New Legacy with 4EAT Problems

[Benderama]

I just bought a 1994 Subaru Legacy SS with the Dreaded 4EAT for 700 bucks. The car has issues in at least 1st and 3rd. If I place the car in manual mode and put it in first the dash indicates that the car is in Neutral but it will move though there is a lot of slip. 2nd gear works and I can run the car out to about 65 but as soon as I try to shift to 3rd it slips and wants to kick back down into second. My battery is completely dead so I have not checked for tranny codes yet but that will be coming tomorrow. Fluid looks good and doesn't smell burnt. I was thinking it may be an issue with some sticking solenoids being as the car has been sitting since 2009. Any Ideas?

[mike-tracy]

How about a junkyard 96-98 EJ25 engined Legacy tranny and rear diff? About 50-75% of the time people post auto tranny problems on this site, the conclusion is they need a $$$ rebuild.

Or, since it sounds like you prefer a manual transmission "fun car" why not convert it? That be my choice.

[Benderama]

I have posted about this before and could never really find and auto or a manual that would meet the price to performance/durability that I would like. I am prepared to have the trans pulled and shipped out to someone like Jasper to have it rebuilt but I would of course like to fix the one I have. I would love a manual but an NA 5spd just sounds like a bad idea to me. The WRX/STi swaps would be fun and durable but prolly cost more than having my auto rebuilt. I don't have the tools, space, or time to do it myself and I don't think any garages around here are interested in that kind of job. So a 96-98 is a direct fit? How do they hold up over time?

[mike-tracy]

90-98 4eats will work with your car, but the 96-98 Ej25 legacy trannies (ie. The GT, most outbacks, LSI, etc) have a 4.44:1 final drive, vs your 3.9. Nice bump in acceleration.

People put those trannies in SVX's, and they seem to hold up with the 230hp good.

[Benderama]

Wow I did not know that the spread was that wide for compatible trannies! I did some research into an SVX before and was going to buy one and put a 4.44 in it but it all fell through. Knowing that the 4.44s hold up well, do you happen to know what the 4.11s came in? I do some highway driving and would like to be able to do 65ish without having the turbo at full spool. On second thought I can prolly find that info in a sticky somewhere. I will post more info prolly tomorrow once I have gotten a chance to do some digging in the car.

[mike-tracy]

The 4.11's came in 96-98 ej22 legacys and certain 1st gens but I'm not certain which.

I had an SUS (outback sedan) and forester and with 4.44 trannies I was doing about 2.7k rpm at 70. But... Those had the bigger tires which changes your final drive a bit. I'm sure the revs would be higher at the same speed, with normal size tires.

[Legacy777]

With normal sized tires, expect to be at least at 3k at 70 mph

[Benderama]

Yeah that is way to high for highway cruising. So I got the battery in today, doesn't seem like there are any stored codes. The pan is coming off tomorrow with a new filter and pan seal plus fresh fluid and some trans additive. Lets hope!

[Benderama]

Well I pulled the pan, no chunks and the fluid was OK. Tried some trans fix and fresh fluid, no change. While I was cleaning up I noticed lots of metal shavings in my old fluid, guess that means its busted. Does anyone know where the trans go shift kit can still be purchased from? I will have it installed when I get it rebuilt.

[mike-tracy]

Depending on what the rebuilders quoted you, it could be much cheaper to swap in a 5mt, or similarly priced as a 6mt.

[rpress]

I just bought a 1994 Subaru Legacy SS with the Dreaded 4EAT for 700 bucks. The car has issues in at least 1st and 3rd. If I place the car in manual mode and put it in first the dash indicates that the car is in Neutral but it will move though there is a lot of slip. 2nd gear works and I can run the car out to about 65 but as soon as I try to shift to 3rd it slips and wants to kick back down into second. My battery is completely dead so I have not checked for tranny codes yet but that will be coming tomorrow. Fluid looks good and doesn't smell burnt. I was thinking it may be an issue with some sticking solenoids being as the car has been sitting since 2009. Any Ideas?

If the dash does not indicate the gear you are in, you have a problem with your cable adjustment, inhibitor switch, or wiring. The TCU needs to know what gear it is in, the reason it slips is because the TCU is not applying enough line pressure because it thinks it's just in neutral.

There may be other problems too, slipping 3rd could be a bad high clutch.

[Benderama]

Awesome, I found an article in my Chiltons describing the adjustment. I will do that this week along a brake band adjustment and I will see what happens. Thanks for the input.

[Benderama]

So something really strange happened. I pulled the car out to work on the linkages (Which all are in adjustment) then I went to move the car and now I have no Tach, Power Windows, Gear Select Indicator and my Blower Motor. My radio, power mirrors, speedometer, etc work and the car starts and runs. I checked fuses and cant find a bad. Unfortunately I don't have a multimeter so I can't confirm. Does the TCU control this stuff? If so maybe a bad TCU? That would explain all my problems

[Benderama]

False Alarm. After pulling every fuse in the car, the "Meter SRS Lamp" fuse apparently runs everything! Guess this Tranny is going to the shop.

[Benderama]

Yeah car is back. I ended up having a tranny from a 97 L swapped into it. It is a 4.11, that plus a fresh timing belt for 1300$!
Well now on to the tune up.

[Someperson]

did you swap in the rear diff too?

[Benderama]

Yep all 4.11 stuff under the car now.