OutbackWagon with jumpy transmission

[JAY ODELL]

Whenever the temperature drops below 30 degrees F. or so, my Outback Wagon's
auto transmission behaves oddly the first time I run it in the morning. It
runs normally as I leave the driveway and go down a hill. When I slow down
at the corner and then give it some gas to accelerate up a steep hill it
tries to drop into third -- but instead goes into neutral,and the engine
races up to 4000++ RPM -- Then the tranny slams into gear with a mighty bang
and then proceeds normally. On a really cold morning sometimes this repeats
a couple more times going up the hill. After it goes a few miles and warms
up it runs just fine.
This has happened several times last year and again this year, but only
the very first thing after starting on a very cold morning. The local Subaru
dealer has "looked at it" on two occasions but, naturally, says everything
checks out normally.

Anyone ever hear of a similar problem? Any suggestions?
Thanks Scott

 

[Zane Owen]

I have an '03 Forester that basically does the same thing but not as
severe as you describe. When I drive out of my driveway, the shift from
first to second is smooth but the next shift takes a long time for it to
occur then I get an instant high rpm as if the tranny is slipping after
which it goes into gear and I have no more trouble with it the rest of
the day! My dealer informed me that some Subys had that problem
(reprogramed computers solved it) but there was no Technical Service
Bulletin re the Forester!! So far I am not pushing the issue--just
waiting to see if it gets worse before my warranty runs out in about 18
months!!!

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 Forester AT has done this for 80,000 miles (since New). I think the
trans may have a temp no shift function between 2d and higher gears to let
fluid warm up before loading. I just hold ~2500 rpm till it shifts in about
5-10 seconds. ed

 

[Zane Owen]

Thanks for the info!! Will try the 2500 rpm trick and see if it works ok
on my '03 Suby for 80000 miles--sounds good to me!!!

 

[scott]

Thanks, I'll certainly share this with my dealer. Interesting that even if
not a recall item, that some dealers are aware of the problem. Mine did it
again a few days ago when I left the house on a cold morning. High RPM,
than slammed into gear, than behaved properly after warming up. Takes me
back to the good old days of squealing speedometer cable and screaming
clutch throwout bearings in high mileage old cars on frosty mornings.
Somehow I would expect more of a low miles high tech modern Subaru!
Scott

 

[Louis M. Brown]

Whenever the temperature drops below 30 degrees F. or so, my Outback Wagon's
auto transmission behaves oddly the first time I run it in the morning. It
runs normally as I leave the driveway and go down a hill. When I slow down
at the corner and then give it some gas to accelerate up a steep hill it
tries to drop into third -- but instead goes into neutral,and the engine
races up to 4000++ RPM -- Then the tranny slams into gear with a mighty bang
and then proceeds normally. On a really cold morning sometimes this repeats
a couple more times going up the hill. After it goes a few miles and warms
up it runs just fine.
This has happened several times last year and again this year, but only
the very first thing after starting on a very cold morning. The local Subaru
dealer has "looked at it" on two occasions but, naturally, says everything
checks out normally.

Anyone ever hear of a similar problem? Any suggestions?
Thanks Scott

Sounds like a valve body problem....shift valve getting stuck, and
finally, pushed back out, 3rd gear clutches /band (if any) applies
suddenly and forcefully...

When did you last change the fluid?


-LMB

 

[Edward Hayes]

My 2000 when cold will stay in 2-3 gear for up to 20 seconds or so when
cold. I am told trans does this till fluid is warm. When it does shift the
the is a 2-300 rpm flair. All this happens ONLY the first drive on a
cold/cool morning and Subaru has a paper on it for dealers. Yours is not
right. The first thing I would do is check the fluid when HOT and car is
level. It sounds like low or old fluid and the steep hill may be
contributing. Ther are also shift solinoids but I have little knowledge in
this area so someone with experience jump in. ed