"pghsprings" <u25120@uwe> wrote;

>I have a 1992 Loyale that is MINT condition. It has 21000 original miles.
>The other day it stopped changing gears. It is an automatic and stays in 1st
>gear when I put it in Drive. It will not shift any higer. It will go into
>2nd if I move it to the 2 on the shifter. It goes in Reverse (R) and seems
>to work fine when backing up.

>Subaru is saying it needs a complete Transminssion.

>Any Ideas on anything else it could be?

I just looked at my 92 Loyale auto and it has a modulator valve.

There is a metal and rubber hose that goes from the top
of the engine to the transmission modulator valve. I live
in the forrest and the squirrels (sometimes mice) like to eat the
rubber parts, especially vacuum hoses, for breakfast when a car sits
in the same place for very long. With only 21K miles on yours,
I assume it sits a lot. .

Without a vacuum supply to the modulator valve, the transmission will
not shift. The hose can also be easily knocked off from the top of the engine
accidentally. I would assume that if the Suby mechanic
checked it at all, he might have missed a bit sized morsel
missing from the modulator valve hose.

The hose is totally visible from the top of the engine compartment and
goes down to the transmission on the passenger
side along beside a pair of wires on mine. Then up to the top
of the engine close to the front of the engine..

I assume you have checked all the normal things like fluid levels
and the like. Of course, the rubber hose could just have gone bad after
14 years as well.

Good luck and let us know if that was it. We have more ideas.

Almost any mechanic of any kind of car will know what a modulator
valve is and can check that hose for you.

The Ole' Rep (not Subaru)

P.S. If they replace your transmission, can I have your old one?<Grin>