1992 AWD trans failure

Saxman · #1 09-01-2013, 01:14 AM

Hey today while I was driving on the freeway at 80mph my transmission made a loud snap/clunking noise and shuddered and started to slow down like when you downshift in a manual. When I pulled the car over and parked it, it would no longer switch into reverse, although it will switch into drive, I think it won't shift past 2nd gear.

The car won't even roll backwards in Neutral, but it will roll forward.

When I try to switch into reverse I hear a loud whining noise, it sounds like a gear is grinding against something.

I have been searching for hours and I haven't found a single thing that matches what my problem is.

I pulled the transmission codes and it came up with 24 for duty solenoid C, and 11 for duty solenoid A. I tried unplugging the resistor for behind the battery but it didn't change anything.

I checked the diff and trans fluid and they both smell burnt.

At this point I'd just like to try to figure out how to get it to roll backwards so I can get it home and start working on replacing the transmission.

I would greatly appreciate any input from anyone.

SVX_MY_BABY · #2 09-01-2013, 07:49 AM

Don't know about the inability of rolling backwards in neutral. When mine went years ago I managed to drive it to the shop in 2 nd. Took a while as I had 90 km to travel and didn't want to rev past the red line, but I got there.

Sean486 · #3 09-01-2013, 08:23 AM

I had one that did that, a big boom while driving, continued to drive forward at a high rev but after parked would not go into reverse or neutral.
It went to the garage on a roll back. They used dollies on the front wheels so that they did have to drag it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...ies-67338.html

Saxman · #4 09-01-2013, 05:07 PM

The only way for me to get the car out of the parking space it's in, is to back the car up.

Can no one think of any reason why the reverae gear has failed to even engage? It just makes a really loud whining noise.

Saxman · #5 09-01-2013, 07:55 PM

Did either of you ever end up figuring out what happened to your transmission?

Sean486 · #6 09-01-2013, 08:19 PM

My issue is probably different from yours, I had a problem with my ATF flow after improper filter install. The transmission had to be replaced.

Saxman · #7 09-01-2013, 08:46 PM

Could the center differential cause this problem? It's been binding pretty bad recently, I was getting ready to rebuild a core myself to replace it.

Saxman · #8 09-01-2013, 11:21 PM

New information:

1. Car shifted into reverse finally, still wouldn't bunch an inch even at 2500rpms.

2. Back wheels spin freely in nuetral, and don't spin when in park.

3. Front wheels will roll forward for ever, but only ever goes back an inch or so.

I think there's a tooth or something broken off that's in the way of the front differential rolling backwards.

Does anyone know if the torque converter could be causing this, or if my front differential is toast?

1986nate · #9 09-03-2013, 10:11 AM

This sounds like a front differential failure. Drain the front diff if you can where it is, the plug is magnetic so check for any teeth. If no teeth stuck to the drain plug, take a flashlight or use your finger to check for any teeth laying on the bottom, or the light to check the ring and pinion gears for missing/damaged teeth.

Saxman · #10 09-03-2013, 11:03 PM

I just had the car towed to this transmission shop down the street, they offered free towing and they seem pretty honest.

Anyone know of any good transmission shops in southern California in case it doesn't work out with this one?

Sean486 · #11 09-04-2013, 02:53 AM

Have you thought about doing the 4.44 swap?

Saxman · #12 09-04-2013, 09:42 PM

I've been thinking about it, not sure what's exactly involved in the swap, enlighten me please? The transmission shop quoted me "$780" just to pull the transmission out of the car. There's no way in hell I'm paying that.

So it looks like I'm going to try to get the car home and pull the transmission out myself, I know I can do it, the only problem is getting the car high enough up in the air to get the transmission out. Perhaps I'll ask the auto shop at my college to use their lift.

I found this website: http://autotransparts.com/cart.php?m..._detail&p=1130

for $1650 (plus shipping probably) this would be my last resort.

Sean486 · #13 09-05-2013, 06:27 AM

I have only really done minor jobs on my car, the major ones I have always paid someone to do, but this is my understanding.

Transmissions from 96-98 Legacy/Outback with the 2.5 motors will bolt up but need slight modification (speed sensor swapped) and then require changes to the rear differential since we are changing the gear ratio. The gear ratio is 4.44 which seems to hold up much better on our cars. They also have the advantage of being cheaper and easier to find than the stock transmissions. I have no faith in the stock SVX transmissions unless they are Subaru rebuilt or upgraded with ECUTUNE valve bodies.

The ones from the 2.2 motors with the 4.11 ratio also bolt up but have a history of failing pretty quickly in our cars.

Here is a link to svxfiles' write up.

http://www.subaru-svx.net/forum/show...45&postcount=6

bwb3 · #14 09-05-2013, 03:46 PM

I agree with Sean486 and also think svxfiles' write up is great and easy to follow. Took the rear diff to a 4WD/AWD transmission shop to have the LSD swap and lash adjustment checked. Came through with flying colors.
One caveat, a used transmission is just that, buyer be ware. I had my 4.44 shipped, was low mileage but, must have been sitting a long time. All seals were bad, as was the C solenoid. Luckily the SVX tranny solenoid was still good.
Gene

Saxman · #15 09-06-2013, 12:30 AM

That's exactly what I'm scared of, I don't really want to pay $800 for something I'm going to have to spend another $800 on to make sure it's in good working order before I put it in my car. I only have 140,000 miles on my car, so I would prefer to find something with that much or less.