|
3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Hello,
Firstly I would like to apologize in advance if I make some grammar errors, as English is not my primary language and I am not using it regularly. So I am a new owner of a 1993 SVX. It is a beautiful car it is and so quiet and comfortable :-) Mileage is roughly 157,000 miles. No corrosion. Car is generally in very solid condition. Its from Germany. Before I bought the car, I knew about tranny issues, yet I must say, that I didn't expect that I would be dealing with this problem so soon. I have driven only 500 miles with this car and most of it was on the way home from the dealer. Before buying, with test drive completed, no such problem occurred. Symptoms: The SVX won't go into 3rd and 4th gear. In 1st gear, I must go to exactly to 3500rpm and above, in order to tranny change gear to 2nd. Also I must depress gas pedal, to make it shift. Otherwise, it would just stay in 1st gear and rev up. In some situations, when going around 15-30mph, after braking, clutch is slipping, so I have to rev the car a bit in order to accelerate. When I put shift lever to 3, car is acting like if it would be in neutral - after pressing gas pedal down, revs are going higher, but speed is not, it looks like clutch is slipping. I must be around 5000 rpm in order to make it accelerate. ATF on the tranny dipstick is still red, with only bit of brown. Its definitely not burnt, or black. When I tried self-diagnostics (power light) I got code 24, which is duty solenoid C... The other thing that bothering me is, that when I park the car and turn engine off (maybe even with engine on, I haven't tried it yet) I detect some sort of weird smell. First I thought it was from fresh paint on exhaust system, but as I already driven over 500 miles with the car, paint should have already burnt off, right ? It's sort of burnt plastic smell... Could it have any relationship to tranny issue ? In case it would help anybody, to determine my problem, I can gladly elaborate on problems, or make video of drive. Thank you very much for any help you can offer - it will be very appreciated, With regards Filip |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
I suspect you have a failed transmission. its very unfortunate but it happens with these cars. In Europe you have the VTD transmissions but there are a few of the ACT transmissions so first you need to determine which you have. If you have the VTD a stock replacement if it can be found is usually ok if you just want to drive it reasonably.
If you can find one a 4.44 geared VTD would make a good upgrade. Or Manual swap if that is an option for you. If you have one of the ACT transmissions (like we got in the United States) find a 4.44 geared trans don't even bother with the stock replacement. |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Quote:
Filip, I have referred your inquiries and this thread to my good friend, Trevor Sheffield in New Zealand. He used to be here on the network and is very familiar with the SVX transmission and always has great advice to give. So please listen to this reply from him and trust his judgement. He said: Your transmission has defaulted to the "get you home" or “ limp” mode, because the TCU has detected a fault and that fault is very likely a lack of line pressure. Do not replace anything or do anything, until you have the line pressure tested, as is instructed within the manuals. Do not drive the car or if you do, do not apply full power/throttle as the lack of line pressure will be causing the clutches to slip and overheat, hence the smell. The fault could be no more than the failure of solenoid "A", which is not hugely expensive to fix and does not require the removal of the transmission. . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Hello,
92 SVX: Country of origin is Germany, so i suppose it will be ACT. I would like to stay stock, tranny-wise, but definitely put all recommended mods in it. I would be curious, which option is more durable: stock 4.44, or modded 3.54 ? Also are there some differences across phase 1 4.44, in terms of durability, or better said: is there some preferred donor car ? svxcess: Thank you very much for asking your friend. His answer gave me hope that it could be not that bad after all. The thing is, that for one week a have been looking for an SVX service manual. I have only found that 92 manual on this site, but there, i have not found any pages dealing with line pressure, including AT transmission page. Are there instructions somewhere? I don't have a pressure meter, so i have to go to a car dealer for service, but I would like to give them exact instructions, how to do it properly. Because from services (even Subarus) I have contacted myself, I cannot say, I could feel much of confidence, after I said them, i have an SVX :lol: :cool: Thank you. Best regards, Filip |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Quote:
Hi Filip, Your transmission is the 4ACT, the same as the US version. The problem is the high clutch that has failed, it is used in 3rd and 4th. the problem won't be the “A” solenoid on the line pressure or it would not have 1st, 2nd, or reverse gears. The high clutch failed mainly due to the high 3.54 final drive ratio that the US cars had, so it will last better with a lower ratio like the 4.44. Your best choice is to do a 4.44 swap from an Outback of about 97, do a search for the 4.44 swap. Harvey . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Hello Harvey,
1) Ouch! are you 100% sure? So, if I can shift to 1st, 2nd and R, I can safely exclude solenoid A option? It's hard for me to believe this, as first 500 miles, the tranny was absolutely OK - nicely shifting in all 4 gears. No clutch slipping. Only thing worth mentioning, is that it had that weird smell from the beginning - which we thought was from fresh exhaust paint. And that, if I was driving uphill, at let's say 40-60 mph, tranny was struggling a bit to shift from 3rd to 4th gear. Back then, I had a feeling, it is mainly about getting used to and understand the car's TCU. 2) If I understand it correctly, with the 4.44 in, the car will be faster and more durable, but - and that is more important to me - will shift changes still be as gentle and imperceptible as they are in the 3.54? Also will the stock 3.54 Economy mode operate properly? If there is one thing, the stock 3.54 is really doing ine. It is creating the illusion that you are not driving car, but piloting a plane. Thank you, Filip . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
.
