Auto stuck in 3rd gear?

[ben-jamminn]

My mate has a outback wagon and the 'power' light is flashing and it won't change out of 3rd gear..

Any ideas?

[Guest]

its broken and needs to go to a dealer?

-smurff

[ben-jamminn]

I was thinking more along the lines of anyone had it before and know what the fault is

[Guest]

will it change out of third if you move the shifter to one of the other gears?

-smurff

[Guest boostcut]

sounds like a transmission limp mode. mercedes have a limp mode that does a similar thing, but don't quote me on this

[Guest boostin]

 ben-jamminn said:

My mate has a outback wagon and the 'power' light is flashing and it won't change out of 3rd gear..

Any ideas?

What year?

[Guest boostin]

Try this, it *may* work...

 

These instructions should work for any Legacy from 90-94, or ones that have the power light.

The "Power" light indicates transmission codes. The following self diagnosis will show any fault codes for the transmission.

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 turn manual switch ON.

6) Turn ignition switch ON.

7) Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch OFF.

8) Move selector level to "2" and turn manual switch ON.

9) Move selector lever to "1" and turn manual 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 turn manual switch ON.

6) Turn ignition switch ON.

7) Move selector lever to "2" and turn manual switch OFF.

8) Move selector lever to "3" and turn manual switch ON.

9) Move selector lever to "D" and trun manual 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.

Trouble Code Table

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

[log1call]

From the diagnostic manual...

"If shift solenoids #1 or #2 malfunction, the TCU

deactivates the other. This results in either 3rd gear or

Reverse (when selected).".

Manual is availiable here... http://cid-cad6b9cf327651dd.office.live.com/browse.aspx/.Public

It's called 4EAT diagnosis

[Guest keltik]

Autos just sit in 3rd if you lose power to the TCU. Easy thing to check if the power light isnt on or flashing.

[log1call]

Well there you go then. See if you can get the trouble codes, if you get no responce from the tcu they you have lost power to it, if you do get a solenoid code then there is your problem.

Solenoids can be done in place "easily".