legacycentral bbs

I have a 1991 subaru legacy, and the overdrive will not engage. Is this due to a bad transmisson control module or something else? the button works and lights up however it will never go into OD. Any help appreciated. thanks

You don't have overdrive to begin with.

You have to excuse my ignorance...I am new to subaru. I just recieved it from my dad as a gift...no owners manual. There is a button on the gear selector that says manual, he told me that it was the overdrive button?? I also runs at what I percieved to be a high RPM range about 3300RPM@ 70mph, is this normal? And what exactly is the manual button for? Thanks.

Welcoma aboard.

The "manual" switch on the 4eat keeps it from shifting down when in fiirst or second. It gives gentler acceleration when starting on slippery ice or snow.

Do a search for more info

Ahh OK. My wagon has 200,000 miles on it. It only gets about 20mpg on the hwy. Is this normal for the age of the vehicle?

Ok....Whats with the green power light next to the manual light? Sorry for all the stupid newbie questions....again I have no owners manual and one repair manual that makes no ref. to the basics. Also how would you tell if your tcu is bad and where exactly is it located?? Thanks.....

Ok. To answer your first question: You don't have overdrive, you have Torque Converter lock up. Basically, it's kind of like overdrive, but not. At 70 MPH, you should be turning around 3k. From what you describe, it seems that your torque converter isn't locking up.

Second: The manual button has no real function except for at low speeds in low traction.

Third: The green light is the power mode light. When you turn your car on, this light should come on, then go off after about 2 seconds or so.. This light will come on under hard acceleration (basically, it changes the shift points of the transmission).

4th/5th: You don't need to know where the TCU is..odds are it isn't broken. And as for your gas mileage; start with the basics. Change your air filter, spark plugs, and plug wires. After that, go to oxygen sensor.

Sweet. Thanks for all the info. Changed everything with the exception of the oxygen sensor. Get to that ASAP. Thanks for helpin the newbie.......