trans. temp. light

[Guest]

Last week the transmission oil temperature light began to flash, in my '97
Outback when I started the engine. I thought it was a bad temperature
sensor, or the car was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after
hurricane Wilma. Obviously, the gear oil temperature was at the ambient
temperature after not driving for 10 hours. Now when I make a tight turn at
low speeds or when I back into a parking space with the wheel hard over,
there seems to be binding and bucking in the rear end; are the two related,
and how many kzillion dollars is it going to coast me to have it repaired.
I'm thinking of replacing the best car I've ever owned with a 2006 Subie.
The car has only 135k on the clock, and I'm sure it could double that
figure.

 

[mulder]

Last week the transmission oil temperature light began to flash, in my '97
Outback when I started the engine. I thought it was a bad temperature
sensor, or the car was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after
hurricane Wilma. Obviously, the gear oil temperature was at the ambient
temperature after not driving for 10 hours. Now when I make a tight turn at
low speeds or when I back into a parking space with the wheel hard over,
there seems to be binding and bucking in the rear end; are the two related,
and how many kzillion dollars is it going to coast me to have it repaired.
I'm thinking of replacing the best car I've ever owned with a 2006 Subie.
The car has only 135k on the clock, and I'm sure it could double that
figure.

A flashing AT temp light indicates that a trouble code has been
detected and stored by the transmission control unit. This is similar
to when the check engine light comes on.
There is a procedure in the service manual to read the codes by
connecting the diagnostic plugs under the dash, and counting the
flashes of the AT light. Or, you can have a shop or dealer pull the
codes. Even if the light has gone out, the codes should still be in
memory as long as the battery has not been disconnected in the
meantime.
The binding you are describing sounds like a problem in the rear
differential, which may or may not be related to the light coming on.
If the car was in deep water during the hurricane you should have the
transmission and differential fluids changed as soon as possible as
they may be contaminated with water. Doing so might clear up your
problems.