SVX transmission questions
Randel
Hello,
I've subscribed to this group for a month or so and have seen traffic
about the '92 SVX transmission problems, etc. Since the "power" light
on my '92 with 83K has just started to blink, I'm expecting the worst
and would ask group members with knowledge in this area to respond
with suggestions and experiences.
The car - '92 SVX. I am the third owner, but have service records.
The Transmission was repaired at 55K - don't know what was done,
but have the Subaru dealers name and address. I can call them, but
expect that they would have done any factory mods at that time.
The problem - Upon starting the car the green "power" light blinks
for a few seconds. The manual says to get it to the dealer
"immediately" but the car runs and shifts fine. At least for now.
The questions - Since I'm sure that someone (or several) people out
there have beent thru this, perhaps we can assemble some info that
might be helpful to other owners.
1. If you've had a transmission fixed or replaced, how long before
it went bad?
2. Has Subaru paid for a new transmission and/or repair for anyone
after the published warranty has expired?
3. If Subaru has paid for transmission replacement/repair for you
when the car was out of warranty, how did you talk them into
doing it?
4. Anyone have any tips, tricks or other background info on this
problem? How to make them last longer, cause of the problem, etc.
Thanks in advance for your responses on the newgroup. Perhaps
this thread could become useful enough to wind up on some
SVX/Subaru web pages and serve as a reference for future
SVX owners.
KuoH
There was a recall on the 92 SVX's with regard to the transmission. I
can't remember what it was for sure, but that's probably what the trans
service was for. I asked them replace mine at around 20-30k because I
thought it was shifting roughly and gear hunting too much. It still
does an occasional quick gear hunt when I let off the gas abruptly after
heavy acceleration, but I haven't really seen any problems and I'm at
98k now.
As for the power light, I haven't noticed any blinking, except maybe
right after startup. On occasion the RPM's will drop to almost 0 after
startup, but it recovers and revs right back up, sometimes with the
power light on I think. I don't remember reading anything about the
power light indicating trouble in the owner's manual, but you can try
and check the engine codes if it really worries you. I would think that
the check engine light would be the one to indicate problems. Now that
one has lit up several times for me, but only for a second or so each
time. I think it only happens after a dramatic climate change, but the
service department never found any problems so I just let it be. The
next time I catch it, I might stop and try to read the code.
KuoH
Chris Stewart
>The problem - Upon starting the car the green "power" light blinks
>for a few seconds. The manual says to get it to the dealer
>"immediately" but the car runs and shifts fine. At least for now.
If the manual states to go to the dealer, give your local Subaru
service department a call and ask them, it may be nothing or
something, but its best to play it safe.
The 92 trans fix was a filter kit addition, nothing as serious as a
mechanical overhaul or replacement of gears. If the filter kit is not
there, the logic is, I assume, that when the ATF gets dirty bad things
can happen, another good reason to get your ATF changed regularly.
Our 1st SVX, is still going strong at 147k miles, no signs of "major"
problems. The trans shifts and drives smoothly and accurately.
Although the "D" gear selection light in the dash no longer
illuminates. And some A/C problems- fan sheared off, some leaks,
needless to say its going to be expensive.
Randel
On Fri, 19 Jun 1998 10:24:07 -0500, KuoH <Ku...@aol.com> wrote:
Thanks for the response. The manual talks about the "power" light
in the section with other indicator lights. There a special box on
the page that says "if the power light blinks for 8 seconds after the
car is started, this may indicate a problem with the transmission".
I know there is a separate computer that control the AT and I'd like
to at least unplug it and then plug it back in to see if this hard
reset might help. Anyone know where it is? Chilton, as they do
frequently, leaves out all mention of this.
>There was a recall on the 92 SVX's with regard to the transmission. I
>can't remember what it was for sure, but that's probably what the trans
>service was for. I asked them replace mine at around 20-30k because I
>thought it was shifting roughly and gear hunting too much. It still
>does an occasional quick gear hunt when I let off the gas abruptly after
>heavy acceleration, but I haven't really seen any problems and I'm at
>98k now.
>
> As for the power light, I haven't noticed any blinking, except maybe
>right after startup. On occasion the RPM's will drop to almost 0 after
>startup, but it recovers and revs right back up, sometimes with the
>power light on I think. I don't remember reading anything about the
>power light indicating trouble in the owner's manual, but you can try
>and check the engine codes if it really worries you. I would think that
>the check engine light would be the one to indicate problems. Now that
>one has lit up several times for me, but only for a second or so each
>time. I think it only happens after a dramatic climate change, but the
>service department never found any problems so I just let it be. The
>next time I catch it, I might stop and try to read the code.
>
>KuoH
>
>Randel wrote:
>>
>
>>
>> The car - '92 SVX. I am the third owner, but have service records.
>> The Transmission was repaired at 55K - don't know what was done,
>> but have the Subaru dealers name and address. I can call them, but
>> expect that they would have done any factory mods at that time.
>>
>> The problem - Upon starting the car the green "power" light blinks
>> for a few seconds. The manual says to get it to the dealer
>> "immediately" but the car runs and shifts fine. At least for now.
>>
John
This is a good posting. As an SVX owner for about two years (green
'92 with 89K), I've noticed my power light blink for a few seconds on
startup as well. Doesn't happen all the time, but enough to be
worrisome. I've seen several folks report that their transmission has
been changed (I think in some classified ads).
I was going to take it in this week for the problem and would love to
hear from other SVX owners as to their transmission experiences. I
always like to go into a dealer knowing what I'm talking about.
BTW, Randel - did you get to the bottom of it?
