Well,

I have been into the dealer four times for this concern. They now have scheduled a meeting for me with the regional service rep. for our area for the beginning of next month.

It all started with the warmer weather. I was dropping a friend off at his house and when I pulled out of his neighborhood I accellerated away at aobut 10lbs of boost. The transmission shifted at 5K, BUT it only dropped 500 rpm or so and held it there for about a second where it drug down to about 3.5k and then you could feel the actual shift.

I can duplicate this on hot days almost without fail. It only does it at shift points of 4.5k up to 5k. Full throttle shifts are firm and positive. Also lower throttle shifts are firm. It ONLY does this in the 1-2 shift. I have changed my tranny fluid (old was fine).

I have had it with this problem. The dealer says that it may be a normal characteristic of the 4eat. I disagree because the vehicle didn't do it for the first 8000 miles of its life (it has 9900 on it now).

I am running out of options as far as service goes. Sonce I have an open issue with the regional guy, no matter where I go I will still have to deal with him (unless I drive 1000 miles away).

Does anyone else experience this? I am really tired of feeling like I am hurting my car while driving it. I expressed my concern to the dealer in that IF the transmission is indeed slipping, then I am just doing damage to it by driving it (which they encourage). IF they actually find the problem and fix it (without swapping trannies), then I am stuck with worn clutch packs.

I dont beat this car. I dont race this car. I bought the extended warranty for Gods sakes. The only 'mods' I have are the SPT cat-back and a bost gauge and it will stay this way.

All I want is my car fixed. Does anyone have any ideas on what it may be?

It's a valve body issue.

The 4EAT uses direct clutch shifting, so one clutch pack has to disengage before another engages. Your timing is off. It sounds as if you're engaging one clutch before the others let go, thus the "hang up" while shifting. Once the low clutch lets go, then you actually finish dropping RPM.

It is NOT a characteristic of a 4EAT.. trust me, I know.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

It's a valve body issue.

The 4EAT uses direct clutch shifting, so one clutch pack has to disengage before another engages. Your timing is off. It sounds as if you're engaging one clutch before the others let go, thus the "hang up" while shifting. Once the low clutch lets go, then you actually finish dropping RPM.

It is NOT a characteristic of a 4EAT.. trust me, I know.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com


Thanks for the quick reply... I have read up about the 4eat on the endwrench website. Isn't the low clutch and the 2-4 brake engaged in second gear? (and just the low clutch by itself in first?).

So it appears that maybe just there is an issue with the 2-4 brake getting pressure sent to it... Wonder if its line pressure itself (doubt it becasue of the firm full throttle shifts) or the duty solenoid, shift solenoid (first one or 'A'), or the actual shift valve (shift valve A).

Look at the following http://endwrench.com/images/pdfs/4EAatPh2Win04.pdf

This is where I am refrencing from... I would think that if its the pressure solenoid then all shifts would be affected, so that leaves me with either the shift solenoid or the shift valve.

Correct, which boils back to a valve body issue.

Jorge (RiftsWRX)
www.ProjectWRX.com

off topic heat but still 4eat question.....

my tranny is alsays hot as h3ll and you can smell it too....i dont run the heck out of it ,...just normal driving.....any thoughts..

suby dealler said its normal for a/t