Transmission solenoids?

[Idahobikergirl]

I've been told that the problem I'm having with my 92 is a "flare" between 2-3rd, but I'd describe it as a "soft-shift". Is that the same thing? If I drive moderately, it hangs between 2-3rd ( but doesn't slip) and will shift when I let off the gas, but if I drive aggressively it shifts fine. This isn't at all the same feeling I had in my first 92 SVX when the tranny gave out and this has been going on for a long time without any progression.

I've been told that it could be the tranny solenoids and that they come in a connected line of 5 that all need to be replaced. What exactly are the symptoms when the(a) solenoid goes out?

The TPS has been adjusted but not replaced. Could this also be a symptom of TPS failure?

Forgive me if these "facts" are a little off - I'm certainly not a mechanic - but I'm really, really hoping I don't need a new tranny (as everyone else who's owned a 92 hopes for).

Mary

[Trevor]

What you describe could not on the basis of good judgement, be attributed to solenoid valve defects, as has been suggested. It would appear to be more of a control function and to put your mind at rest, should not involve that which should be overly expensive.

The interesting fact is that you report normal operation when you drive aggressively, which is good news. Can you please be a little more specific in this regard, so that the symptoms can be narrowed somewhat?

Meantime don't panic.

[Earthworm]

I've been thinking about this issue and I think the 2-3 shift seems slow due to more things happening than either the 1-2 or 3-4 shifts. If these clutches/bands don't all engage/disengage at exactly the same time the shift takes longer.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to know how to really diagnose the problem but it's probably related to line pressure, band brake adjustment and/or worn clutch plates.

[dcarrb]

Originally Posted by Idahobikergirl

If I drive moderately, it hangs between 2-3rd ( but doesn't slip) and will shift when I let off the gas, but if I drive aggressively it shifts fine.

My teal has had a leisurely 2-3 shift for 40,000 miles. Seems much more pronounced under light throttle from a cold start. No hint of slippage, and hasn't gotten any worse, so I just keep driving.

dcb

[greggbzz]

My 92' does the same thing and has since I bought it. Never really bad, no slipage and it goes away when I drive it hard. After I just bought the car, I went to get it flushed at Ammaco, and the grumpy-butthead Scrantonite "mechanic " predicted transmission failure in 2 months! It's been serviced at the Subaru dealer twice now and they did not seem to think this was a big deal.

I've probabbly put 30-40K on the odometer since then. The lazy shift actually seemed to get better (or maybe I got used to it) and I stopped worring about it after a 5-6 months.

Recently, It started slipping noticeably in 2nd and it would not shift out of first when cold. I adjusted the break band to fix this, but the "lazy" 2nd-3rd shift remained. Oh well.

[Suby Fan]

you know i have noticed the same thing it kinda bumps you when it shifts