John
On Fri, 19 Jun 1998 12:18:20 GMT, dont...@here.com (Randel) wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I've subscribed to this group for a month or so and have seen traffic
>about the '92 SVX transmission problems, etc. Since the "power" light
>on my '92 with 83K has just started to blink, I'm expecting the worst
>and would ask group members with knowledge in this area to respond
>with suggestions and experiences.
>
cterps
Why don't you change the tranny fluid/filter and see if it goes away? You
ought to be able to get it done cheap. I assume you checked the fluid
levels? - there are two places. Make sure it's running, warm, shift through
the gears, wait a few minutes, and check it a few times. Should not smell
burned, but sure doesn't smell nice even when it's good. The tranny and the
differential use very different kinds of fluid, be careful.
My '92 has the same mileage, and that's what I would do before letting
someone have a chance to kill me on tranny repair. Besides, that idiot
light never did squat before my transmission went out with "the problem"
(fixed under the recall). I would be very surprised if it's much more than
a fluid temperature sensor.
Check/change the fluid first.
Randel wrote in message <358b52f3...@news.mindspring.com>...
Arrizabala
I just posted this message under a different subject then ran across this
message. I bought my 92 SVX 35 days ago from a dealer who gave a 30 day
warranty. The SVX had 68,000 miles then and has 70,000 now. My transmission
won't shift into 3rd or 4th as of today. Fluid level is fine, looks clean. My
power light comes on for approx 3 seconds after starting, doesn't flicker, just
goes off. I don't know how many have owned this car before me or what's been
done to it. I don't even know if the timing belt has been changed. I really
love this car and plan on keeping it (although I haven't found a buyer for my
90 Legacy yet with 142,000). Any suggestions???
Mary Curtis
Boise, Idaho
John
HI Mary,
I'm going in this week for the dealer to have a look at my
transmission as well. Mine shifts perfectly but the darn power light
flashes for 8 seconds after startup - this is the computer reporting a
problem. I have seen some info on other people having transmissions
replaced when I was looking on the net for a car - one guy reported
he'd had two new ones!
Here's some advice - if you are told you need a new tranny, try to get
the dealer to do it first. You'll quickly find out if he or she is
worth dealing with in the future. Second, call subaru and complain
that the transmission should have lasted far longer than this and that
you hope they are willing to repair it on their dime. Car companies
do this sort of stuff all the time without much fanfair - a long shot
but perhaps worth a try. Tell them you know there was a modification
to the transmission that Subaru offered on all '92s and that you
believe the car suffered early failure due to this problem (FYI, they
added a filter to all these free of charge. There had to be a reason
for this).
I'll pot the resutls of my trip to the dealer if you will!
SEARUNNER
This is an unusual problem in my experience with SVX. If the mileage is
genuine you have an engineering fault and the advice given to check direct
with your Subaru dealership is good advice.
My SVX has done 68.000 miles. Transmission has been free of any problems
except for minor "clunking" in low gear during stop/start traffic jam
motoring. More of an annoyance than a real problem.
I am sure that the SVX transmission is a strong runner - they use it in the
new Legacy?Liberty? - so service and parts should be no problem. Good luck
with it. Persevere - you have a wonderful motor car despite this initial
set-back.
SEARUNNER
Al Zulich
Arrizabala wrote:
> I just posted this message under a different subject then ran across this
> message. I bought my 92 SVX 35 days ago from a dealer who gave a 30 day
> warranty. The SVX had 68,000 miles then and has 70,000 now. My transmission
> won't shift into 3rd or 4th as of today. Fluid level is fine, looks clean. My
> power light comes on for approx 3 seconds after starting, doesn't flicker, just
> goes off. I don't know how many have owned this car before me or what's been
> done to it. I don't even know if the timing belt has been changed. I really
> love this car and plan on keeping it (although I haven't found a buyer for my
> 90 Legacy yet with 142,000). Any suggestions???
>
My '92 SVX has 61K, and is presently on its third transmission. The last time it
went
out is exactly as you describe - had first gear only. Never did notice anything
unusual
with the power light.
I did notice that the warranty went from one year to two on the transmission, so
there
may be a little more going on than they are willing to state.
*****
Al & Billie Zulich Harford Reptile Breeding Center
P.O. Box 914, Bel Air, MD 21014
Visit our Web Site at (410) 838-1578 (Phone/fax)
http://www.pythons.com al...@pythons.com
Strafe
It's not exactly the same tranny. The newer Subees have
trannys based on the SVX technology. Remember, the SVX
WAS the Subaru 'Halo' car, a new technology showcase for
the first 3 years or so it was out. The tranny in it was, at the
time, a very advanced concept. And very, very complex. The
AWD system was way ahead of it's time. And still is. Most
manufactures don't even think AWD is worth goofing with.
If you ever talk to someone who has had an SVX tranny
apart they will tell you it is a nightmare of electromechanical
parts, but wonderful technology that works great (after the
initial bugs of '92 were worked out). Now the wheel bearings
are another story...
None the less, I love my '96 SVX LSi. Wouldn't take a brand
new 911 for it. That doesn't mean I wouldn't take a 911 but
I just wouldn't trade my SVX for it! I plan to keep mine until
I croak!
-joe-
----------------------------------------------------------------------
-Joe Aycock (joe...@gte.net)(http://home1.gte.net/joeaux/index.htm)
-Lover of all things Macintosh, OS/2 or Unix, collector of the best toy
-ever, Transformers. Subaru SVX --- The Beauty Of All Wheel Drive.
-"Judges Disqualify 'Little Milton' In Last Minute Rumpus".
-The St. Cleve Chronicle; Friday, January 7th 1972
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SEARUNNER wrote in message <6n7hvn$lo$1...@fep5.clear.net.nz>...
:I am sure that the SVX transmission is a strong runner - they use it in the
KuoH
Don't get me started! <G>
KuoH