2000 RS 2.5 Impreza Transmission problems?

[Jerry]

My wife's 2000 RS 2.5 Impreza has an automatic transmission and lately has
been taking longer to engage into drive when moving the gear selector from
park/neutral to drive. I called the dealership to make an appointment, but
their initial response was that up to 5 seconds was normal?!? However, it
never took this long before which suggests that something may be wrong. It
appears to take about 3 seconds before it engages, but use to be almost
instantaneous. I don't drive the car much so her perception was that it's
been like that for a while, but I noticed it immediately after driving it
earlier this week. The car was just in for it's 60K check up back in March
and it may have started after that service inspection. However, they didn't
change the transmission fluid at that interval. In fact, the transmission
fluid hasn't been changed since 30K. Could it be as simple as changing the
fluid or is it more complicated than that? Just looking for some insight on
what it could be and whether or not I may be able to resolve it prior to
running the car down to the dealer next week.

Any helps is appreciated.

Thanks,

-Jerry

 

[Tony Hwang]

My wife's 2000 RS 2.5 Impreza has an automatic transmission and lately has
been taking longer to engage into drive when moving the gear selector from
park/neutral to drive. I called the dealership to make an appointment, but
their initial response was that up to 5 seconds was normal?!? However, it
never took this long before which suggests that something may be wrong. It
appears to take about 3 seconds before it engages, but use to be almost
instantaneous. I don't drive the car much so her perception was that it's
been like that for a while, but I noticed it immediately after driving it
earlier this week. The car was just in for it's 60K check up back in March
and it may have started after that service inspection. However, they didn't
change the transmission fluid at that interval. In fact, the transmission
fluid hasn't been changed since 30K. Could it be as simple as changing the
fluid or is it more complicated than that? Just looking for some insight on
what it could be and whether or not I may be able to resolve it prior to
running the car down to the dealer next week.

Any helps is appreciated.

Thanks,

-Jerry

Hi,
First thing to do is to check the fluid condition and level.
I think 2000 Imprezas had some tranny issues. My daughter's 2000
Impreza developed problem after logging only 6000 Kms.
Tranny became very sluggish and almost won't drive the car
any more. When taken to dealer, we're told it came from factory
with very low fluid level causing internal damage(?).
They replaced it with brand new assembly shippied in in a wooden crate.
mechanic told us no sense fixing the broken one since car was on
warranty. Nice dealership we have.
Tony

 

[Jerry]

Hi,
First thing to do is to check the fluid condition and level.
I think 2000 Imprezas had some tranny issues. My daughter's 2000
Impreza developed problem after logging only 6000 Kms.
Tranny became very sluggish and almost won't drive the car
any more. When taken to dealer, we're told it came from factory
with very low fluid level causing internal damage(?).
They replaced it with brand new assembly shippied in in a wooden crate.
mechanic told us no sense fixing the broken one since car was on
warranty. Nice dealership we have.
Tony

Interesting, but at least the dealership took care of the problem the right
way from the start. In all honesty, the car has been great with almost no
problems to date. Unfortunately, I had to deal with transmission problems
in the past with another vehicle and rather not go down that path again. It
can be a very expensive fix to say the least. I will post again on the
dealer's findings once the inspection is complete. Hopefully, it will be a
simple fix.

Thanks,

-Jerry

 

[Jerry]

appointment, However, wrong. changing

Interesting, but at least the dealership took care of the problem the right
way from the start. In all honesty, the car has been great with almost no
problems to date. Unfortunately, I had to deal with transmission problems
in the past with another vehicle and rather not go down that path again. It
can be a very expensive fix to say the least. I will post again on the
dealer's findings once the inspection is complete. Hopefully, it will be a
simple fix.

Thanks,

-Jerry

I forgot to mention, but the fluid level is fine. I couldn't really comment
on the condition of the fluid, but it appears normal to me.

-Jerry

 

[Tony Hwang]

I forgot to mention, but the fluid level is fine. I couldn't really comment
on the condition of the fluid, but it appears normal to me.

-Jerry

Hi,
Burnt fluid looks dark, not usual fresh looking pink.
Also it smells different.
Good luck,
Tony

 

[Jerry]

Hi,
Burnt fluid looks dark, not usual fresh looking pink.
Also it smells different.
Good luck,
Tony

Got it. This was clean looking and smelt like normal transmission fluid.

Thanks,

-Jerry

 

[Jerry]

almost

Got it. This was clean looking and smelt like normal transmission fluid.

Thanks,

-Jerry

For what it's worth, the dealer said the car needs a new transmission. At
least it's covered under warranty.

-Jerry