Ask the Car People.SM


Subaru Legacy/Outback Transmission Problems

580 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 12:13 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Transmission, Sedan, Wagon


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 16 of 59

#149 of 580 Re: Transmission 1998 subaru legacy outback [jefty_jeff] by xwesx

Jan 17, 2008 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: jefty_jeff (Jan 17, 2008 7:40 am)
Dies after about 5 miles? That makes me think of the Mass Airflow Sensor. Especially if the car starts right back up. I had a problem with mine in that it would die at idle, about 5 miles into a drive (or about the time the engine warmed up). Started right back up most of the time. No codes, could not figure it out. A Subie die hard suggested I try the MAS, and I never had that problem afterward. I purchased a junkyard special as well.
 
I had no problems with the AT temp light though. If you just had the head gaskets replaced, I have to wonder if everything is hooked up properly. I would pop the hood and double-check all electrical connectors to make sure everything is seated properly.

#150 of 580 Re: Transmission 1998 subaru legacy outback [paisan] by trcr

Jan 17, 2008 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 17, 2008 8:36 am)
Thanks. Yes the AT Temp light blinks when you start the engine. If a bad solenoid how much to repair?

#151 of 580 Re: Engine racing when clutch depressed...? [carol2008] by jcharis

Jan 17, 2008 (10:12 pm)

Replying to: carol2008 (Jan 09, 2008 6:35 pm)
hello. if you already got a response to this, my apologies. the tach revving up after driving some and then depressing the clutch is normal of all turbocharged vehicles. it's because a turbo will "spool" air while accelerating.. but before it is given the chance to release, if you were to step down on the clutch, the spooled air needing a place to go - some of it will shoot into the engine and some will go thru the diverter valve. but it's perfectly normal. and this is true for ALL turbocharged engines not just subarus.

#152 of 580 Re: Engine racing when clutch depressed...? [jcharis] by paisan

Jan 17, 2008 (10:17 pm)

Replying to: jcharis (Jan 17, 2008 10:12 pm)
Odd, I own several turbo cars including 2 subarus and none of mine rev when I depress the clutch, unless my foot is on the gas at the time.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#153 of 580 transmission problem? by shabe1

Jan 24, 2008 (1:19 pm)

I just bought a used 2005 Subaru Outback in October. It has almost 20,000 miles on it and the warranty is about to expire. I've noticed that since it has gotten cold the car revs high when I start it in the morning, or after it has been sitting for a long period of time. The RPM's go up to about 1500 or slightly higher, and I have to tap the gas peddle to get it to go down. If I don't tap the gas peddle and just put the car in reverse (automatic transmission) the car shakes a bit and makes a noise, almost like it's moaning and shuddering. It only lasts about 5-10 seconds and then it is fine. On three separate occasions when I didn't let the car warm up, but just jumped in and drove away, the car "jumped" or lurched when I was approaching a stop.
 
I literally just picked up the car from a Subaru dealership for service. This was my second trip in for this problem in the last 2 weeks. The first time they updated something computer related, but I noticed no change. This time it isn't throwing any codes, so they don't know what to do. They said they have a call in to tech support, but it has been more than 24 hours with no response so I just picked up my car. Any thought or advice on this problem?

#154 of 580 Re: transmission problem? [shabe1] by janisjade

Jan 24, 2008 (3:16 pm)

Replying to: shabe1 (Jan 24, 2008 1:19 pm)
When it's cold outside it's quite normal for a car's engine to idle at a high RPM until the motor warms up. Usually the engine will idle down on its own once the motor warms up. If you want to knock the idle down prior to that, then you would tap the accelerator in order to accomplish the task.
 
I just had the transmission replaced in my '95 Legacy. One of the things it was doing in the very least was what you describe as "shuddering." Have you checked the transmission fluid level? This is done on level ground after you have driven a couple of miles to warm up the transmission and allow the fluid to circulate through the transmission. It's also done with the transmission in "PARK" and the motor running.
 
Though I'm not a mechanic I am a mechanic's daughter and have a tad bit of exposure to these things.
 
Oh yeah, one more thought: If the engine is idling at a super high rate perhaps your garage needs to adjust the idle. This would best be done on a "cold" engine start-up.
-Janis

#155 of 580 Re: transmission problem? [janisjade] by paisan

Jan 24, 2008 (5:59 pm)

Replying to: janisjade (Jan 24, 2008 3:16 pm)
1500rpms for 10-15 seconds on cold startup is 100% normal on any car. So long as it settles down you are ok as far as that goes. There is no idle adjustments on these cars it should idle between 500-700 when warmed up.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#156 of 580 Re: Engine racing when clutch depressed...? [jcharis] by carol2008

Jan 24, 2008 (6:22 pm)

Replying to: jcharis (Jan 17, 2008 10:12 pm)
Hi, and thanks for the response.. However, my Subaru is not a turbocharged vehicle. The sticker says "2.5L Horizontally--Opposed SOHC Engine" We just had a heavy snow, and after driving about 10 miles, as I was pulling into the driveway, I depressed the clutch, down shifted into 2nd gear, engine raced and I slid into the drive. (I did not have my foot on the gas) ........

#157 of 580 Re: Engine racing when clutch depressed...? [carol2008] by paisan

Jan 24, 2008 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: carol2008 (Jan 24, 2008 6:22 pm)
Definitely should not be revving when you hit the clutch.
 
Check to make sure the carpet isn't laying on the pedal. I had this the other day and had the exact same symptom.
 
If that doesn't do the trick it could be an ECU reprogram or idle air controller.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#158 of 580 Re: Engine racing when clutch depressed...? [paisan] by ateixeira

Jan 25, 2008 (8:46 am)

Replying to: paisan (Jan 24, 2008 8:22 pm)
I thought about an ECU reset, by disconnecting the battery.
 
That should give her a clean slate. What do you think?

Messages Page 16 of 59

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement