Please help-Strange trans/electronic problem.
15 May 2013, 07:44 PM
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Please help-Strange trans/electronic problem.
Hi. Been gone for a while but hoping someone here knows what my problem is. I have a '97 Legacy,Outback,2.5 auto not turbo. The car will sometimes not shift up into second. No symptoms like mechanical trouble. Just no shift. If I turn off the ignition off and back on quickly it will shift up properly and be fine for a while. Other times it will not shift down into first when I come to a stop. It could try to start out in any gear but if I shift with the shift lever it will shift down. Sometimes it will make shifts up or down without reason. The gear position sensor (neutral safety switch) does not show up as a problem on a scan.
Other info;
This happened once before. On the advice of a trans shop I changed the gear position sensor(neutral safety switch). The car would not start when I was finished and my regular mechanic repaired a theoretically unrelated cracked wire in the ignition wiring. It was fine for several months then started shifting strangely again.
Recently I took it to the mechanic and he said that he could not find any faults or any reason for this problem. He gave up and sent me to a transmission shop. The trans guy ( a good one) said that it could not be that neutral safety switch if there was no fault and that it must be electronic because resetting the system (off and on) makes it go away. He sent me to a car electronics specialist who is so far unable to figure it out. Is mine the only one that does this? Any idea what does it? I know I am in trouble when the third mechanics shop in a row can't even figure it out!
Rob
Other info;
This happened once before. On the advice of a trans shop I changed the gear position sensor(neutral safety switch). The car would not start when I was finished and my regular mechanic repaired a theoretically unrelated cracked wire in the ignition wiring. It was fine for several months then started shifting strangely again.
Recently I took it to the mechanic and he said that he could not find any faults or any reason for this problem. He gave up and sent me to a transmission shop. The trans guy ( a good one) said that it could not be that neutral safety switch if there was no fault and that it must be electronic because resetting the system (off and on) makes it go away. He sent me to a car electronics specialist who is so far unable to figure it out. Is mine the only one that does this? Any idea what does it? I know I am in trouble when the third mechanics shop in a row can't even figure it out!
Rob
23 May 2013, 10:24 PM
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Hi
Although nobody here had any ideas I thought I would let you guys know just in case anybody ran across this again. I took it to an electronics specialist. He called and told me that he could not duplicate the problem and he did an exorcism (I think he was joking). His theory was that there was blockage in a passage in the trans itself which failed to actuate a switch or release it. This was causing the computer to shift wrong. Turning it off and then on again reset the computer but did not fix the basic problem. It is possible that the fairly long drive to his shop moved the blockage. He expects it to return again someday.
I have had no problem since. I did add some Seafoam Trans cleaner to it and will change the fluid or have it flushed. We shall see. I will add to the post if it reappears.
Rob
Although nobody here had any ideas I thought I would let you guys know just in case anybody ran across this again. I took it to an electronics specialist. He called and told me that he could not duplicate the problem and he did an exorcism (I think he was joking). His theory was that there was blockage in a passage in the trans itself which failed to actuate a switch or release it. This was causing the computer to shift wrong. Turning it off and then on again reset the computer but did not fix the basic problem. It is possible that the fairly long drive to his shop moved the blockage. He expects it to return again someday.
I have had no problem since. I did add some Seafoam Trans cleaner to it and will change the fluid or have it flushed. We shall see. I will add to the post if it reappears.
Rob
24 May 2013, 05:25 PM
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In this case the mechanic and the electrical shop both did check it with the regular code reader but both said there was nothing, probably because it reset when turned on and off. If it happens again I can check it while it is still happening this way.
Thanks Again.
24 May 2013, 06:31 PM
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The "Power" light indicates transmission codes. The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the transmission.
Power light is on the bottom edge of the dash clocks with all the other warning lights on the JDM Legacy GTB. (Though not sure if your n/a will have this lamp)
To perform the self diag test for EXISTING problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to D and
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector level to "2" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
To perform the self diag test for PREVIOUS problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to "1" and -
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "2" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "D" and trun ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
Fault codes
Trouble
Code Item
11 Duty solenoid A
12 Duty solenoid B
13 Shift solenoid 3
14 Shift solenoid 2
15 Shift solenoid 1
21 ATF temp sensor
22 Atmospheric sensor
23 Engine revolution signal
24 Duty solenoid C
25 Engine torque control signal
31 Throttle sensor
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2
Hope this helps!
Turning ignition on/ off is just from second position 'ACC' to 'ON' (when dash lights come on, - not actually starting the engine.)
