legacycentral bbs

Just bought a '92 Legacy L sedan to fix and put back on the road.....it has tranny issues.

Car won't move @ all in 1st.

Moves in 2, 3 & D, but has only one gear - 3rd- Doesn't shift up or down - Hey, it's a CVT!

Reverse works, but car is slow to engage.

I drove it home on back roads @ up to 45 mph, and started to whine the longer I drove it (just like the ol' 4EAT in my '90 except all its gears still worked 'til I swapped in the turbo 4EAT).

Once up to speed (30+) it would accelerate up to 50, and it climbed the previous owner's steep 1/4-mile long driveway w/out too much complaint.

Tranny fluid doesn't look too bad, but does smell 'crispy'.

NO TCU codes stored, either.

Just wanted to confirm it's beyond a flush/refill/pray?

And what does a bad torque converter act like?

I've got an extra tranny waiting for deployment (Thanks Lee!), so I'm covered either way.

Thanks
TD

Edit: Found this from the USMB site - endwrench LINK:

"If shift solenoids #1 or #2 malfunction, the TCU
deactivates the other. This results in either 3rd gear or
Reverse (when selected).
If duty solenoid A fails, line pressure goes to maximum.
If duty solenoid B fails, the torque converter lock-up
will not occur.
If shift solenoid #3 malfunctions, the overrunning
clutch is always ON and there will be engine braking
during deceleration.
If duty solenoid C should fail, the AWD control will
be set to maximum and the rear wheels will always
be powered."

But it should throw a code??!

There's probably some stuff wrong inside, but without pulling it, it'd be hard to say. You could try dropping the pan and see what things look like. You can access the solenoids from the bottom side of the valve body.

Fluid looks dark and smells very burnt. Didn't see much, if any, metal in the fluid....but didn't pull the pan.

Due to the lack of TCU codes, it's mechanical; not electrical. Which is another nail in the coffin.

Tranny is out and replacement going in.

FIXED w/a '92 (?) Turbo 4EAT Tranny. Used the NA Torque Converter so I didn't have to deal w/the flex plate, and used the NA TCU....According the new owner (sold it yesterday), it shifted fine...just the like his previous '93 L sedan.