Weird Tranny Problem (PLEASE HELP!)

[jdhore]

When i'm going on the highway, when i get up to around 60-65mph, the engine is revving at about 5000-5500rpm and i was wondering if it's a problem (and if so, what could be causing it) or if it's normal for Subarus...It is at least shifting out of 1st gear, but shifting out of 1st is a pretty rough shift...I've got a non-Turbo 1992 Legacy L with an automatic tranny and manual mode isn't on and the shifter is in D the whole time this is happening...i checked the ATF this afternoon and it looked full.

If anyone could give me any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated.

Also, i apologize if i posted this in the wrong forum...

Thanks
JD

[Bheinen74]

thats definitely not normal.
so, your car has 1st gear according to your description, and maybe 2nd.
even with the gear slector in the D position, the car chooses via the computer to start out in 1st gear, unless you have it in manual mode, then it starts out in 2nd gear. So, if you are stopped, and start out onto the street or road, it should be shifting up the gears the faster you go.,,,1st gear, then upshift to 2nd, then 3rd, etc. If you are seeing 5500 RPM at 60, that is about right for first or maybe second gear. Your tranny is not upshifting into 3rd and 4th. It might be shifting into 2nd, hard to tell. Sounds like your tranny is needing worked on. Have you had the transmission fluid changed and flushed? Try that first. Does your speedometer work? Are you seeing any flashing lights near the power mode on dash? Do you have a check engine code light? The tranny computer determines when to shift based on engine RPM and speed, it uses the internal VSS (vehicle speed sensor) inside the tranny to compare it to engine speed, to know when it needs to shift up or down. That VSS sensor might be a possible problem too. You need to have a mechanic check it out. Course, they might all recommend a new tranny-but you might not have that serious of a problem. could be a loose electrical connector, old fluid, clogged filter, about 100 other things, that a good mechanic could diganose for you.l

correct way to check fluid level ATF: start car, run shift lever back and forth through all positions several times, holding in each position briefly. Keep the car running, the level MUST BE CHECKED with car running. The ATF diptstick is on the same side of car as steering wheel, hidden by the starter sort of.

good luck report back.

[jdhore]

thats definitely not normal.
so, your car has 1st gear according to your description, and maybe 2nd.
even with the gear slector in the D position, the car chooses via the computer to start out in 1st gear, unless you have it in manual mode, then it starts out in 2nd gear. So, if you are stopped, and start out onto the street or road, it should be shifting up the gears the faster you go.,,,1st gear, then upshift to 2nd, then 3rd, etc. If you are seeing 5500 RPM at 60, that is about right for first or maybe second gear. Your tranny is not upshifting into 3rd and 4th. It might be shifting into 2nd, hard to tell. Sounds like your tranny is needing worked on. Have you had the transmission fluid changed and flushed? Try that first. Does your speedometer work? Are you seeing any flashing lights near the power mode on dash? Do you have a check engine code light? The tranny computer determines when to shift based on engine RPM and speed, it uses the internal VSS (vehicle speed sensor) inside the tranny to compare it to engine speed, to know when it needs to shift up or down. That VSS sensor might be a possible problem too. You need to have a mechanic check it out. Course, they might all recommend a new tranny-but you might not have that serious of a problem. could be a loose electrical connector, old fluid, clogged filter, about 100 other things, that a good mechanic could diganose for you.l

correct way to check fluid level ATF: start car, run shift lever back and forth through all positions several times, holding in each position briefly. Keep the car running, the level MUST BE CHECKED with car running. The ATF diptstick is on the same side of car as steering wheel, hidden by the starter sort of.

good luck report back.

i just got the car today and thanks for your answers, i will look into some of that stuff...from what i've noticed, the speedometer is working and there is nothing flashing by the power mode light on the dash...i don't believe the tranny fluid was ever flushed (the car came with pretty complete service records) so i'll give that a try...thanks again

[quicklook]

i agree with jdhore, this is not normal and i would advise you not to keep doing tests at that speed or you will toast trans if you already have not.

do fluid change, try disconnecting the batterry to reset computer, look to make sure nothing is dosconnected in engine bay and around trans.