'93 L AWD 4eat problems...

[Chefasaurus]

I just got this car as a barter/trade for a detail, with the prior knowing that there is a tranny issue.

It has 253K on it, and the motor runs like a top. However, the car doesn't move anywhere.


Well, I can't say it won't move ANYWHERE... It'll move normally when cold. As soon as it warms up, it's a paperweight/yard ornament.

At cold, and at hot, the level on the dipstick doesn't move... but it's also at least 3qts. over-filled. The guy I got it from, said that he thought it was low, since it started doing that... so he just kept filling and filling. I know I need to drain it, and more than likely change the filter, but what would be causing it to not move?

And as far as maintenance/abuse... the car has every gas fill up, oil change, tire rotation, EVERYTHING, documented. It was all done to schedule. If it's a solenoid issue, I can change those without pulling the tranny, right? Aren't they on the bottom of the valve body?


I haven't driven the car yet, obviously. It got towed to my house, and then I drove it off of the trailer, and positioned it in the yard. REALLY wanting to get this figured out ASAP, with the cost of gas tickling $4/gal right now for 93octane, which is what my '77 Mercury Monarch with a 306ci. v8 in it drinks by the bucket. That car's tank holds ~19.2gals... @ $4/gal., and MAYBE 14mpg, you can understand my necessity to get the Legacy up and running.

[legacy4ever]

drain the ATF to the proper level.

if it's slipping when warmed up it looks like the clutches are burned up. so tranny needs overhauling.