No response from transmission after fluid change

[Russell]

Having bought a 2001 Forester with well aged ATF
I changed the fluid and filter with the DextranIII fluid and and filter that that local parts store said was to Subaru specifications.
I live off road about 600' south and 130' down. The drive is rough and of rock and mud.
I parked at the bottom.

A day or so later I started to head up and out yet got no response from the transmission other than park still behaves as park and neutral allows the Forester to be rolled.

FreeSSM connects to the ECU completely and all checks are good.
FreeSSM does not recognize any response from the TCU.
That is an issue but it may not be the presenting problem other than I am blind as to what the problem might be.

Is there any chance that the auto parts store sold me an engine oil filter rather than the required ATF filter and that that could cause the presenting portion of the 'No AT response to gear lever shift problem'.
Does anyone know the design difference in the ATF filter? Is there a high-flow high-pressure bypass valve in the ATF filter that permits only a fraction of the oil to be filtered when the engine is pumping a great deal of ATF?

And has ANY gotten FreeSSM to work with the AT of a 2001 Forester?

Very TIA since the problem has been chewing at me for 3 months.

[Kevin]

G'day & Welcome Russell.

Are you sure there is sufficient fluid in the system i.e. have you checked the level with the engine running?

There's an article here re filter differences: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...different.html

[Rally]

Genuine filters have what they are for printed on the top of the filter.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Kevin

G'day & Welcome Russell.

Are you sure there is sufficient fluid in the system i.e. have you checked the level with the engine running?

First thing I checked. What would you check next?

I just replaced the ATF filter just in case an oil filter was installed.
No change yet.
Would an oil filter in that ATF filter place do any harm?

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Rally

Genuine filters have what they are for printed on the top of the filter.

The filter was just painted black - no markings.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by Kevin

G'day & Welcome Russell.

There's an article here re filter differences: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/...different.html

Thanks for the great link. Looks like I have the wrong filter twice - now I will purchase the OEM version. To me, It does not look like the unofficial versions would do any more harm than to reduce the gas mileage and power available to the wheels. That would be enough to make the extra cost a bargain, IHMO. I have been known to misunderstand things - this may be one of those times.

Any additional thoughts or corrections?

[NachaLuva]

Subarus are funny animals, they can be extremely reliable when OEM parts are used & Very unreliable with aftermarket parts.

Lesson here...always use genuine Subaru ATF, oil, air, fuel filters...always...

I learnt this myself when I had a big end rattle on startup. Turned out to be the brand name oil filter. Did some googling & found out I wasn't alone. Since then have always used genuine filters without any problems. OEM is only a few $$$ more so definitely worth it