Mechanical jellies: What could possibly be causing this automatic transmission problem?

Word: Transmission
Meaning: Expensive.

Best to take care of it while it’s getting worse, before it completely breaks.

Try replacing the transmission fluid and filter (both cheap, even DIY if you want); if that doesn’t solve it warm up your credit card and get the bands checked. The price for adjusting/replacing the bands varies but I wouldn’t call it “inexpensive”. There are other things beyond that, torque converter for example, but fluid/filter/bands are probably a worthwhile starting point.

Good Luck!

Oh, and cost aside, don’t wait on taking care of transmission issues. Better $ now when you can make the decision on your terms than after it conks out and you’re stuck.

Thanks @wonderingwhy I’ll definitely start with that step and keep my fingers crossed.

Cheap FIX – - – check is to see if the fluid is LOW. Use the owner’s manual to find and check level.

There are only two things the average person (read “anybody without a full repair shop with specialized tools and training”) can do with an automatic transmission.

1) Make sure the fluid isn’t low.
My car sometimes gets a little rough and sluggish to shift when it gets low. It doesn’t happen often, but my old Toyota loses a little fluid sometimes. I had an old Ford that actually had a leak, so that rig did it about every two weeks. Same symptoms, same problem.
However, you said it was full, so that brings us to…

2) Take it in for a flush.
A transmission flush is the only thing (other than adding fluid) that doesn’t cost major money. I’ve had to do that to two cars because their ATF was the color of motor oil and smelled like burnt toast. Flushing removes a lot of crap, and can also help find out if there are other issues. If the old fluid has metal shavings in it, well, that qualifies as “other issues”.

Thanks for the information @jerv. Yes, it is full (when the engine is warm) but it doesn’t look dirty on the dipstick. I’m getting very concerned about cost now, dammit.

@Blueroses Was it checked with the engine running at idle?

@Tropical_Willie Yes, I followed the instructions in the manual for checking the level.

Find a friendly Transmission specialist for imported vehicles. Best of luck. ( My Ford truck use to get cranky about shifting when low on fluid.)

Try a flush. It may be just a congealed lump of old fluid blocking a passage; the exact thing a flush is supposed to take care of. My first Toyota did that, and a flush fixed it right up.

I’ll hope for the best. Would you recommend a transmission specialist or a Subaru specialist? I have a good independent Sub mechanic I usually use.

This might help, as may this

It seems to be pretty common for a Subi :(

Thank you @jerv that’s really helpful! A lot of those posts sound exactly like what I’m experiencing. Looks like I’m off for a flush and filter change tomorrow. I’ll post an update. Thanks again :-)

Computer has either shorted out or you may be low on transmission fluid.

Pay $50 and have a transmission expert analyze your problem. The longer you wait, the more damage you may do to your cars transmission.

Update: I went to the Subaru guru who said he sees this problem at least 3 times a week. It’s a belt that needs replacement and he’ll flush the transmission and change the filter at the same time. Sounds like he could do it in his sleep, it’s so common. $175 for the whole thing. Yay!

Update, part II: Looks like the transmission is on its way to failure, but the servicing should give me at least another year to save for a replacement. Just wanted to share my mechanic’s advice for extending the tranny’s life. He said do all driving under 45 mph in gear 3 and don’t hit D (overdrive) unless you’re on the highway for extended periods.

When I blew the transmission in a Saturn, they wanted around $4,800 to install a new one. Subaru charges more for their stuff, so it might actually fit the insurance industry’s definition of “totaled” as a low-mileage 2000 Outback in good condition (needs no repairs) goes for around $5,000.

Also, I don’t know about your needs, but if I can’t do 65 on the interstate, the car is useless to me; I use mine to commute to work, and any car that can’t…

I seem to recall a period around then where Subaru had all sorts of issues, like “glass gears” in the Impreza.

@jerv I really trust my mechanic. He specializes in Subaru and has nothing but rave reviews from satisfied customers. He quoted me $1000 for a completely rebuilt transmission. You’re right, a new one would be out of the value range for my car but otherwise, it’s in great mechanical and physical condition.

There’s no problem going as fast as I want on the highway. It’s pretty comfortable at 80mph. He just said save wear on the transmission by staying out of overdrive unless I’m on the highway.

With that Saturn, I wound up going elsewhere for a rebuilt myself so only paid $2,800. If you can get a rebuilt transmission for $1,000 then you are doing better than I did. Then again those price included eight hours of labor; I doubt that $1,000 estimate does since the average I’ve seen is $1,079 for the part alone. What is the labor estimate?

Sorry, I misread about the fourth gear.

Yeah, you’re right again. That’s for the part alone. It’s $65/hour labor additional. He said generally it tops out at about $1800 for the rebuilt replacement but if all goes smoothly it could be less.
Subaru may be a lot more common in my part of the country (I’m pretty sure it’s the Official State Vehicle) so parts and labor are very available here but used models for sale are scarce because nobody sells their old ones. They buy a new one and kids get the older models. :)

@Blueroses I loved my 82 Subaru, and would still be driving it, but for a woman texting hit me head on.
Those cars are built well!