Rough Shift from 1st to 2nd @ Lower RPM

[ACESVX]

Hi Guys!

I just got my SVX over a week ago. She's a beauty. Well cared for, 107K miles, looks pristine inside and out ... will post pics soon.

Anyways, I have no idea who to ask, so here it is. The tranny was replaced at around 70K but I've noticed as I drive it that the tranny shifts VERY rough if it's going into 2nd under 1700 rpm (Thank you Los Angeles Traffic), semi-rough from 1700 to 3000, and smooth above 3000. I've checked the fluid and everything looks good. Is this normal?

[bishop]

fairly sure this is normal, my trans was replaced and it shifts a bit hard going from 1st to 2nd.

[B 4 You]

It's most likely the brake band or the throttle position sensor. I've yet to get it fixed, but mine has doing this too, with a non-original transmission. It's been this way for 3 years without getting any worse. To avoid it, just use manual mode with your car in 2nd whenever you're in traffic.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by B 4 You

It's most likely the brake band or the throttle position sensor. I've yet to get it fixed, but mine has doing this too, with a non-original transmission. It's been this way for 3 years without getting any worse. To avoid it, just use manual mode with your car in 2nd whenever you're in traffic.

It's not related to the brake band at all. It's pretty typical for all Phase 1 Subarus to develop a harsh 1-2 shift. If anything, the resistor behind the battery may need a check, but I usually never worry about it. TPS could also be possible, but usually will cause other shifting issues as well.

[B 4 You]

Originally Posted by 1986nate

It's not related to the brake band at all. It's pretty typical for all Phase 1 Subarus to develop a harsh 1-2 shift. If anything, the resistor behind the battery may need a check, but I usually never worry about it. TPS could also be possible, but usually will cause other shifting issues as well.

Really? Everyone, I mean EVERYONE has told me it's one of those two. Maybe I should bring my car to you and have you look at it...

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by B 4 You

Really? Everyone, I mean EVERYONE has told me it's one of those two. Maybe I should bring my car to you and have you look at it...

Who is "Everyone"?

[Coan]

Mine has been doing this for years. It's annoying as hell, but hasn't gotten any worse. I've learned to adapt my driving to avoid it for the most part, but it still bothers me.

Originally Posted by 1986nate

It's not related to the brake band at all. It's pretty typical for all Phase 1 Subarus to develop a harsh 1-2 shift. If anything, the resistor behind the battery may need a check, but I usually never worry about it. TPS could also be possible, but usually will cause other shifting issues as well.

Resistor behind the battery? What resistor is this? I would really love to make this go away...

[B 4 You]

Originally Posted by Coan

Mine has been doing this for years. It's annoying as hell, but hasn't gotten any worse. I've learned to adapt my driving to avoid it for the most part, but it still bothers me.

Resistor behind the battery? What resistor is this? I would really love to make this go away...

Me too... I always feel like I'm going to shred my transmission in half. Does anyone have a picture of the resistor that needs to be checked? I'm not sure I can picture where it could be.

[longassname]

I'm the guy who ran ECUtune. I've rebuilt a lot of these transmissions and used to offer a performance rebuilt transmission for sale through ECUtune. When I first started doing the performance rebuild I used one of the two "shift kits" that are commonly available through the transmission parts supply houses for these transmissions. It included a stiffer spring for the 1-2 accumulator specifically to stiffen up the 1-2 shift. We found that with this spring and the stock Transmission Control Unit programming that while driving in traffic you might experience a harsh 1 to 2 shift primarily when 1st lightly accelerating and then letting off the gas. You would start to get some momentum, you would let off the gas because you are in traffic, and then the car would perform a harsh shift right before you started to decelerate. Experience proved we didn't need this spring and I developed my own set of valve body modifications so this was only an issue in maybe the 1st half dozen transmissions I built. It is very unlikely your car has one of these transmissions. If it did the owner would have been very clear about it and adamant that his SVX was worth more than others. It is, however, very likely that the transmission shop that rebuilt your transmission would have used one of those shift kits which includes that spring.

I also offered a performance Transmission Control Unit---TCU. I don't have them listed on the Subiechips website yet but I do still make them. You can email me to arrange getting one. The shift maps in the performance TCU eliminate that annoying shift into 2nd after you let off the gas in traffic altogether so you can keep your stiff 1 to 2 shift without being beat up in traffic by it.

Originally Posted by ACESVX

Hi Guys!

I just got my SVX over a week ago. She's a beauty. Well cared for, 107K miles, looks pristine inside and out ... will post pics soon.

Anyways, I have no idea who to ask, so here it is. The tranny was replaced at around 70K but I've noticed as I drive it that the tranny shifts VERY rough if it's going into 2nd under 1700 rpm (Thank you Los Angeles Traffic), semi-rough from 1700 to 3000, and smooth above 3000. I've checked the fluid and everything looks good. Is this normal?