Hopefully you have checked that the trans fluid is ok, and that the levels are correct, (checked with engine running- in park-), good luck sorting this.
Power light is on the bottom edge of the dash clocks with all the other warning lights on the JDM Legacy GTB. (Though not sure if your n/a will have this lamp)
To perform the self diag test for EXISTING problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to D and
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector level to "2" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
To perform the self diag test for PREVIOUS problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to "1" and -
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "2" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "D" and trun ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
Fault codes
Trouble
Code Item
11 Duty solenoid A
12 Duty solenoid B
13 Shift solenoid 3
14 Shift solenoid 2
15 Shift solenoid 1
21 ATF temp sensor
22 Atmospheric sensor
23 Engine revolution signal
24 Duty solenoid C
25 Engine torque control signal
31 Throttle sensor
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2
Hope this helps!
Turning ignition on/ off is just from second position 'ACC' to 'ON' (when dash lights come on, - not actually starting the engine.)
Hopefully you have checked that the trans fluid is ok, and that the levels are correct, (checked with engine running- in park-), good luck sorting this.
28 May 2013, 03:26 PM
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Thank you very very much. This will be invaluable when it does it next time! I am going to run through this later today just to see what I can find.
Yes. It has fluid and gear oil. This is my second trans. I never had a trans that used oil and fluid both before. The gear oil dipstick is well hidden. I never say it. Oddly enough my regular mechanic back home never checked it either, even though he did change the fluid twice for me. Just over a year ago I heard a CLANG!
Then I heard a bump bang bang and pulled over. There were a lot of pieces inside the trans. 
Now I check it often.
Rob
Yes. It has fluid and gear oil. This is my second trans. I never had a trans that used oil and fluid both before. The gear oil dipstick is well hidden. I never say it. Oddly enough my regular mechanic back home never checked it either, even though he did change the fluid twice for me. Just over a year ago I heard a CLANG!
Then I heard a bump bang bang and pulled over. There were a lot of pieces inside the trans. Now I check it often.Rob
The "Power" light indicates transmission codes. The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the transmission.
Power light is on the bottom edge of the dash clocks with all the other warning lights on the JDM Legacy GTB. (Though not sure if your n/a will have this lamp)
To perform the self diag test for EXISTING problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to D and
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector level to "2" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
To perform the self diag test for PREVIOUS problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to "1" and -
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "2" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "D" and trun ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
Fault codes
Trouble
Code Item
11 Duty solenoid A
12 Duty solenoid B
13 Shift solenoid 3
14 Shift solenoid 2
15 Shift solenoid 1
21 ATF temp sensor
22 Atmospheric sensor
23 Engine revolution signal
24 Duty solenoid C
25 Engine torque control signal
31 Throttle sensor
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2
Hope this helps!
Turning ignition on/ off is just from second position 'ACC' to 'ON' (when dash lights come on, - not actually starting the engine.)
Hopefully you have checked that the trans fluid is ok, and that the levels are correct, (checked with engine running- in park-), good luck sorting this.
Power light is on the bottom edge of the dash clocks with all the other warning lights on the JDM Legacy GTB. (Though not sure if your n/a will have this lamp)
To perform the self diag test for EXISTING problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to D and
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector level to "2" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
To perform the self diag test for PREVIOUS problems
1) Warm up engine by driving at speeds greater than 12mph.
2) Stop vehicle and turn ignition switch OFF.
3) Turn ignition switch ON and make sure POWER indicator lamp comes on.
4) Turn ignition switch OFF.
5) Move selector lever to "1" and -
6) Turn ignition switch ON.
7) Move selector lever to "2" and turn ignition switch OFF.
8) Move selector lever to "3" and turn ignition switch ON.
9) Move selector lever to "D" and trun ignition switch OFF.
10) Partially depress accelerator pedal (to turn idle switch off).
11) Check code as displayed on POWER light. Blinking once every 1/4sec is normal.
Fault codes
Trouble
Code Item
11 Duty solenoid A
12 Duty solenoid B
13 Shift solenoid 3
14 Shift solenoid 2
15 Shift solenoid 1
21 ATF temp sensor
22 Atmospheric sensor
23 Engine revolution signal
24 Duty solenoid C
25 Engine torque control signal
31 Throttle sensor
32 Vehicle speed sensor 1
33 Vehicle speed sensor 2
Hope this helps!
Turning ignition on/ off is just from second position 'ACC' to 'ON' (when dash lights come on, - not actually starting the engine.)
Hopefully you have checked that the trans fluid is ok, and that the levels are correct, (checked with engine running- in park-), good luck sorting this.
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