Old skool legacy question

AxeWhlder · 07-03-2002, 09:30 AM

Ok, I have a 90 legacy with 110k on it. Ran fine until this morning. The transmission seems to be in limp mode. No matter what I'm in on the auto it wont shift past first gear.

For instance, if I have it in drive after it gets past 3k under normal acceleration it starts to slip and it wont engage on a higher gear. If I have it in "3" it'll just stick in first.

If I'm cruising in drive and it slips, I hammer the gas and it catches for a split second but then slip again.

I didnt get a chance to check my fluids because I have to make a road trip today and I'm going to borrow my mom's car.

Any suggestions?

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subarurabbit · 07-03-2002, 09:33 AM

go to dealer and get remanufactured tranny.

AxeWhlder · 07-03-2002, 09:44 AM

Sorry, I hit the new post button instead of reply. Anyway, there's no other option besides buying a reman tranny?

Keep in mind I only paid 1500.00 for the car and I'd prefer a cheap fix.

DLC · 07-03-2002, 10:04 AM

You could get a used one, but Subaru autos with more than 100k miles are a shot in the dark.

I swapped a 5MT into my turbo wagon, no regrets and it wasn't terribly difficult.

Dave

AxeWhlder · 07-03-2002, 10:50 AM

I actually considered that. I always prefer a 5 speed but this one was the right price at the right time. What are all the parts you need to do a 5-spd swap (besides the tranny of course)

Thanks.

ciper · 07-03-2002, 01:03 PM

subarurabbit: That was one of the crappiest responses I have ever heard. Have you ever priced a transmission from the dealer? It would literally cost him the same amount to buy another car of exact year and mileage.

AxeWhlder: Id suggest a used low mileage trannsmission from a japanese car.

I just installed a 1995 impreza transmission into my 1990 legacy with great results.

DLC · 07-03-2002, 01:10 PM

Axe: Here's my writeup, on my page:

http://www.xmission.com/~dac/library...on/convert.htm

It's involved, as any type of swap is, but it's really pretty straightforward as the parts are very interchangeable.

Keep in mind that your car can use the weaker cable tranny from an early Legacy or Impreza, and you should be able to get it cheaper as well.

If you have the time, some good tools, and patience, it could probably be done in less than 3 days.

Dave

AxeWhlder · 07-03-2002, 05:48 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Gave me a few things to think about.

Anyway, I just took the car for a ride again and guess what? The damn thing shifts smoothy now and runs just like it used to. I didnt do anything different than run through the gears a few times 1st-2nd-3rd type shifting. I figured "what the hell" and put it in drive with no problems at all. Slipping is gone.

Which brings me back to the sensor question. I know sometimes with starters or other electrical components there's a clamp of some sort that can come loose and foul things up in extreme weather. It's been hot as hell here lately and I'm wondering if that could've caused something.

ciper · 07-03-2002, 06:52 PM

Did you check the fluid level?

Also when was the last time the fluid was replaced?

Id say start finding a transmission now, wouldnt you rather do it on your leasure instead of being broke down in the middle of no where when it finally gives out.

AxeWhlder · 07-03-2002, 07:43 PM

The fluid level is good but it's black as crap and smells like it was burning. I'm guessing it hasnt been changed for at least 20-30k. I only put 9k on the car since I had it and the previous owner was good about maintaining the car. He had it since it was new.

If I take it to Pep Boys they're flush it for 109.00 and put fluid in it. To be honest I really dont want to put much cash into this car because it's getting up there in mileage and I'm sure it's going to start giving me more issues.

ciper · 07-03-2002, 08:03 PM

Jeese, you dont want to spend 100 on the car because it has 110k miles on it?! I bought mine with MORE miles on it to start!

Honestly if the fluid is that badly burnt its most likely the transmission is slipping alot causing extra heat to the fluid. Either that or the last owner didnt ever change the fluid.

AxeWhlder · 07-04-2002, 02:08 PM

heheh. Well I bought the car just as a beater. I didnt want to put that much cash into it. What I'm saying is that if the tranny is pretty much on it's way out I'm not going to bother putting 109 into it.

