CarSPIN Forums

Auto Talk => The Garage => Topic started by: AutobahnSHO on July 16, 2019, 11:45:21 AM

Title: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on July 16, 2019, 11:45:21 AM
IT's really really hard to shift the auto transmission in/out of gear. Seems worse now that we're driving it less.

I'll take it to shop tomorrow, what should I be checking??...    :hammerhead:
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: BimmerM3 on July 16, 2019, 11:48:14 AM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on July 16, 2019, 11:45:21 AM
IT's really really hard to shift the auto transmission in/out of gear. Seems worse now that we're driving it less.

I'll take it to shop tomorrow, what should I be checking??...    :hammerhead:

Is it just getting out of park, or is it any gear change?

It might be the little switch that prevents you from moving out of park if your foot isn't on the brake. I need to replace that on the Explorer, but it only fails some of the time, so I haven't gotten around to it yet.
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: AutobahnSHO on July 16, 2019, 12:09:32 PM
Quote from: BimmerM3 on July 16, 2019, 11:48:14 AM
Is it just getting out of park, or is it any gear change?

It might be the little switch that prevents you from moving out of park if your foot isn't on the brake. I need to replace that on the Explorer, but it only fails some of the time, so I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Interlock seems fine, it's hard to push the lever up and down to any gears. Gets worse trying to go past D to little-used 3, 2 & 1.
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: 93JC on July 16, 2019, 01:18:49 PM
Don't know how an Impreza gear selector switch is linked up to the shift lever itself, but it's a good bet that's what's binding up.
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: AutobahnSHO on July 16, 2019, 07:57:50 PM
Thanks, I'll put it on the lift tomorrow and ask the mechanic there.

Nothing like $5 shop charge + $3/hr and free advice/ access to shop manuals.
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: AutobahnSHO on July 17, 2019, 06:36:39 PM
So mechanic thinks the cable is bad- poked a hole in the boot around the end of the cable where it meets the transmission, spray some PB blaster in, worked it some, it got better, so he thinks that's the entire problem. Car does have a lot of years on it..

Cable is $55 from Subaru. Lot cheaper than I thought it would be- and it's funny they say it goes on "50 variants (vehicles) between 2005-2014". That's some cost savings there!?!?!

Subarus must truly be like Lego cars, mix and match whatever.... !
Title: Re: Impreza (auto) shifter
Post by: BimmerM3 on July 17, 2019, 07:08:20 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on July 17, 2019, 06:36:39 PM
So mechanic thinks the cable is bad- poked a hole in the boot around the end of the cable where it meets the transmission, spray some PB blaster in, worked it some, it got better, so he thinks that's the entire problem. Car does have a lot of years on it..

Cable is $55 from Subaru. Lot cheaper than I thought it would be- and it's funny they say it goes on "50 variants (vehicles) between 2005-2014". That's some cost savings there!?!?!

Subarus must truly be like Lego cars, mix and match whatever.... !

Heh, yeah, everything they make (minus the BR-Z) is on one of two platforms, so I guess it makes sense that there are a lot of interchangeable parts.

The newest models will even be down to a single platform once everything gets updated - the "Subaru Global Platform". Once the new Outback comes out in a few months, I think it'll just be the WRX and STi that are left on old platforms (they tend to lag a few years behind Impreza updates).
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 11, 2020, 04:01:25 PM
Transmission is still ok, didn't replace the shifter cable yet.

NEW PROBLEM THOUGH-
A few times under hard acceleration got loss of power, CEL, #2 and #4 misfire.  Then it did it bad with cruise light flashing as well.

I replaced coil pack today, it drives ok except for hard acceleration, #4 misfire. Forums seem to indicate "burnt valve" on the STIs etc...

I'll have to take it to garage, sigh.   
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 26, 2020, 07:14:58 PM
Took it in to garage and got coilpack, wires, & plugs changed.

