legacycentral bbs

I have a 92 touring wagon and i think my tranny is finally going. I chanched all filters, and fluids, knock sensors,02 etc. since i bought it. I actually cleared 5 codes in the first 2 weeks of ownership, and am dedicated to making this car work upto it's potential.

Now heres my new problem, start the car it runs and idles great no miss anywhere in the RPM range. Now pull away in drive and there is mad hesitation, the car bucks, lurches and shutters( it seems to get worse the more the car warms up). In reverse the car works great no hesitation. I'm not sure if my tranny is finally shot or if the tourque converter is sticking? Also when on the highway if you slip the car into Neutral and rev the gas it feels as if it's still pulling?

Also I'm getting no Codes( D-check and TCU both clear) it makes no sense. There are two codes stored in the TCU memory 23 and 32 i fixed the cable and that should have taken care of the VSS, but WTF is a code 23 does it indicate slippage?

Anyway being located on the east coast of canada Legacys in general let alone SS's and touring wagons are hard to find in the salvage yards.

I have access to a 4eat from a 91 NA(4:11) and the drive train to go with it. This is option #1.

My other option is a WRX tranny (2002, final drive 3:90) 5spd, but this is much more involved. I guess what i'm wondering is could i use the WRX tranny with my rear diff, a new drive shaft ( NA? ), and what about pedals and mounts??

Any input would be greatly appreciated, I love this car it drives like a dream and hauls ass. But i've already got 2 project cars and i need to figure this legy out. Thanks alot.

The engine revolution sensor code is basically saying that there is a problem with the rpm signal coming over from the ECU to the TCU. If the TCU doesn't get an engine RPM signal, it will sort of freak out and act a little weird.

Hey thanks for the quick reply, i actually use your site as a basis for my cars survival.

ok so I wonder if my ECU may be at fault (not reading/ sending info properly) since its a stored code i'll worry about the crazy hesitation issues, have you had any issues with tourque bind prior to your 5mt swap?

4EAT's notoriously torquebind. It usually happens during slow turns however...

I didn't have any torque bind because I was only FWD.

However contaminated ATF is common cause. You may want to change the fluid and see if that helps with the torque bind.

Thanks i'll change the fluid ASAP and get back to you if it clears up

Ok so just to upated, i was down in Maryland for 2 weeks so i've been away from the car for a bit. Changed the fluid ( it was definately burnt but still no change, installed a tranny cooler in line with the original no change. I then checked the vacuum/ boost and it was really irratic...so i changed all the intake clamps, and checked for leaks.....still nothin. changed out the coil pack, plug wires, plugs, igniter, redid the manifold gaskets, throttle body gasket, cleaned the MAF, and checked all the other sensors and still no change.

So after the final test run of the day I decided to un plug the O2 sensor, just to see. And the car worked great, ran perfect not a hesitation to be seen. Came home plugged it back in (O2) and the car still worked great. When i got up this morning I looked around by the 02 connector and found that the wiring harness that runs across the rear engine mount was wearing through against the mount, Turns out that when i put the car in gear it must flex the mount just enough that it either interupts a voltage or something.

So I opened up the harness and found two wires almost cut in right through. Spliced the wires and re-wrapped the bundle also cut a piece of ABS pipe and wrapped over the spot tha runs by the mount just for added measure.

I love meachanics but despise electrical issues, but whatever it's fixed which is great. Victory is mine, at least for now.

Congratulations on finding and fixing the problem! Now you can enjoy your car!