sunny5280 Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I'm experiencing hard shifts from 1st to 2nd gear in my 1997 Outback. Shifts to / from any other gear are fairly smooth. It's just the 1st to 2nd shift which is abrupt. It primarily happens at low speed / low rpms. I recently had the transmission fluid changed and it appears to have become more pronounced afterwards. I changed the fluid as I had no idea when it was last changed and the fluid was slightly low (I posted a thread on this a few months ago right before I had the fluid changed). Except for the abrupt 1st to 2nd gear shift the transmission seems to be working as expected. I'm not overly concerned about this issue however if there's something simple I can do to address it I'd prefer to address it. Especially if not taking action could lead to transmission failure. 1997 Outback 2.5l, automatic transmission, 171K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkeyposeur Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 Did you do a drain and fill or a complete flush? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 The 1-2 Shift is like that in any Phase 1 4EAT. The hard you accelerate, the smoother the shift. Did you have the fluid flushed? Or drained and filled? In order to proper replace all the fluid, it must be done over 3 or 4 drain and fills. Older, higher mileage transmissions (170k is getting there) don't always take to well to flushes, or even drain and fills when it's never been touched before. Now, if you want, you can use this kit to correct the 1-2 shift http://www.transgo.com/products.php?prd=SK-RE4R01A&homeinclude=catalog&category_id=134&parent_id=40&product_id=245&countdisplay=2&start=0&addcountview=Yes And then completely drain and refill the transmission with fresh fluid from the Subaru dealer itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 Thanks guys. I believe it was a drain and fill (I did not perform the work myself). I know the 1st to 2nd shift was abrupt but I don't remember it being as hard as it is now. It just seems so jarring right now. My parents currently own a 2002 Forrester with AT so the next time I'm visiting I'll take it for a spin as a comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 The Fozzy will havea Phase 2 4EAT. The 1-2 shift is smooth as butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 The Fozzy will havea Phase 2 4EAT. The 1-2 shift is smooth as butter. What's involved with installing the kit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 It's probably not something you'd want to do on your own if you're not familiar with working on a transmission valve body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 12, 2013 Author Share Posted November 12, 2013 It's probably not something you'd want to do on your own if you're not familiar with working on a transmission valve body. Thanks. That's the kind of effort I suspected. Given it's normal I'll probably pass on this as my Outback is just a run around car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 The 1-2 jolt can get pretty violent as the transmission ages. It is "normal" and mine has been doing it for years and has yet to fall out from underneath the car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 The 1-2 jolt can get pretty violent as the transmission ages. It is "normal" and mine has been doing it for years and has yet to fall out from underneath the car. Thanks for the confirmation. It's not a big issue but I wanted to be sure I wasn't ignoring a symptom of a problem which if ignored would cause further damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 The worst part is people riding in the car who will insist something is seriously wrong... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 The 1-2 jolt can get pretty violent as the transmission ages. It is "normal" and mine has been doing it for years and has yet to fall out from underneath the car. Thanks for the confirmation. It's not a big issue but I wanted to be sure I wasn't ignoring a symptom of a problem which if ignored would cause further damage. The 1-2 Shift is like that in any Phase 1 4EAT. The hard you accelerate, the smoother the shift. nah, don't thank me. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 My reply had more words, and is clearly superior to yours, so obviously I deserve more thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 ^^^ How's that ^^^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Oh damn. I was just looking at the quotes you had posted. You actually had more than I did in your original post. Well in that case, I'm just going to go with, "I am awesome, and you are not." Suck it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 nah, don't thank me. lol You were thanked twice: "Thanks guys." and: "Thanks. That's the kind of effort I suspected." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 "Thanks guys." I attributed this one to generalnessness... "Thanks. That's the kind of effort I suspected." And this was to something else I had said. But really though, I'm just messing around. Sometimes I get bored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 13, 2013 Author Share Posted November 13, 2013 I attributed this one to generalnessness... Well, there were only two people who had responded at the time I made it. I didn't see the need to thank each person individually. And this was to something else I had said. And it was an acknowledgment of my appreciation for your response. But really though, I'm just messing around. Sometimes I get bored. No problem. Just want you to know that I did appreciate your input. People such as yourself are what make these boards helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverone Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 You guys are so funny, I drove my son's 98 LGT for about a year before I gave it to him it had the 4eat if I recall before he totaled it it was shifting pretty smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 Thanks so much for that additional insight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 13, 2013 Share Posted November 13, 2013 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarmerson Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 My AT in 95 Legacy L only shifts hard 1 - 2 when it's cold especially in cold weather. I let the car warm up a few minutes then easy driving until the temp is at normal operation and the problem is non-existent. It only has ~77k on it though... The only reason I look at other peoples cars is so I can see my Subie in the reflection - Carver Snell Check out 2nd Gen Legacy Enthusiast & Resource Directory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stang70Fastback Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 It only has ~77k on it though... All in good time, my friend... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunny5280 Posted November 14, 2013 Author Share Posted November 14, 2013 My AT in 95 Legacy L only shifts hard 1 - 2 when it's cold especially in cold weather. I let the car warm up a few minutes then easy driving until the temp is at normal operation and the problem is non-existent. It only has ~77k on it though... The problem doesn't appear to change with temperature. It's odd because sometimes it shifts hard and other times not. As Kennyfvholla said it does appear to be related to engine speed / acceleration. As he noted it's less abrupt under hard acceleration. I was surprised at 5-10 MPH it shifted so hard. Anyway if it's normal and won't significantly accelerate the demise of the transmission I'm fine with it. It's my run around car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kennyfvholla Posted November 14, 2013 Share Posted November 14, 2013 Yeah, I really wouldn't worry about it too much. For all the money I'd just look around for an inexpensive replacement for a few hundred dollars and set it to the side in case you ever need it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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