*********** **************

In the meantime, Last Monday (MLK day) it was chilly but I had made appt to play disc golf with a work friend. Get in Miata, get charger, phone mount etc...  situated (I don't leave anything in the car cuz I always leave it unlocked) and drop the parking brake but the car won't budge. Try the handle a few times, no change. I figure it was just frozen.

I take Odyssey (40min drive) and play. Then I turn Odyssey on and the belt(s) were SQUEALING as loud as they ever go. I open the hood and don't see anything seized up. So I hope and pray and drive home. Lucky Miata parking brake that afternoon let up so I put a brick behind the downhill wheel and didn't set the brake overnight.

Get Impreza back and take Odyssey in. It turned out the bracket holding the alternator broke so the belt was sometimes barely turning because the tensioner wasn't able to keep it tight. They welded it.

Get Odyssey back and take Miata in. They say it's the caliper and not just parking cable. They put calipers and pads on. Go to pick it up is and CEL comes on in Impreza. So left Impreza there Saturday, on the way home I pull p-brake to check it, and brakes seize up some. I play with it and the car will move SOME, I was just a couple blocks from home so drove slow with hazards on, get out and one side is hot and smells like crazy.  The-pbrake doesn't hold the car on a hill so it's got a brick again.

SIGH ARGH   :rage:

********** ************** ***************

Getting groceries in Odyssey (Sandy) Saturday we saw a "gloss black pearl" 2012 Odyssey with 76k miles for sale for $12,500. 

We had been looking online from time to time, and that's a decent price. Has all the options we really want: backup cam (wife), sunroof (me), dual A/C (both), Bluetooth, rear DVD, leather, 8seats. We're going to look at it tomorrow. We'd pay cash and then need to sort out the other problems with Sandy and  Impreza, and figure which one to sell. I would prefer to keep Impreza, Sandy has almost quarter million miles and is just too big. But we've had issues with Impreza on and off, so for pure reliability Sandy might be better option.

We'll see!
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: MrH on January 27, 2020, 08:30:18 AM
You're a patient man.  I would have burned it all down and bought a bus pass.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 27, 2020, 09:08:18 AM
Quote from: MrH on January 27, 2020, 08:30:18 AM
You're a patient man.  I would have burned it all down and bought a bus pass.

:lol:

Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 27, 2020, 09:10:22 AM
They said Impreza issue is cat converter code. I'll swap Miata after work so they can look at brakes.

We have to register Impreza in October, VA safety inspection won't pass if the code doesn't go away. But we might be in a different state by then.... It's a double cat on one pipe so expensive!
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 12, 2021, 09:01:00 PM
Belts are squealing sometimes- at startup and while still cold if you turn the wheel.

I haven't actually looked at the belts, I'll do that tomorrow. But could it be steering pump or something else??.... 
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 12, 2021, 09:01:53 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 27, 2020, 09:10:22 AM
They said Impreza issue is cat converter code. I'll swap Miata after work so they can look at brakes.

We have to register Impreza in October, VA safety inspection won't pass if the code doesn't go away. But we might be in a different state by then.... It's a double cat on one pipe so expensive!

And replaced sensor and reset computer and issues didn't come back.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Gotta-Qik-C7 on January 12, 2021, 10:57:19 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 12, 2021, 09:01:00 PM
Belts are squealing sometimes- at startup and while still cold if you turn the wheel.

I haven't actually looked at the belts, I'll do that tomorrow. But could it be steering pump or something else??.... 
Sounds like the Power Steering Pump.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: CaminoRacer on January 12, 2021, 11:25:04 PM
Check the fluid level in the pump
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Soup DeVille on January 13, 2021, 04:10:35 AM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 27, 2020, 09:10:22 AM
They said Impreza issue is cat converter code. I'll swap Miata after work so they can look at brakes.

We have to register Impreza in October, VA safety inspection won't pass if the code doesn't go away. But we might be in a different state by then.... It's a double cat on one pipe so expensive!

