1998 AT shifting badly

[ccaissie]

I searched previous threads and found this:

https://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/98-shifting-issue-265155.html?t=265155&highlight=slipping

 

Opinion was "new tranny", but there was no follow up, so is that the diagnosis and treatment?

My symptoms are just a bit different:

98 Legacy L.

 

1. Park, Reverse, 1st second good. all proper shift positions. Linkage likely intact.

2. Will slip out of D, mostly going up hills....goes to 1st gear.

3. I find that manually shifting it into 2nd works and gets me to 35-40mph to get up hills.

4. Putting it in D after gaining speed, or when cresting a hill going down, causes it to shift into 3rd and 4th.

5. It will cruise along pretty good for a while, but I can feel it softly shifting 3rd to 4th and back...which is normal, it downshifts on grades, but this seems a bit too frequent.

6. Seems to be WORSE when COLD.

 

I put a can of 'seafoam tranny sauce' in and it seems to be a bit better, but it is now overfilled.

 

C

[ccaissie]

Restored fluid level, all ok.

 

Shifted fine yesterday, all day. Was pleased.

 

Today was ok until warmed up, then in drive, it goes into neutral or stays in first, and won't grab any gear. I have to manually put it in second gear and limp home.

 

So, what's the deal with the solenoids, and the shift controls? When it runs, it is perfect, then it screws up and is a disaster.

[Setnev]

Sounds like a faulty Duty Solenoid A. This regulates the pump pressure within the transmission and valve body to provide consistent and smooth shifting. Unfortunately, its a bear to replace, but can be done at home with the guidance of a FSM and about 2-3 hours of time without removing the transmission. There is also a Gear 2-4 solenoid in there too that could be causing problems too.

 

How does your transmission oil look? Have you changed both filters recently? Fluid change?

[ccaissie]

Thanks for the reply. I have a subaruguru (SG) nearby so after some conversation with him, I am checking the wiring harnesses over the bellhousing, and will next contemplate the solenoid replacement.

 

The oil is nasty, so I plan to incorporate an oil/filter change and will have access to the solenoid. That's the crux of the operation, yes? Pulling the pan and filter to get access? SG didn't seem to think it was a difficult job, since I've done some real ugly jobs before.

 

Drives like a dream until it doesn't.