Check Eng. lt. out

[Bagriel]

Hi, New here. Just got nice, clean '91 Legacy automatic. Only prob seems to be bit of a bump going frm 1st to 2nd. Changed tranny fluid and ext filter. No diff. Tried D check per Surrealmirage green wire mode. No "check eng." lt. at all. Wire disconnect? Where do I go frm here? Excited about getting it running right. Thanx

[Bagriel]

Me still, Going backwards. Get 16 green flashes on power ind. at start. Ran TCU diag test for existing and previous problems. Run thru sequence and nothing happens when I depress accelerator pedal. Switched out TPS/Idle cntrl, no change, no code. Should I at least remove dash and see if CEL needs replaced? Think Solenoid A, or maybe blocked flow causing higher pressure and lurch going frm 1st to 2nd? Or am I way over my head here? Muddling thru. Don't want to make things worse. Good health and contentment.

[wtdash]

Welcome to the site. What's your location?

The CEL - check engine light - is separate from the 16 flashes of the POWER light, which indicates there are codes stored in the TCU.

Retry the instructions for the TCU diagnostic test. It will show the codes....or should.

Don't change anything else, until you get the codes from the TCU.

Also, what 'ext filter' are you referring to? There was no factory filter on the Automatic Trans until about 1998, but some may have had an inline filter installed on the trans cooler lines that run to the the radiator.

Edit: Does the CEL come on w/the key in the ON position - not Start? It should light up.

GL,
Td

[Bagriel]

Thank you so much for responding. I am on Bainbridge Is, Wa. U R right. Had new tires put on and tranny fluid replaced then, and oh yeah, they said no screw on filter. I didn't get even basic owners manual w car. Sent for Haynes. No CEL at all, ever, key on or off, eng start or off. Thought maybe guy who sold car pulled bulb on CEL but doesb't look like dash ever removed. Possibly unhooked wire? Tried TCU test 15 times, nothing. Checked fuses. Look good.

[Bagriel]

Also, appreciate any suggestions on negotiating the forum. Haven't done it before.

[wtdash]

The hard/abrupt 1st>>2nd shift on the Subaru 4EAT/Automatic transmission is not uncommon. My '96 does it, too. So...it may be normal - BUT it could be something else, too. I'd personally be more worried about any delay in shifting or slipping when going from 2nd>3rd, as those are indicative of the tranny failing.

If the CEL light is not lit it's either burned out, taped over, or wire cut. Should look like this:


2 places to Search on here. 1 is the 'Google custom search' @ the top of the page; 2 is the blue Search option just under it. They both work well.

You can get a Owner's Manual from ebay, on here or from used auto parts/salvage yards....and download a copy here: http://www.main.experiencetherave.com/s ... ual_scans/ and download: 1990_Legacy_Owner_Manual_Scans

The 1990 and '91 Legacy were mostly the same.

GL,
td

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

When you try the TCU diagnostics, does the power light blink steady or do anything? If not, then chances are you may not be doing the procedure properly.

Is the engine & trans warmed up?