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subaru transmission problems

124 messages,  Last post on Jan 24, 2011 at 8:16 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Transmission, Wagon

Messages Page 13 of 13

#117 of 124 '02 Forester with a cranky transmission by joellie

Dec 05, 2010 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: rxburn03 (Oct 06, 2010 8:42 pm)
Sounds like it's not uncommon for Foreseter's to have some transmission issues, and mine certainly has the mileage to justify some problems (190k mi). The transmission makes a humming sound–louder when I'm in 1, 2, and 3 gear, softer when 4 or 5, and very softly when I'm in neutral. So the humming sound really kicks in when I'm in those low gears. And you can feel it a bit, like a subtle lurching. The sound first started back in August, then it went away for two months or so, and now it's come back just a few weeks ago. When I took it in back in August, they said they couldn't tell what was going on without taking the transmission out and opening it up, in which case I just oughtta buy a replacement.
 
You guys seem knowledgeable on the subject–any words of wisdom?
 
Also, I should note that I'm driving cross country in a few weeks. I really appreciate all the advice you can give me. Thanks!

#118 of 124 Re: '02 Forester with a cranky transmission [joellie] by ateixeira

Dec 06, 2010 (8:02 am)

Replying to: joellie (Dec 05, 2010 3:29 pm)
No real trans experience, but at 190k it's due for a rebuild at the very least, no?

#119 of 124 Re: '02 Forester with a cranky transmission [joellie] by xwesx

Dec 06, 2010 (11:25 am)

Replying to: joellie (Dec 05, 2010 3:29 pm)
Have you replaced the fluid recently? How did it look? If you haven't, you might consider flushing the transmission to clean any debris out and get new fluid in there. That could help.
 
As for the cross-country trip, I am certainly not one to shy away from one of those! That said, if the noise sounds loud or is getting progressively worse as the weeks go by, a long trip might just do it in.

#120 of 124 Is it the transmission or what? by mforester

Jan 18, 2011 (5:32 pm)

I have a 1998 Subaru Forrester with 160,000 miles on it, automatic transmission. In the last few weeks the car slips out of gear when I am driving at lower speeds or in stop and go traffic. On the highway going 60+ it stays in gear but once off the highway and driving in town suddenly the RPM jumps up the gears slips down and I have to either rev the the car or take my foot ff the gas and reapply or I have begun just shifting down to 2nd or 3rd on the gear shift to match what the car seems to want to do on its own and then moving up to drive once I've got my speed up.
Anyone else have this issue? Also in the for what its worth category I had the head gasket blow on this car and replaced several years ago. I see the HG getting lots of press in these forums.

#121 of 124 Re: Is it the transmission or what? [mforester] by ateixeira

Jan 19, 2011 (9:39 am)

Replying to: mforester (Jan 18, 2011 5:32 pm)
Yep, sounds like the trans slips out of gear.
 
Oddly enough I had a clutch go out on an ancient Datsun and it felt the same way you described.

#122 of 124 Re: Is it the transmission or what? [mforester] by exchngcarinfo

Jan 19, 2011 (5:12 pm)

Replying to: mforester (Jan 18, 2011 5:32 pm)
mforester, the sooner you get her in for rebuild, the less damage will need to be repaired and also the less it will cost you. If you wait too long you may have to add towing to the bill. Don't wait too long. 13 years and 160+k miles is not bad. If you want to have fun you can ask them what it would cost to drop in a manual transmission in place of the auto. Have a camera ready for the look on their faces.

#123 of 124 Re: Is it the transmission or what? [exchngcarinfo] by aatherton

Jan 24, 2011 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: exchngcarinfo (Jan 19, 2011 5:12 pm)
In addition to "dropping in" the manual transmission, they would also have to change the shifter, the console and the instrument cluster. And reprogram the ECU.

#124 of 124 Re: Is it the transmission or what? [aatherton] by exchngcarinfo

Jan 24, 2011 (8:16 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Jan 24, 2011 7:14 pm)
If it was easy it wouldn't be fun!

Messages Page 13 of 13

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