flashing power light and more!

[bmxkelowna]

well my car does a few weird thing
when i start my car with the fwd fuse in, the power light will come on, not flash then go out. and the car drives just fine.
but then i start the car with out the fuse in (awd) the power light will come on, flash a few times, then go out. and also when i drive away with out that fuse in, it stays in 1st gear up untill around 4000rpm then it will shift. it only does that the 1st time you drive after starting it up though.

so what could cause it to stay in 1st like that? and is the flashing power light bad and what can i do about it?

[bmxkelowna]

ugh well i just did this

1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to D and turn manual switch ON.
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch OFF.
Move selector level to "2" and turn manual switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn manual switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.

and it flashed 3 times then did two quick flashes then 3 then two quick and so on

does that mean that its
"32 Vehicle speed sensor 1"

[Splinter]

TCU codes are different. Im not sure what they are, but they're not the same as the codes the CE light gives you

[bmxkelowna]

http://www.surrealmirage.com/subaru/trans.html

Trouble
Code Item
11 Duty solenoid A
12 Duty solenoid B
13 Shift solenoid 3
14 Shift solenoid 2
15 Shift solenoid 1
21 ATF temp sensor
22 Atmospheric sensor
23 Engine revolution signal
24 Duty solenoid C
25 Engine torque control signal
31 Throttle sensor
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2

so is it not 32 then?

[Splinter]

That is what it appears to be

[bmxkelowna]

any idea what i could do about that?

and also
"and also when i drive away with out that fuse in, it stays in 1st gear up untill around 4000rpm then it will shift. it only does that the 1st time you drive after starting it up though. "

what would be causing this?

[bmxkelowna]

any one else have any ideas? i have tryed searching with no luck

[anthonyle2002]

ya know what, sometimes when i start my car up the power light flashes 16 times. i see no codes for 16 times. anyone knows whats up?

and also, what kind of power steering fluid does a 90 legacy use. the cap says use atf dexron. does it matter what kind?

[Legacy777]

Blinking 16 times means there's an active fault with the TCU. Which as you found out is the VSS1

When any of the VSS's are out, the TCU does some weird stuff. You need to replace the VSS1 in the tail housing of the transmission, and more then likely your problems will go away.

[bmxkelowna]

how easy/cheap is it to replace vss1?

[Legacy777]

Not overly easy. The rear extension of the transmission needs to be removed.

[tmarcel]

edit........started new thread