Questions and Answers

A Shiftless Subaru

Q. Dearest last hope Sir: My Subaru has stopped shifting into 3rd just like "Another Shiftless Nissan." It runs great until I reach the point where it should shift into 3rd... but it doesn't. I have adjusted the brake band, checked the governor, downshift solenoid, transmission modulator, changed the fluid, cleaned the control module and taken out all the valves and cleaned them. The following is a quote from another person and about sums it up.

"The filter and fluid was changed and now there is first and second gears but not third. It can be shifted manually from first to second and works but then to third, NOT! In second it will shift to second from first and in drive it will shift from first to second then from second to third, no third gear again. Reverse is there. When in drive and it shifts from second to freewheel and while in freewheel it sounds as though there is a small air compressor running or a whinny noise. Anyone Help?"

I now know that the noise is the governor gear wearing down at an incredible rate, but I got a new gear and the second one is wearing down. The governor itself seams to operate fine as I push and look at it.

I have been told that 1st and 3rd gear are closely related and I should not have one w/o the other. Is my transmission awash? Or am I overlooking something?

1.8L
Automatic transmission
120,000
Carb
P/S - A/C - Cruise control
Rack and pinion steering

Thank you.

A. Like I've said before, I'm no transmission expert, but I do know there is not much relation to first and third gears in an automatic transmission. It sounds to me like it's either a control valve in the valve body or a bad third gear clutch pack. Neither of which is a DIY job. I would recommend taking it to a transmission shop and let them determine exactly where the problem lies.

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