'97 Auto starts in 2nd gear??

[MooseMan]

My fiance has a '97 Legacy L Auto with about 170,000 miles on it. The thing runs great - but the transmission does some really weird shifting in first and second gear. The best I can tell is that it doesn't actually make it back to first gear and is starting in second. Once in second - it realizes that it needs more power and slams it back to first.

 

I can shift up by hand on the auto shifter and it works fine.

 

Anybody else have this problem? Suggestions?

 

Thanks!

[boris1]

My fiance has a '97 Legacy L Auto with about 170,000 miles on it. The thing runs great - but the transmission does some really weird shifting in first and second gear. The best I can tell is that it doesn't actually make it back to first gear and is starting in second. Once in second - it realizes that it needs more power and slams it back to first.

 

I can shift up by hand on the auto shifter and it works fine.

 

Anybody else have this problem? Suggestions?

 

Thanks!

 

Looks like no one knowledgeable has real advice. I may be completly off but maybe your computer has come to learn to shift that way according to you driving style.

I can suggest as a last resort to reset your computer by disconnecting the battery for a minute. Once it is reset, it may "re-learn" to your driving style and shift differently.

[unobtainium]

If I recall correctly, it is meant to do that when the car is cold. You are supposed to be able to over-ride its preference to start in second. You might check on the "New Generation" part of the Ultimate Subaru message board, http://www.ultimatesubaru.net.