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'96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
After a VERY, VERY long and enjoyable stretch of no mechanical problems, I pick up on a noise coming from somewhere near the firewall last night.
It's a higher pitched squeal that increases in frequency when accellerating at any speed. I was thinking power steering, but ruled it out. Driving to work this morning, more noise but no change in performance at all. On way home, I aim for parts store to get transmissin fluid (looks a little low but not outrageously so - no leaks either). Decided against taking I-95 "just in case" which turned out to be a really good idea when, at 30mph or so, the rpms rise and the car slows. No forward gears at all. Pull over, no reverse at all. Car sits for 15 min as I make calls and check under hood, under car. Get in, start up, car drives ok for a half mile then loses all gears again. Got her flatbedded to the local Subaru dealer (it was that or Pep Boys...) and await her fate. Fluid wasn't very low, didn't stink, is 25K old, no leaks, no dummy lights, no sign of overheat. Any ideas about what I'm in for beyond a bruised wallet?
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd |
#2
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
The verdict is in.
Transmission is shot. Dealer wants more than the car is worth to remove and replace with new. Unless there is a good fresh rebuild near Philadelphia, I will probably be selling her. Should make that decision by Monday. She has Koni coil-overs, Stebro exhaust, leather interior, new pioneer 4200dvd with HD, Bluetooth, video bypass, strong engine, newer radiator....some pictures are in my locker. Recent upgrades and maintenance by Tom, world-class SVX mechanic. Scouting for a replacement SVX or Audi A8, S8.
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd |
#3
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
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1992 LSL ebony pearl 170k - Thank you Ron Mummert Reading Box of Wine Car ----------------------------------- 1992 SVX LSL 5-Speed Sold at 180K 2019 1995 SVX Lsi Polo Sold at 118K 2007 |
#4
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
+10 on that . Don't kill it 4:44 can save it for less $$$
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#5
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
Go with the S8 and never look back. I'll be glad you did.
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2009 Volvo C70 T5 2008 Volvo S80 V8 2006 Range Rover Sport 2001 Audi S8 |
#6
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
I wish YT was still the SVX go-to guy!
A Manual swap could be an option. I'll look into it!
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd Last edited by wynndi; 11-18-2011 at 09:36 PM. |
#7
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
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What did the dealer say is wrong with the transmission?
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www.svxfiles.com The first SuperCharged SVX, the first 4.44 gears, the first equal length headers, the first phenolic spacers, the first Class Glass fiberglass hood, the first with 4, 4.44s in his driveway Fiberglass Hood thread My locker 4.44 Swap link |
#8
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
My guess is the butt plug fell out. Sorry to hear about the issues Wyn.
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British vehicles are my last ditch attempt to keep the nasty Italian thoughts in my mind at bay. So far its working. |
#9
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
Without taking it apart, they said that a gear was destroyed. I have to assume that it would be a sun gear (or is that planetary) as all gears are lost including reverse.
I dont have 100% confidence in the diagnosis as the car did drive after the first failure - even though it was less than a mile. I'm going to discuss with their tech on Monday .
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd |
#10
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
Much as I'd love to try to sell you my '96 as a replacement (http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/2696901257.html) I would have to say +1 on the 4.44 swap. It's one hell of an upgrade to the acceleration and feel of the car, and I've seen decent 4.44 trannys on eBay for around $800-$1000 or thereabouts. Don't make the mistake though of getting the open diff... go the extra mile and switch the ring and pinion from the open diff to the SVX's limited slip... the open diff is fine, but it does negatively impact handling at the limit. It makes the car have a bit more of a plowing sensation in corners... though the SVX does understeer stock anyway... the open diff just makes it worse.
From the reading I've done, you can't do a manual switch on a '96. Because of the vastly different electronics for OBDII it won't work. I may be wrong on that, but I think I picked up that tidbit in the technical forums at one point. Besides, while the manual switch really changes the character of the SVX, I think the SVX is just fine being one of the best GT's of its era.
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Ich bin ein SVXer wieder My Rides: Red 1996 SVX LSi (Saffron) 2007 Yamaha FJR1300 (Kaitlin) Previously owned; green '95 L AWD (sold), black/pearlie '94 LSi (too many problems), Polo Green '96 SVX LSi (apparently notThe end of an era) Member #2 in the Yahoo! club, been here since the beta-testing days. In dire need of a cheaper hobby. |
#11
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
It can be done, but there are caveats. It won't pass inspection easily, due to a CEL, but it will work just fine.
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'94 Laguna Blue LSi ~159k.......JDM ultra short-geared 3.900 STi Version 7 6-speed w/ Cobb shortshifter, ECUtune 244,8.1mm/256,9.1mm i/e cams, group N motor mounts, '97 grille, JDM clear corners, Momo JDM Legacy GT steering wheel, apkarian's LED tails, silver STi BBS wheels, PWR radiator, redstuff pads f/r, drilled/slotted rotors, bontragerworks rsb #18, Koni/GC 450f/375r coilovers, Megan Racing adjustable lateral links, KMac c/c plates, Stebro exhaust, ECUtune 1v5, Optima battery in the trunk where it belongs. Turbo project '97 Ebony LSi ~137k #036.......Power mode mod, JDM clear corners, BBS wheels. AUX/pocket mod Now a mod "over there" ............Photo album |
#12
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
4.44 Swap is looking pretty attractive though I drove a sweet Audi S5 today....
Who could do a 4.44 within 100 miles of Philadelphia +/-?
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd |
#13
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
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How low was the oil? Harvey.
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One Arm Bloke. Tell it like it is! 95 Lsi. Bordeaux Pearl, Aust. RHD.149,000Kls Subaru BBS wheels. 97 Liberty GX Auto sedan. 320,000Kls. 04 Liberty 30R Auto Premium. 92.000kls. |
#14
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
i agree - gears don't sit for a while then begin to work for a while before dying again, could be fluid pressure or frictions but not likely gears. subaru dealers don't seem to know anything about these things anyway. take it to a trans shop, someone who will swap it for you, or even the pep boys you passed (anyone but the dealer).
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#15
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Re: '96 Transmission Death in Deleware County Pa?
I'm heading to the dealer in the morning with a few quarts of transmission fluid and a funnel.
I need to satisfy my curiosity about the fluid level. From what I could see, it was at "low cold" at the time of failure though the engine was at operating temperature.
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Dave W. ______________________________ 1996 Redd |
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