Hello, I am new to this group, live in Torrance, CA. My 2000 Forester has a problem. When I accelerate and (my guess) ease off just before it gets into 3rd gear there is clunk and it shifts into 3rd. If i keep accelerating shifting is much smoother but not perfect. Also, after parking Forester for few minutes it is harder to push into D and it gets with clunk similar to one described above. It happens randomly but lately I notice it more and pay attention. Was planning to change oil and filter, is there anything else that needs to be done while pan is down? Anything I can do to help with problem? Thanks LeonK
2000 Forester shifting problem
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 13:18
#1
2000 Forester shifting problem
Sat, 07/02/2011 - 13:25
#2
Hello Leon and welcome to the
Hello Leon and welcome to the site. The clunk when shifting into 3rd gear could be the hydraulic circuit bleeding down. Usually that happens if the vehicle sits overnight, especially if it is cold. Then the first time it shifts into 3rd gear on the next trip, it may clunk when it shifts into 3rd. Subaru had issued a bulletin about this behavior on the Subaru 4EAT Phase II transmission.
When you say it gets harder to push it into D, do you mean it takes longer to engage into drive? For example, perhaps it takes four seconds to actually engage into drive after you move the shifter to drive? If so, that is a bad sign. The early 4EAT Phase II transmissions sometimes developed this 'slow to engage into drive' issue. It has something to do with a lathe cut ring on one of the drums preventing a rapid buildup of pressure. Some people have reported improving it by using TransX transmission fluid additive.
You don't need to drop the pan to change the Subaru ATF. There is a drain plug on the pan and an external spin on filter. There is a suction strainer for the pump under the pan, but usually those don't need to be changed.
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Thanks for the reply.
Good to know there was bulletin issued, I will check that out.
Sometimes I have to push harder than normal from P into D, once there all is ok. it happens with a clunk too.
Engine fully warm. First time it happened I thought something broke.