Subaru Reconditioned Transmission

#1 01-11-2005, 04:09 PM

I just had my transmission replaced with a Subaru reconditioned trasmission after the original one died in July. Today I found out that my transmission is going again! Has anyone who has had there transmission replaced had this happen to them?

I guess its a good thing it happend now, because I am trying to sell the car, and I would feel awful if it happened right after I sold it.

Thanks!

RojoRocket · #2 01-11-2005, 05:35 PM

a warranty?? A Subaru Reman trans should surely come with coverage for failure so soon after installation.

Glenn

#3 01-11-2005, 05:40 PM

yes it does have a warrenty, well atleast i a m pretty sure it does. I haven't talked to the dealer yet. It is at a local garage right now waiting to be transported. I was just wondering if it was common for a reconditioned transmission to last such a short time.

lee · #4 01-11-2005, 05:52 PM

I don't think it's very common, but what may have happened is they just swapped out the box and never flushed the lines to/from the cooler - and the cooler itself. So whatever nasties were floating around in there just got recirculated. Of course there's always the bad apple....mine made it to about 6 months... after the warranty expired.

#5 01-11-2005, 05:58 PM

well that stinks, thats why I am looking to sell mine after I get this repaired. I cannot handle the maintenance it requires.

Hocrest · #6 01-11-2005, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kati3b33
yes it does have a warrenty, well atleast i a m pretty sure it does. I haven't talked to the dealer yet. It is at a local garage right now waiting to be transported. I was just wondering if it was common for a reconditioned transmission to last such a short time.

Lat December-January (2003-2004) three SOA rebuilds that I know of, all went within weeks of their installation. At least two of them fried the TCU when they went.

According to the dealer, it was a bad TCU from the beginning that fried both (original and reman) transmissions, but I think that is a crock, and they replaced the trans completely under warranty. They tried every excuse they could to void the warranty though. If they had the slightest bit of proof that it wasn't a bad batch of tranny's I'm sure I would of had to pay.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...threadid=15412

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...threadid=15874

Earthworm · #7 01-11-2005, 06:29 PM

How is it failing this time?

#8 01-11-2005, 06:44 PM

When I take my foot off the gas pedal, I hear a loud whirring noise. I also think the gears are slipping, or not catching or something. When I let off the gas pedal the tackometer drops and then it seems to catch. I do not really know too much about it. I did not think it was transmission when I brought it to the garage to be looked at today, but thats what the mechanic said it was.

IwantaSVX · #9 01-11-2005, 11:42 PM

It seems fairly common for Subaru Remans to go. I worked at a Subaru Dealership beside the mechanics and we saw a number of cases. One in particular, a '92 SVX, which the original failed at 101K miles. A reman was installed and lasted a whole few thousand miles. Subaru authorized a replacement, it was installed and lasted less than a thousand miles. The second reman unit failed within a thousand miles and Subaru said they would replace it but they were calling in a rep and it would be the last box they would put in this car.. They called in the district rep and he told our guys what he wanted replaced and he was there when it went in. They replaced the transmission, cooler kit, and speed sensor #2. So far all is good. Although, I know for a fact they flushed everything when the first transmission was put in. I'm unsure about any of the others.

They've had a number of problems with remans at New Motors. I've talked with one of the techs who has since retired and according to him the transmission crates have experation dates on them. Subaru appearantly does not want the boxes used if they have been sitting...as the seals and other interal parts could be defective. Also, Tom says that there are problems with the way the boxes are rebuilt. General Labor help puts together the reman boxes.....and sometimes everything is A-OK....sometimes NOT.

Earthworm · #10 01-12-2005, 12:38 PM

The whirring will either be a differential or driveshaft.

Do you have the tranny resistor still plugged in?

IwantaSVX · #11 01-12-2005, 02:17 PM

Its also possible the resistor could be bad. I had that problem with my first SVX. Amazingly I did not get a power light flashing but I had no engine braking in 3rd gear.

Bobb · #12 01-12-2005, 06:19 PM

Hi everyone, I have had a rebuilt in my '92 for a couple of years with zero problems. It was my understanding that the exchange transmission was returned to a commercial transmission rebuilder under contract to SOA. The rebuilt transmission from SOA has a two year warrenty from date of installation. Take care, BOBB

IwantaSVX · #13 01-12-2005, 07:05 PM

2yr 24,000 miles or whichever comes first. Cover parts and labor (but you must have it installed at an authorized Subaru dealer to qualify for them to pay for warranty labor). Although, to my understanding....any failure and they replace it with another Reman box. Subaru will not authorize dealers to repair them. Appearantly it is cheaper to just replace them.

In the Dealer book it also states about a 1yr unlimited mileage warranty.

So, I guess if you put a lot of miles on your vehicle they will cover the first full year regardess of your mileage.....or if you don't drive it very much, they will cover 2 full years.

scottsubarus · #14 01-15-2005, 08:47 PM

Transmissions, like any other part will fail for a reason. If the reason is some external problem, like bad TPS, plugged trans cooler or poor cooling in general...and yes, TCM will/can cause a rebuilt or remanufactured trans to fail, sometimes quickly.Maybe one of those cars had the recall (external trans fluid filter) plugged??

Scott
Certified Transmission
www.certifiedtransmissions.com

IwantaSVX · #15 01-26-2005, 10:14 PM

I've talked with Katie about her car. The Dealership ordered a replacement reman and it turned out to be defective. So, they had to order another one. It is appearantly doing ok....but I believe she just got it back.

Just a warning to be wary of the reman units unless you feel like forking out over 3 grand for potential problems. Sure they may come with a warranty but it seems that they may not be the most reliable option.

We've had better luck with remanufactured Kia transmissions at our Dealership.