The AUSubaru.com.au Forums

Hey guys I just bought a 94 Impreza Rx . It is an automatic . When I bought it once I put it into "D" it stays in 1st gear and refuses to change into 2nd no matter how high you rev it . But if I put it into "1" and use the option 1 and 2 and 3 I can shift they the gears smoothly . At first I was told it is the gear box so I changed that . After changing the gear box the problem is still the same ? I sometimes get a light for 5 seconds on the sash that says power. Would anyone know anything about this and how I can fix it ? I have also been told that I would need to program the new gear box with the transmission module?

Any help would be great ! Thanks again

2 things can be the problem here...

1. It could be the TCU not communicating properly or faulty. This will need to be checked on a Select Monitor (Subaru or a Subaru specialist).

2. It's the wrong transmission for your model. Check that the transmission number matches what is correct for your car. I probably wouldn't compare against the old one as this may have been fitted wrong as well. I found only an Automatic from an Impreza or Forester will work in either-ither. Liberty Autos will not work in Impreza's or Forester's.

Thanks for that mate . I checked the gearbox number an it matches the car so that eliminates that . I've had a few suggestions that it is the TCU so I'll be taking that to a Subaru specialist on Monday . Thanks for your help

G'day ahmado.92

Make sure you let us know what they find... good luck

No probs.. another thing to check before heading done to Subaru, is the check that the pins in the 2 large plugs (on top of the gearbox bellhousing) are all straight and that the plugs are truely snapped in together.

Hey I took it to Subaru they programmed it and there is still an error when they put it to diagnose the problem . It says " Carried out diagnosis found codes lodged in system. inspected found all trans codes cleared code then roadtested, code reappeared inspected and found speed sensor code lodged found that has wirring fault from the sensor to ECU that is causing fault"

Any ideas ?

Ok.. we are getting somewhere

Sounds like 1 of 2 things.. either the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) is faulty or the wiring to the VSS.

Both these things are external to the gearbox so you can check these things. I'd try a replacement VSS, as this is more likely to fail than the wiring.

Is your Speedo itself working ok? and have you compared this against a GPS unit?

I'd also check the correct voltage is being sent to the VSS. I don't have the manual in front of me but download one off here and follow the instructions.

Sorry for the delay it's at a mechanic now and they are currently changing the speed sensor. Will let you know if that's the problem