Good chance its just a sensor. Also, the low efficiency cat codes can be made to go away long enough to get the inspection done just by disconnecting the battery for a few seconds.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 13, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
So the Steering reservoir has marks for "coldmin" and "coldmax" about half inch apart. It's about 40deg right now and it's apparently been 1/2" above "coldmax" for at least a year or two. :huh:
Cuz we haven't added or removed any fluid in forever and ever.

Belts look good.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 13, 2021, 04:38:01 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 13, 2021, 10:34:41 AM
So the Steering reservoir has marks for "coldmin" and "coldmax" about half inch apart. It's about 40deg right now and it's apparently been 1/2" above "coldmax" for at least a year or two. :huh:
Cuz we haven't added or removed any fluid in forever and ever.

Belts look good.

Odysseus? Is it a belt squeal or a power steering pump whine?
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 14, 2021, 05:20:16 AM
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on January 13, 2021, 04:38:01 PM
Odysseus? Is it a belt squeal or a power steering pump whine?

Impreza, definitely belt squealing.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 14, 2021, 10:18:24 AM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 14, 2021, 05:20:16 AM
Impreza, definitely belt squealing.

It has a manual belt tensioner, right?
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 14, 2021, 12:03:53 PM
Quote from: Eye of the Tiger on January 14, 2021, 10:18:24 AM
It has a manual belt tensioner, right?

yes, 2 belts, 2 tensioners.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: RomanChariot on January 14, 2021, 12:10:02 PM
My daughter drives a Mazda Protege with a similar setup. It turns out that the main belt on the Protege doesn't have very much wrap around on one of the pulleys so it will slip and squeal if it doesn't have a lot of tension. I bought new belts and tightened them to the point that you could only twist the belt about 90 degrees between your fingers on its longest run and that has kept it from squealing. Once the belt starts slipping it will glaze the belt and you will likely need to replace it.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 14, 2021, 01:14:59 PM
Yep, try more tension. If not, try a new belt and more tension. My Cherokee has a metric fuck ton of tension on the belt in order to drive my heavy duty fan clutch without slipping.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 14, 2021, 06:15:16 PM
Thanks guys, I'll give it a try
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 15, 2021, 08:48:07 AM
Tension it a little at a time, then tighten it down and see if the squeal stops. Then go another full turn-ish on the tensioner bolt.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 23, 2021, 06:31:59 PM
So there are two belts- one is just A/C.

The other goes around the power steering, water pump and the tension comes from adjusting the alternator position. Can't go any more tension because then the belt touches the bolt which holds the tensioner tight. :mask: :huh: 

Oil changed though.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 25, 2021, 08:28:23 AM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 23, 2021, 06:31:59 PM
So there are two belts- one is just A/C.

The other goes around the power steering, water pump and the tension comes from adjusting the alternator position. Can't go any more tension because then the belt touches the bolt which holds the tensioner tight. :mask: :huh: 

Oil changed though.

Sounds like it needs a new belt. That one is probably worn and stretched.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 25, 2021, 06:16:01 PM
No cracks at all. :huh: doesn't look glazed :huh:
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: FoMoJo on January 25, 2021, 06:18:05 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 25, 2021, 06:16:01 PM
No cracks at all. :huh: doesn't look glazed :huh:
Do belts crack or look glazed these days?  Thought they looked good until they stretched or snapped.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on January 25, 2021, 06:28:21 PM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 25, 2021, 06:16:01 PM
No cracks at all. :huh: doesn't look glazed :huh:

Wrong size?
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 25, 2021, 08:06:32 PM
Quote from: FoMoJo on January 25, 2021, 06:18:05 PM
Do belts crack or look glazed these days?  Thought they looked good until they stretched or snapped.