07-03-2002, 09:30 AM	#1
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	Old skool legacy question Ok, I have a 90 legacy with 110k on it. Ran fine until this morning. The transmission seems to be in limp mode. No matter what I'm in on the auto it wont shift past first gear. For instance, if I have it in drive after it gets past 3k under normal acceleration it starts to slip and it wont engage on a higher gear. If I have it in "3" it'll just stick in first. If I'm cruising in drive and it slips, I hammer the gas and it catches for a split second but then slip again. I didnt get a chance to check my fluids because I have to make a road trip today and I'm going to borrow my mom's car. Any suggestions? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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07-03-2002, 09:33 AM	#2
subarurabbit Scooby Guru Member#: 4083 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Reading, MA Vehicle: 2006 OBS SE regal blue	go to dealer and get remanufactured tranny.

07-03-2002, 09:44 AM	#3
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	Sorry, I hit the new post button instead of reply. Anyway, there's no other option besides buying a reman tranny? Keep in mind I only paid 1500.00 for the car and I'd prefer a cheap fix.

07-03-2002, 10:04 AM	#4
DLC out back Moderator Member#: 1964 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: 84XXX Vehicle: 01 BH Blue/Bronze	You could get a used one, but Subaru autos with more than 100k miles are a shot in the dark. I swapped a 5MT into my turbo wagon, no regrets and it wasn't terribly difficult. Dave

07-03-2002, 10:50 AM	#5
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	I actually considered that. I always prefer a 5 speed but this one was the right price at the right time. What are all the parts you need to do a 5-spd swap (besides the tranny of course) Thanks.

07-03-2002, 01:03 PM	#6
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	subarurabbit: That was one of the crappiest responses I have ever heard. Have you ever priced a transmission from the dealer? It would literally cost him the same amount to buy another car of exact year and mileage. AxeWhlder: Id suggest a used low mileage trannsmission from a japanese car. I just installed a 1995 impreza transmission into my 1990 legacy with great results.

07-03-2002, 01:10 PM	#7
DLC out back Moderator Member#: 1964 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: 84XXX Vehicle: 01 BH Blue/Bronze	Axe: Here's my writeup, on my page: http://www.xmission.com/~dac/library...on/convert.htm It's involved, as any type of swap is, but it's really pretty straightforward as the parts are very interchangeable. Keep in mind that your car can use the weaker cable tranny from an early Legacy or Impreza, and you should be able to get it cheaper as well. If you have the time, some good tools, and patience, it could probably be done in less than 3 days. Dave

07-03-2002, 05:48 PM	#8
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	Thanks for the suggestions guys. Gave me a few things to think about. Anyway, I just took the car for a ride again and guess what? The damn thing shifts smoothy now and runs just like it used to. I didnt do anything different than run through the gears a few times 1st-2nd-3rd type shifting. I figured "what the hell" and put it in drive with no problems at all. Slipping is gone. Which brings me back to the sensor question. I know sometimes with starters or other electrical components there's a clamp of some sort that can come loose and foul things up in extreme weather. It's been hot as hell here lately and I'm wondering if that could've caused something.

07-03-2002, 06:52 PM	#9
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	Did you check the fluid level? Also when was the last time the fluid was replaced? Id say start finding a transmission now, wouldnt you rather do it on your leasure instead of being broke down in the middle of no where when it finally gives out.

07-03-2002, 07:43 PM	#10
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	The fluid level is good but it's black as crap and smells like it was burning. I'm guessing it hasnt been changed for at least 20-30k. I only put 9k on the car since I had it and the previous owner was good about maintaining the car. He had it since it was new. If I take it to Pep Boys they're flush it for 109.00 and put fluid in it. To be honest I really dont want to put much cash into this car because it's getting up there in mileage and I'm sure it's going to start giving me more issues.

07-03-2002, 08:03 PM	#11
ciper Scooby Guru Member#: 15543 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: san francisco, ca Vehicle: 90BJ Legacy LS ABS AWD 946 Rio Red Jpn built	Jeese, you dont want to spend 100 on the car because it has 110k miles on it?! I bought mine with MORE miles on it to start! Honestly if the fluid is that badly burnt its most likely the transmission is slipping alot causing extra heat to the fluid. Either that or the last owner didnt ever change the fluid.

07-04-2002, 02:08 PM	#12
AxeWhlder Scooby Newbie Member#: 12299 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Wilkes-Barre, Pa Vehicle: 1990 Legacy L White	heheh. Well I bought the car just as a beater. I didnt want to put that much cash into it. What I'm saying is that if the tranny is pretty much on it's way out I'm not going to bother putting 109 into it.