gear, and I have not noticed any tranny/tcase whine).

An import mechanic of mine quickly stated I need a new tranny. He hasnt even drove the car.

My experiences only land in the manual world and other imports (first Subie). Please help

[ericem]

Find a import place and get a lower mileage tranny. Usually dont cost tooo much. Or try some transmission lucas oil.

[albert gotch]

It's the trans the clutch's are worn out and it can't build up pressure to make it shift the next gear. If your mech inclined you could maybe fix it. You need to locate a rebuild kit get a manual go to work. I'm sure if done right it will fix the problem. Good Luck Al