Transmission + AT Oil Temp Light

[andymcp]

I'm currently driving an automatic '98 Impreza Outback Sport and a few
months ago my speedometer became stuck at 40 and work (for the most
part) over 60. At the same time a sporadic problem of my transmission
shifting from 2nd and then slipping back into 1st when it should be in
3rd. Sometimes it will shift into 3rd after reaching 5 or 6 on the tach
and sometimes and other times it won't. My speedometer seems to be
failing due to something mechanical in the instrument cluster (if I
lightly tap the front of it the needle drops to zero).

After months of this (and waiting for my mechanic back in Maine to ship
me a new instrument cluster in LA) my transmission problem has been
getting significantly more frequent and yesterday after starting my car
the check engine light went on and the "AT Oil Temp" light blinked a
few times. This stopped later in the day yesterday and then happened
again this morning and then check engine light turned off again and the
"AT Oil Temp" was no longer blinking at start up.

While I am already planning on going in to have my instrument cluster
repaired (though it won't happen until early next week) should I be
worried that the check engine light and flashing "AT Oil Temp" light
might be the signs of something serious that I should get checked out
immediately? Or is my car just now aware of what has been broken for
the past few months?

I've had the speed sensor tested (though of course when I brought my
car into the garage the transmission and speedometer happened to be
working fine for that short period of time) so I'm not sure if
replacing the instrument cluster will help.

Any advice would be GREAT!

Thanks,
Andy

 

[jacklinthicum]

I'm currently driving an automatic '98 Impreza Outback Sport and a few
months ago my speedometer became stuck at 40 and work (for the most
part) over 60. At the same time a sporadic problem of my transmission
shifting from 2nd and then slipping back into 1st when it should be in
3rd. Sometimes it will shift into 3rd after reaching 5 or 6 on the tach
and sometimes and other times it won't. My speedometer seems to be
failing due to something mechanical in the instrument cluster (if I
lightly tap the front of it the needle drops to zero).

After months of this (and waiting for my mechanic back in Maine to ship
me a new instrument cluster in LA) my transmission problem has been
getting significantly more frequent and yesterday after starting my car
the check engine light went on and the "AT Oil Temp" light blinked a
few times. This stopped later in the day yesterday and then happened
again this morning and then check engine light turned off again and the
"AT Oil Temp" was no longer blinking at start up.

While I am already planning on going in to have my instrument cluster
repaired (though it won't happen until early next week) should I be
worried that the check engine light and flashing "AT Oil Temp" light
might be the signs of something serious that I should get checked out
immediately? Or is my car just now aware of what has been broken for
the past few months?

I've had the speed sensor tested (though of course when I brought my
car into the garage the transmission and speedometer happened to be
working fine for that short period of time) so I'm not sure if
replacing the instrument cluster will help.

Any advice would be GREAT!

Thanks,
Andy

The AT Oil Temp light is apparently a malfunction of the computer. I
get it when I exceed 80 for about 2 minutes or so, especially when I
have been driving a distance. Virginia and local service says its a
glitch that seems to be solved by stopping, turning off the motor and
then starting up again. I live with it.

 

[Josh Assing]

I'd be concerned -- we had some poor shifting problems in our 97 -- did a power
flush & new filter (much needed) and it solved our issue -- what does your ATF
look like?
any noises coming from the tranny when you shift?

I'm currently driving an automatic '98 Impreza Outback Sport and a few
months ago my speedometer became stuck at 40 and work (for the most
part) over 60. At the same time a sporadic problem of my transmission
shifting from 2nd and then slipping back into 1st when it should be in
3rd. Sometimes it will shift into 3rd after reaching 5 or 6 on the tach
and sometimes and other times it won't. My speedometer seems to be
failing due to something mechanical in the instrument cluster (if I
lightly tap the front of it the needle drops to zero).

After months of this (and waiting for my mechanic back in Maine to ship
me a new instrument cluster in LA) my transmission problem has been
getting significantly more frequent and yesterday after starting my car
the check engine light went on and the "AT Oil Temp" light blinked a
few times. This stopped later in the day yesterday and then happened
again this morning and then check engine light turned off again and the
"AT Oil Temp" was no longer blinking at start up.

While I am already planning on going in to have my instrument cluster
repaired (though it won't happen until early next week) should I be
worried that the check engine light and flashing "AT Oil Temp" light
might be the signs of something serious that I should get checked out
immediately? Or is my car just now aware of what has been broken for
the past few months?

I've had the speed sensor tested (though of course when I brought my
car into the garage the transmission and speedometer happened to be
working fine for that short period of time) so I'm not sure if
replacing the instrument cluster will help.

Any advice would be GREAT!

Thanks,
Andy

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[Funkadyleik Spynwhanker]

Get out the manual, check the level in your fluid for AT.

That should have been the FIRST thing you did after the first time the car
shifted wrong. By waiting, you may have screwed yourself out of a
functional transmission.

Also, check the color and smell of the fluid.

 

[andymcp]

Alright, I'll check on it. I did have my transmission fluid completely
replaced soon after this problem began and it made no difference.

 

[Bill]

Hey Andy- who is your mechanic here in Maine? Inquiring
Minds....here on Bailey Island....Thanx

Bill