Help me out here. I just got an 04 TS wagon and I've read a couple people on here say something about clutch shudder. What are they talking about specifically.

I have noticed on my car that while starting (in 1st of course) that it isn't perfectly smooth. I can feel a little slip on the clutch just as I start that shouldn't be there.

I'm quite sure it isn't just me. I've driven standards for years. Even my old OBS didn't do this.

And just like everyone else with a Subaru, I have trouble putting it in reverse sometimes. I just roll the car forward an inch and then put it in reverse. I really wish they would fix that.

Hell, while I'm here b****in, I can't stand how the new 04 imprezas turn on the A/C automatically when the defrost is turned on. As if I'm too dumb to know to use the A/C in the winter to help def the window.

read the tread in tranny board about clutch shudder... its very very big and will tell you a lot about it

The clutch judder TSB only covers cars made until midway through MY03. You do not have the same shudder as what is covered by that particular thread.
Reverse is a straight-cut unsynchronized gear. There is nothing wrong with your transmission.
Most people really are unaware that you are supposed to turn the AC on with the defroster. I would see it as a convenience.

Kuth, I'm with you.

The clutch shudder problem is a big one, but it doesn't sound like you've got it, yet... You wouldn't be asking about it if you had it, it's like somebody jack-hammering in the cargo area.

As for the A/C with defrost, let me disagree with "BAN SUVS" (what a moronic user name, btw) and say that I don't want "conveniences" like these...
Do a search or ask further, but if you pop out the center of the dash and cut one of the purple wires in the HVAC system it'll knock out this silly "convenience." It's about a 10 minute project.

First post and you're dissing a Moderator! :rolleyes:

That's ballz... or something..?

I suppose the BMW you drive, as indicated by your username (clever, by the way- how long did it take you to think that one up? :rolleyes: ) doesn't run the A/C on when you hit the defrost? I stand by my statement- most people are unaware that you need to turn the AC on with the defroster, so it is included with the vehicle, much like most people like power steering, power brakes, and turn signals that shut themselves off. No car is all things for all people, and this is a very petty issue to be complaining about.

Jamester, it's not my first post... whenever the format of i-club changed, my profile got dumped (and WTF is the "Service" forum?!). In any case, 1. making a lot of posts doesn't make anybody smarter or more knowledgeable (quite the opposite, sometimes), 2. moderator's aren't any less fallible than the rest of us, and 3. we should keep especially vigilant about keeping the moderators honest.


BAN SUVS, I had had a BMW for eight years when I joined i-club, and knew much more about old BMW's than Subaru Imprezas, hence I'm "Bimmer." My BMW was a '74 2002tii: no A/C, and the defroster blower didn't work, anyway.

Personally, I think power steering is over-rated, but I do like power brakes and self-cancelling turn signals (even my BMW had them).

As for turning on the A/C with the defroster, yeah, sometimes it's useful. I live in arid SoCal, and almost always I can get by with just using the defroster vents, without running the A/C compressor.

Point is, there are better ways to do this than the Subura way, which is clearly designed to help out the most ignorant possible driver possible (don't get me started on the clutch switch ignition interlock).
For example, if I remember correctly, my ex-gf's Honda Civic turned automatically on the A/C with the defrost, too, but at least the A/C button illuminated just like otherwise, and at least I could turn off the A/C by pushing the button. Subaru allows me no such option, and I find that silly...

So I cut the purple wire, and encourage others to do so, too. If you like the feature, or think it's a really petty issue, then don't cut the purple wire.

Ben

PS "BAN SUVS" is just a plain dumb user name. First, putting your user name in all caps is a sign of a swelled ego (unless it's an abbreviation). Second, banning a (poorly designated) class of vehicles is not only unrealistic, but would start us down a steep slippery slope towards banning every vehicle but bicycles and golf carts. Have a nice day, doofus.

Do you normally flame people out of the blue just because you don't like their user name?

Originally posted by Bimmer
PS "BAN SUVS" is just a plain dumb user name. First, putting your user name in all caps is a sign of a swelled ego (unless it's an abbreviation). Second, banning a (poorly designated) class of vehicles is not only unrealistic, but would start us down a steep slippery slope towards banning every vehicle but bicycles and golf carts. Have a nice day, doofus.

http://members.roadfly.com/bansuvs/My RS at Mt Hamilton 7-13-03.jpg

BAN SUVS is more accurate than Ban Suvs. No I wouldn't actually call for or support legislation that would do so. I just plain don't like them. If I thought you had any real perspective, I would continue to discuss it with you. As it is, since you seem to dislike Subaru and its products so much, why are you still posting? Nothing happened to your old profile- it's alive and kicking I'm sure at www.nasioc.com if you were to pay enough attention to notice. Also, I haven't done anything dishonest or that would make others think I believe myself to be "infallible." It's quite presumptive of you to suggest otherwise. I suggest you stick to discussions in which you are actually knowledgable, rather than just inciting bull**** flamewars. You've done nothing here but post your own opinions and then flame others for doing the same thing. I don't think I am the one who needs vigilance. Please keep your ego in check in further discussions.

Question about the "purple wire" mod.

Bimmer says he/she did it and it works. I'd like to hear from other people that have done the same thing.

Have you had good luck with doing it?

I'd like to find a way to disable it without cutting. Maybe detaching the wire (un-soldering) from the console. You never know when you might have to take the car in to get the A/C fixed. That could be a reason for Subaru to deny me warranty work on it.

If you were to rewire your car, and them something went wrong, then yes, SOA would have a legitimate reason for denying you. If you wanted to though, I imagine it wouldn't be all that difficult to do correctly. Perhaps Bimmer guy can explain it to you a little better in an email/PM or with a new thread in the interior/exterior/electronics forum. Document it well and you might even get it posted on ScoobyMods.com.

Actually, I think the purple-wire mod is already on Scoobymods.com, if it's not, kastle should post it...

There ARE other ways to do the mod without cutting the purple wire. Basically there's a switch on the back of the right hand HVAC knob so that if you turn it to defrost, then it activates the A/C. Cutting the purple wire cuts off the switch, but there are ways to more cleverly disable the switch — I think you can unscrew it and turn it around so the knob doesn't trip it anymore.

I got the instructions from nasioc.com (which used to be i-club.com). Do a search there, and there's a handful of guys who have done it.


Let me disagree with our august moderator, again. Doing this shouldn't void your warranty. 1. Cutting a wire doesn't constitute "rewiring the car" and 2. most mechanics looking at a blown A/C compressor or Freon leak won't even bother to look behind the dash at the HVAC wiring, and even if they did, then 3. SoA would have to prove that cutting the wire somehow led to the failure.

Have a nice day,

Bimmer

I cut the wire today. I didn't do it underneath the HVAC unit, but on top where I can easily strip and re-attach the wire if needed.


Works great. No AC unless I want to turn it on. I'll just have to remember to run it every once in a while during winter. I've heard its better for the AC if you run it periodically, even in winter.

Originally posted by Kuth678
I've heard its better for the AC if you run it periodically, even in winter.

This is true. It's a good idea to run it every month or two to circulate the oil and keep the compressor lubed.

Um yeah didnt any of you notice how the guy that posted first was asking about clutch shudder and not some a/c problem or some guys silly user name?....so why dont you all stop the stupidity and help this guy out.

No prob man. They helped me out with the clutch shudder topic. Basically the 03 and 04 cars don't have it. Not sure how they got on the subject of BAN SUVS username. But the AC question was also mine.

BTW I like BAN SUVS username ;) I only wish I thought of putting that on my license plate :D

Thanks dude. :)