gary_gnu Posted August 21, 2012 Share Posted August 21, 2012 My 2005 Legacy 2.5i has the automatic transmission and 130k miles, I've owned it for 5 years. For the past 2 winters it had trouble engaging first gear unless I let it warm up for 5 minutes. The past 2 days have been the coldest mornings since last spring and sure enough, it wouldn't go into gear. Except this year, it takes 10 minutes to warm up and it's 30 degrees warmer now than it'll be in winter. I remember reading about solutions last year but I can't find any of those posts that relate to my issue. It only occurs when the engine is cold, and the problem goes away once it goes into gear, but sometimes the first minute or so has a few clunks as it's shifting up and down as I leave my neighborhood. I've never changed the fluid/filter since I bought it, so is that a good place to start? Is this a sign that there's a more serious mechanical issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osei Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Replace the fluid. To do a complete rfluid change, you'll have to drain and fill about 3 times,since all of the fluid does not drain at once. Some stays in the torque converter etc. Need to drive at least 10 miles between changes. You should notice a difference after the first change, unless there is something mechanical going on. Start with the simple things first O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShrinerMonkey Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Change the fluid at a shop that has a BG fluid exchange machine or similar and just use the BG Universal ATF. You will get out close to 100% of the old fluid using an exchange machine rather than several drain and fills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cseagle08 Posted August 28, 2012 Share Posted August 28, 2012 Is the fluid full? Definitely change it, hopefully it's been changed before, cause 130K miles on transmission fluid I'd be surprised if it still shifted at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_gnu Posted September 25, 2012 Author Share Posted September 25, 2012 I've done the drain-and-fill twice, and I'm still having trouble getting the car to shift into gear on cold mornings. Also, I could only get 4 quarts of ATF out each time I drained it. Does that mean I'm about a quart low? I think I'm reading the dipstick right and it looks full, but maybe I'm wrong and the low fluid is the main cause of my shifting issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShrinerMonkey Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I've done the drain-and-fill twice, and I'm still having trouble getting the car to shift into gear on cold mornings. Also, I could only get 4 quarts of ATF out each time I drained it. Does that mean I'm about a quart low? I think I'm reading the dipstick right and it looks full, but maybe I'm wrong and the low fluid is the main cause of my shifting issue? A drain and fill only gets out about half the fluid because the torque converter will not drain. You have to go to a shop that uses a fluid exchange machine in order to change 100% of the fluid. If you went 130k miles on the original fluid the transmission could be toast. A well maintained car is a happy one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osei Posted September 26, 2012 Share Posted September 26, 2012 I'd try Trans X medic. It has helped many a sluggish tranny. Although not recommended, I've seen too many subys with as many miles as yours or more with the same T fluid. They seem to be running along ok. O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gary_gnu Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 Does anybody else have any ideas? I've still got this problem every morning. Another thing I've noticed is that when the car is cold, but warmed up enough to go into gear, when I'm turning sharp (but driving slow) to get of the parking spot, there is some clunking coming from something by the wheels. Is that normal, or another problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I Donated Too laff79 Posted January 18, 2013 I Donated Too Share Posted January 18, 2013 drain and fill the ATF a couple times. the clunk could be a number of things. Check your front LCA bushings first Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators BarManBean Posted January 18, 2013 Moderators Share Posted January 18, 2013 drain and fill the ATF a couple times. the clunk could be a number of things. Check your front LCA bushings first Better yet, unplug one of the ATF lines and let the engine pump out the old fluid while you add new fluid through the dipstick--much more efficient. "Bullet-proof" your OEM TMIC! <<Buy your kit here>> Not currently in stock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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