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Subaru Legacy/Outback Transmission Problems

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

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


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Messages Page 38 of 59

#366 of 580 2007 with possible problem by ashevilleian

Sep 15, 2009 (6:21 am)

Background info:
I bought a 2007 Subaru outback 2.5i with automatic with about 78,000 miles on it on 9/9/09. the test drive was perfect (though i was excited so i may have missed something) but later that same night, my car was dead so it had to be started using jumper cables and it happened again the next morning. I though i had a dud, but it turns out that stupid parking light switch on the steering column was turned on and had been on for some time (i didn't even know it existed until i called the dealer). I have a new battery and that problem is solved. but now, i have a new one. I don't know if this was occurring before the battery problem or not, but now when i'm driving most shifts feel perfect but every so often it feel like i ran over a speed bump when there is nothing there. it happens a lot on the highways and in the mountains but doesn't necessarily happen every time it shifts or for a certain gear but seems to happen most when i'm accelerating or decelerating. Any ideas?
 
I'm getting the ATF changed this week and will reset the computer to make sure it's not one of these "learned" behaviors.
 
Thanks

#367 of 580 Re: 2007 with possible problem [ashevilleian] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2009 (8:51 am)

Replying to: ashevilleian (Sep 15, 2009 6:21 am)
It isn't necessarly the trans. Could be a bad wheel bearing or something, anything creating artificial resistance while it's moving.
 
I say wheel bearings because those are a common failure at that high mileage.

#368 of 580 Re: 2007 with possible problem [ateixeira] by ashevilleian

Sep 15, 2009 (9:00 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 15, 2009 8:51 am)
The dealer said he replaced the back ones. i guess maybe the front ones should be done next?

#369 of 580 Re: 2007 with possible problem [ashevilleian] by ateixeira

Sep 15, 2009 (11:10 am)

Replying to: ashevilleian (Sep 15, 2009 9:00 am)
They can inspect the front to see if they're bad. There would be some "play" in the wheels.

#370 of 580 another question by ashevilleian

Sep 22, 2009 (5:29 am)

ok, so i was driving my new-used 2007 Subaru outback 2.5i a good deal this past weekend and tried to localize whatever is going on with it a bit more. I had the ATF changed at the Subaru dealer here in asheville but the problem is still occurring. it seems to occur most at higher speeds (between 60-70 mph) and not necessarily during a shift but more when i'm changing speeds. and it feels like i'm driving over one of those strips along the road meant to wake you up if you fall asleep. it only lasts about a second and goes away. it also seems to happen more during inclines. oh and the ball bearings are all fine. any ideas?

#371 of 580 Re: another question [ashevilleian] by ateixeira

Sep 22, 2009 (7:38 am)

Replying to: ashevilleian (Sep 22, 2009 5:29 am)
That's a mystery because I would have guess wheel bearings next, and you say those are OK.
 
I would look at the front diff fluid and the rear diff fluid. Maybe drain and fill, and check the magnetic drain plug to see if any metal shavings came off. Basically looking for other symptoms.
 
Can you tell from which side of the car the noise is coming? Try to narrow it down to front vs. back, or the side.

#372 of 580 Re: another question [ashevilleian] by saedave

Sep 22, 2009 (8:56 am)

Replying to: ashevilleian (Sep 22, 2009 5:29 am)
it only lasts about a second and goes away. it also seems to happen more during inclines. oh and the ball bearings are all fine. any ideas?
 
Is there anything loose under the car that could touch the drive shaft? exhaust pipe, muffler heat shield? Also anything that could touch a wheel...brake line, etc.
 
Could it be the cooling fan or something driven by the serpentine belt?

#373 of 580 Re: another question [ateixeira] by ashevilleian

Sep 22, 2009 (9:07 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Sep 22, 2009 7:38 am)
are the diff fluids easy to change by yourself?
it actually doesn't make a sound really, it just feels like i'm going over one of those strips along the side of the road and i would say it feels like it's coming from the front, but i'll try to localize it a bit more.

#374 of 580 Re: another question [saedave] by ashevilleian

Sep 22, 2009 (9:09 am)

Replying to: saedave (Sep 22, 2009 8:56 am)
I'll check this, but i don't think so. and it doesn't happen all the time, just those times mentioned.
 
there are zero rattles or shakes anywhere in the car that i can hear. i hate when things rattle or squeak so i'm pretty quick to act when i do hear something.

#375 of 580 Re: another question [ashevilleian] by xwesx

Sep 22, 2009 (9:52 am)

Replying to: ashevilleian (Sep 22, 2009 9:07 am)
No real sound, but you can feel it and it only happens when the gears shift. Perhaps I am way off base here, but I almost think there is an issue with the torque converter - perhaps the lock-up clutch? It would be an uncommon failure if this is the case, but it just seems like it has something to do with the operation of the transmission.

Messages Page 38 of 59

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