I'm trying to help my sister out. It's an 01 with an auto tranny. It will engange forward or reverse when cold. When the trans is warm it is reluctant to engage forward. With a little rev it seems to help. This seems like a pump or pump seal issue?

I searched and found a thread that mentions a lag test that can be done at the dealer. Anyone know what the problem is, it sounds reasonably common. The thread talks about the dealer telling them to wait after shifting into forward. I agree with waiting a couple seconds on any car with an auto, but to be warned by the dealer? Something tells me there's more to this issue than just a tranny that needs to be 'rebuilt'.

I am also seeing threads about using a 30 amp fuse in a specific slot under the hood to disengage awd and make it only front wheel drive. People are talking about the tranny wearing out faster than usual because most people are driving on non slip surfaces 99% of the time. Is this wear in any way related to the problem I am describing? AWD solenoids have been mentioned wearing out after a few years from new? I don't see a direct connection with bands or whatever they use to engage the forward gears not working, but I am not familiar with a Subaru AWD tranny.

Being quoted $1900 if there is no hard parts damage. That's pretty steep especially if a full tear down may not be needed.


Thanks

Chris

 

I just had a Chrysler 300C at my shop with the same problem, no one ever checked the fluid which would be easily over looked by mechanics once and a while considering it had just under gone a tranny service. Check the fluid, otherwise all you can really do is just hope it is an easier fix than a rebuild or a tear-down. Good Luck!

 

It was checked before taken to two shops. Subaru dealer serviced the trans and naturally filled and checked the fluid. Vehicle has 117K miles.

 

Trans was rebuilt and seems fine now, though it shifts too soft for its own good like most factory spec automatics I come across.

I have heard of placing a fuse in an open slot named (FWD TCS off) in this car to shut down the all wheel drive and potentially extending the transaxle life when driven mostly on grippy surfaces. Is this true? The owner's manual did not come with the car. What is the fuse amperage rating for this slot?


Thanks

Chris

 

The amperage rating for that fuse is 15A, and as far as driving for extended periods of time in FWD mode, I would sincerely advise AGAINST it. That mode is only for emergency use, when your spare and your other tires are mismatched in rolling circumference.

Best case scenario, you have to replace an entire set of tires when you finally do want to re-engage the AWD system. Worst case scenario? Well, you'll be looking at a much larger bill than the $19xx quoted above.

For more information, try browsing www.subaruforester.org (after you've registered). You can post your questions there, and get answers from owners.

 

Thanks