l series 3spd auto not changing gears properly

[raynman1989]

Hey. I recently purchased a 1991 l series auto and it changes gears at a very high rpm and just the other day it stopped changing into 3rd at all. I haven't had time to look at it but if someone has any idea what could be wrong that would be great. And hopefully it doesn't need replacing:-/
Thanks

 

[Kevin]

Welcome r1989!

First thing I would check in an auto is the trans fluid.

 

[raynman1989]

Thanks!
Sorry should of said that I've checked that and it's very clean and is full maybe even a bit over full

 

[Ratbag]

Gidday RM

A warm to the ORS forum, mate.

I'm certainly no expert on auto boxes, but I seem to recall that being over filled doesn't help ...
Bit like engine oil in that regard.

Maybe a Subaru mechanic could save you a lot of angst? Just get him to diagnose the problem, at least. Then you can make whatever choices are necessary, knowing what the problem is or is likely to be.

Has the car been overheated? As in engine coolant boiling?

All the best with finding the problem. Hopefully someone with experience with these boxes will chime in with some suggestions of value ...

 

[raynman1989]

Thank you.
Yeah I will true draining a bit of oil. Your probably right a subaru mechanic would be the easiest way to figure out what's wrong. I've only driven it twice but it hasn't overheated on me but it did get a bit hot when a hole appeared it a radiator hose but I fixed it before it got too bad

 

[Robbks]

I'd be starting with a full flush and pump dry of the tranny.

I'm unsure on the early boxes, but the 89 onwards 4EAT has the following procedure for properly flushing the tranny fluid,
uses about 10L so it reasonably expensive

-Get car on ramps/ stands, get a big bucket under the oil pump
-Remove the outlet line from the pump and put into the bucket
-run it until the pump starts to splutter,
-top up the box and run the car again until it splutters out
-repeat until the fluid all comes out perfect and clean.
it wastes a big of oil but is the sure fire way of getting it all out without having to remove and re-seal the pan

Castrol TQ95 is the fluid of choice for the 4EAT

 

[raynman1989]

That sounds like a good idea but since the fluid in there looks basically brand new and I'm short on cash it might have too wait

 

[Subytim]

do you find your having to top the fluid up but cant find a leak on the ground? if so the vaccum control module could have a hole in it which wont help your case.