Early shifting out of first gear.
 

So here's an annoying problem i've never encountered before. Our 94 svx, which has an almost new subaru reman tranny, will not hold first gear higher than 4500rpms. It shifts out if first gear at about 4500, even if I drop the shift selector to the "1" position. Any idea why? Everything else seems to be in good order as far as the transmission is concerned.

Mike

bump? 67890

and that shift is out of first gear at 4500 all the time?
how about the other gears? they shifting out properly?

Yes, without exception, it always shifts from first to second gear at 4500 rpms or lower. Never higher. All of the other gears behave normally.

With your engine and transmission warmed up and the gear selector in top gear, if you put it into POWER mode, (rapid movement of accelerator pedal to the floor to light the POWER light) and keep it there in first gear, does it still shift at 4500 rpm or earlier?

It's normal for the transmission to upshift to 2nd with the gear selector in 1st to prevent damage to the transmission. It will also upshift to 3rd if the gear selector is in 2nd.

Dan

any chance you could put a Select Monitor on to see what the car is "telling you" when this happens? Have you run a trans diagnostic to see if any codes are hiding out?
-Bill

Yes, it shifts at 4500 NO MATTER WHAT. I understand what an svx transmission is supposed to do. It is not behaving properly. It will never, ever, under any circumstances, hold first gear higher than 4500rpms regardless of which shift map is selected.

Mike,
Maybe the trans is just trying to keep you from getting a speeding ticket?:p
-Bill

Oh, of course! I feel much better about it now! ;)

Well I was just out trying to diagnose the problem and got a ticket for 'careless driving' nice.

I'm sure you have a spare TCU laying around somewhere - try swapping it out.

have you read the tranny codes?

There are no stored or current tranny codes.

Mike,
"Careless driving"? You? I can't believe it:rolleyes:

Given all the parts you've got lying around (in addition to extra snorkuses;) ) I'd suggest swapping out the ECU first to see if there isn't an issue with it telling the TCU that it "has" to shift. If this doesn't fix things, then I'm with Matt on swapping out the TCU.

-Bill

Mike,

Have you checked the TPS? Is it set at 0.50V?