Strange transmission issue in a '92 sedan

[The Jed]

First of all hello, I just joined. This seems like THE place to go for anything concerning the Subaru Legacy.

I've been a Subaru nut for about a decade now and have owned several Imprezas and I just picked up my first Legacy a few days ago. Like the title says, it's a '92 FWD, auto with 120,000 miles that acts a bit strange.

Immediately after it is started it will move in low and reverse but if it warms up a bit it won't do anything besides make a faint clicking/buzzing sound when it is put into gear. I've checked the fluids and the diff has old gear oil in it and the trans has atf that, surprisingly, didn't smell burnt.

I originally bought the car for the engine, brakes and some suspension bits to put on my '97 Brighton and my wife's '93 L, but, after looking it over a bit I REALLY like it and would be ecstatic if this were a cheap fix.

Has anyone had a similar issue?

Cheers,
Jed

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS Jed.

It sounds like there is something lodged possibly in the valve body or a seal blown which is causing a restriction or a drop in the line pressure. Without digging into int further, it'd be hard to pin point.

Are you sure there is enough ATF? The car needs to be running when you check the ATF and at idle. Slowly cycle the gear selector from P to 1 and then back to P. Then check the fluid level with car running.

[The Jed]

Thanks for the info, hopefully I'll have a chance to tear into it this weekend.