AutoTransmission shift issue

[jfaatz]

Need some help from any of you wizards who might be reading this. I have had a 91 Legacy L with automatic for about 3 months. A few weeks ago it began not shifting out of first gear, then it would, then it wouldn't, then sometimes it would shift good to third but no fourth. Then sometimes it works perfect. When this first happened, I changed the fluid and checked the filter. The old fluid looked fine. Then it ran fine for about 200 miles then same thing all over. I then changed the filter, putting in more new fluid. It ran fine about 10 miles that time. So it sat parked for a few days and I find the trouble code check at this site and ran it. No trouble it says. I do a test drive 15 mi. and everything's fine. So I give it back to the wife, reasuringly, (it clearly doesn't like her) it immediately throws its fit again. Tried the trouble code check again and the two little lights won't light, neither the light around the gear indicator. So now it is parked again for a few days. I just yesterday discovered some reference to a 'transmission control unit', before, I was thinking I might have to replace the ECU... When the Trany is working right, it works good, I just find it hard to believe it's going bad. I don't know the actual mileage since the speedo cable broke at 121,000. Sure hope I can save this one, we really like it. Thanks

[THAWA]

Well if it's the tcu's fault you can swap that out fairly easily. What do you mean the lights wont light?

[jfaatz]

The Power light that flashes the code.

[BAC5.2]

Doesn't the Check Engine Light flash the code?

[THAWA]

Not for transmission problems. First I'd check to make sure it's not just a loose connector on the tcu or osmething like that. If you stick your head right on the brake pedal, and look twords the roof, you should be able to see the tcu. I dont have any pictures, but it should have 3 (i think, maybe 4) black connectors on the bottom of it. It's bright gold or something.

[jfaatz]

Thanks, I've located the TCU and wiggling the wires will be my first project in the morn. Also, from reading old messages posted here will be checking to see if non working speedo is related.