Just saying it doesn't appear worn at all. I guess it has a few years on it, wouldn't hurt to switch it (pretty easy job). Tomorrow supposed to rain, so I'll see if it squeals :huh:
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on January 31, 2021, 07:26:52 PM
Squealing went away. :huh: :confused:

It had been doing it for weeks. Maybe belt was too tight? It's a tiny tiny bit looser now.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Eye of the Tiger on February 01, 2021, 09:09:38 AM
 :wtf: :huh:
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: FoMoJo on February 01, 2021, 09:20:49 AM
Quote from: AutobahnSHO on January 31, 2021, 07:26:52 PM
Squealing went away. :huh: :confused:

It had been doing it for weeks. Maybe belt was too tight? It's a tiny tiny bit looser now.
Sometimes, it depends on the humidity.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on March 30, 2021, 07:37:04 AM
So last week the squeaking came back, plus a new squeak. I stopped for gas and popped the hood. The A/C belt was not on the pulleys at all (not broken nor frayed) and the pulley at the bottom (connected to crankshaft) was wobbling like crazy. Had it towed to dealer.

Apparently that pulley has a ton of rubber in it- to dampen vibrations. Still waiting for part, hopefully it'll get fixed today. Estimate is ~$650US.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: RomanChariot on March 30, 2021, 09:37:57 AM
I helped a lady once who had a Jaguar XJ that was making noise and her mechanic hadn't been able to diagnose it. It happened when you revved the engine. Looking at the engine while I revved it I noticed that the harmonic balancer on the crankshaft would move out away from the engine a little and that was causing the belt to make noise. The cost for a new harmonic balancer for her car was as much or more than the quote for your repair and that was without labor. I found a guy in Oregon that rebuilds harmonic balancers and I was able to get hers rebuilt for about $250. It looks like the aftermarket part for your car is around $50. I would guess the dealer will charge 2-3 times that plus the cost of new belts so the majority of the cost is in labor.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on April 02, 2021, 01:20:10 PM
Pulley was $200, both belts overpriced (almost double the usual $10 or so). Stupid amounts of $$ for labor, I probably could have just driven it home without issues and done it myself. Oh well!   $650 total.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on June 24, 2021, 07:33:33 AM
SOOOOOOO Impreza has been driving well minus the pulley issue resolved in April.

UNTIL I got on the highway from SC to DC Monday (june 21). Since the first time I pulled off from driving 70mph it's been missing at idle. Seems like power and regular driving are fine, but at idle (without AC at about 600rpms and with AC at 1k rpms) it randomly seems like it misses a fire every few seconds. It can be just one or a few at a time, it sputters so bad the entire car jerks a little.

I drove it on the highway more, driven it around town, and on the highway more. Been doing the same. NO CEL.  :shakesfist:

Ideas??...    :hmm:
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: CaminoRacer on June 24, 2021, 10:21:46 AM
Maybe try some fuel system cleaner. Could be clogged injectors. Or bad gas.
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: AutobahnSHO on June 24, 2021, 10:35:38 AM
Quote from: CaminoRacer on June 24, 2021, 10:21:46 AM
Maybe try some fuel system cleaner. Could be clogged injectors. Or bad gas.


AHHHHH Now that I think about it, we did have a CEL and ran some kind of magic fuel cleaner through it about a year ago?

I changed the fuel filter in the engine bay but may be time to examine more closely?

It's 2005, engine was changed out with used one 5 years/ 30k miles ago (kept overheating in GA so when we moved to NY we said screw it, it's probably damaged by now).
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: Submariner on June 24, 2021, 08:06:53 PM
Quote from: CaminoRacer on June 24, 2021, 10:21:46 AM
Maybe try some fuel system cleaner. Could be clogged injectors. Or bad gas.

Does that stuff actually work?
Title: Re: Impreza
Post by: CaminoRacer on June 24, 2021, 08:53:44 PM
Quote from: Submariner on June 24, 2021, 08:06:53 PM
Does that stuff actually work?

I don't think it does much for otherwise decent engines running good quality gas, since stuff like Chevron Techron are already added to the fuel. But it could possibly help for an engine with gummed up injectors or that had some bad gas running through it.

My old '96 Saturn only liked Shell gas (Chevron would probably work too, but didn't have those stations around) and would throw a CEL if you filled it up at a supermarket station or an old run down gas station. That engine seemed to benefit from some injector cleaner once a year.