Seems like this as an aspect of marketing hype, rather than good engineering... “Look, you are getting a four speed transmission.” . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Quote:
Yes, they all need the same solenoid and line pressure. 2) If i understand it correctly, with 4.44 in, the car will be faster and more durable, but - and that is more important to me - will the shift changes still be as gentle and imperceptible as they are in the 3.54? Also will the stock 3.54 Economy mode operate properly? I don't know about being faster; you would have to ask somebody that has done the swap. Mine is a VTD with the lower gearing, but it will be more durable, and yes, the same TCU controls the 4.44 gearbox the same as the standard, and the Economy mode still works. . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Fiiip,
You can be sure that your English is excellent. (1) First, second and reverse ratios transmit the least torque and this is exactly why the transmission is restricted to these ratios when it goes into in limp mode as they will be less liable to clutch slip at lower line pressures. As a result the transmission can be driven in limp mode while being less liable to damage through the upper ratios slipping. (2) With a 4.4 final drive ratio the car will have better acceleration, but will not reach as high a maximum speed under ideal conditions. Importantly you will lose the low engine speed, at high road speed, cruising feature built into the SVX and which makes it a true GT car. You indicate that you value it as GT car. It is surely obvious that the line pressure should be checked before deciding to replace the transmission. If the engine was overheating would it not be sensible to check that the water pump is operating, before deciding to replace the radiator? Cost of a belt or pulley as opposed to the cost of a radiator. |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
svxcess and oab_au thank you for your answers!
You know, this starting to be interesting. All the time, I could not believe my car being basically 90:10 FWD car... In corners, especially in mid-range speeds, it feels like on rails. I had 00 Celica VVTI (GTS), much lighter, harsher, yet still a FWD car. It was really good in cornering, but I don't have the feeling of the SVX being an inferior car, in terms of handling/cornering - Quite the opposite. So yesterday, after some reading here, I learned, how to determine tranny type - and this is result: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jEm...ew?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dDN...ew?usp=sharing https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BKR...ew?usp=sharing What do you guys think ? Filip . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Quote:
|
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
Flip you could say it is like “the good and the bad news”.:)
The good news is that it is a VTD box with the 3.7:1 diffs that does perform better than the 4EAT in all conditions, and won’t break the front diff. The bad news is that you will probably have trouble finding another suitable box to replace it with, and will have to get it overhauled to repair it, and it may be expensive. :( If you do this, find a very good transmission shop and get it repaired with all the modifications that were done by the end of the 95 to 97 models, there were many, including an extra plate in the high clutch, with better cooling flow.:D |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
1 Attachment(s)
.
See the attached .pdf file. It is a Subaru bulletin 078 on instructions for using a transmission pressure gauge. http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/atta...1&d=1537500132 Transmission Line Pressure Test With Vehicle Stationary Line pressure measurement (under no load - closed throttle) (1) Before measuring the line pressure, apply both foot and parking brakes with all wheels chocked. (2) Maintain the temperature of ATF at approx. 70 — 80°C (158 — 176°F) during measurement. (ATF will reach the above temperature after idling the engine for approx. 30 minutes with select lever in “N” or “P”.) Line pressure measurement (under heavy load) (1) Before measuring the line pressure, apply both foot and parking brakes with all wheels chocked. (2) Measure the line pressure when select lever is in “R”, “2” with engine under stall conditions. (3) Measure the line pressure within 5 seconds after shifting the select lever to each position. (If line pressure needs to be measured again, allow the engine to idle, and then stop it to cool down for at least one minute.) (4) Maintain the temperature of ATF at approx. 70 — 80°C (158 — 176°F) during measurement (ATF will reach the above temperature after idling the engine for approx. 30 minutes with the select lever in “N” or “P”.) 3) Temporarily attach the gauge to a suitable place in the driver's compartment, make or remove a blind plug located in front of the toe board and pass the hose of the gauge to engine compartment. 4) Remove the test plug and install the gauge fitting instead. 5) Connect the gauge to the hose. 6) Check note values in accordance with throttle position. Normal line pressure run between, 44 - 189 psi.. |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
1 Attachment(s)
.
Let me add this bit of information provided by Trevor concerning line pressure and assembling a Transmission Pressure Gauge for measurements and diagnostics. The important issue is to detect if at any time line pressure fall below the minimum of say 40PSI and this does not of require a lot effort with a pressure gauge on hand. I can edit this as needed. http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/atta...1&d=1537552563 . |
Re: 3rd and 4th gear are not engaging + weird smell
oab_au: thank you for confirming.
I have already talked with some carshops, so i have basic idea of overhaul cost... The thing is, i have to use SVX anyway, say 50 Km a week. I drive very gently, not letting it much over 3500rpms - if i would not know car is 4 speed, i would not say its broken - so i hope it will be the solenoid... svxcess: thank you very much for all informations you posted ! I really appreciate it ! Problem is , that i have called to 4 carshops, including Subaru and only AT oriented shop and none of them measuring line pressure :rolleyes::(... What is most funny is, that guy from last shop i called, told me, they do measuring line pressure, but do not have adapter for sizes of 90s Subarus socket... So, its not ideal, but i am forced to simply buy that solenoid A, change it myself and see if it make differcence or not. Is this correct part number of SOLENOID A : 16102AA020 ? https://parts.subaru.com/p/Subaru__/...6102AA020.html Only in short, where it is located and how hard it is to change it, is there DIY somewhere ? Thank you very much guys and take care Filip |
| All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:51 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
© 2001-2015 SVX World Network
(208)-906-1122