Maybe a stupid question... Why does my 4EAT downshift???

[harrymaneuvers]

I have noticed that if I am going up a hill... and doing a decent speed (between 50-70 mph) when I get to the top of the hill (which is now flat) and start to slow down for a red light or stop sign, my 4EAT steps down from 4th to 3rd within a few seconds of me stepping on the break to begin to slow. Or sometimes just letting off the gas, if I start to go down a hill, will cause it to downshift.

Is this normal operation???

It seems odd because I dont remember it always doing this... I seem to remember if I was going 65 mph and I had to break hard for a red light... it would simply drop the RPM with the speed untill it got down to around 1k or so.

Anybody experience this???

[anothernord]

Its trying to engine-brake. It essentially puts less wear on your brakes.

[harrymaneuvers]

So it is completely normal operation??? It seems like it is selective about when it does it...

[Robbks]

don;t get "downshifting" confused with the torque converter locking up completely when coasting downhill.

if you're driving along in conditions where the TC is not fully locked up, then you start to coast down a hill, the TCU will lock the converter to provide engine braking depending on engine load, rpm, road-speed, etc, ect
if however you're coasting along a flat piece of road, it may not lock the converter and this will allow the revs to drop very low.

but when pulling up to traffic lights, i can physically feel my auto down-shifting quite considerably (freshly re-built box with heavy duty clutch-packs/ bands and higher line presures)

[harrymaneuvers]

It is definitely downshifting because I will watch my tach go from 1700 to 3000 as I step on the brake or start to slow.

Edit... Well maybe not...

If I let up off of the gas the RPM's will drop... how much i dont know for sure (I will check tonight). Maybe when I hit my brake... it is just taking my engine RPM back up to speed with the tranny? Is that what you are saying?

So basically when I let up off of the gas... the tranny "disengages" (<---- not sure if this is the right word) and RPM's start to creep down towards idle... then when I step on the brake... it lets the engine know that it is ok to bring the tranny back into the mix to help the engine slow down?

Sorry for the horrible lingo...

Bottom line: This is the way my 4EAT is supposed to operate correct?

[Robbks]

that's what i was saying

-you're cruising along the road doing 60Mph @3000rpm, if you're on constant throttle and not accelerating the Torque Converter is in it's "locked" position/ state
-if you back right off, the rpm's will drop as the TC unlocks
-The TCU (Transmission Control Unit) then makes some decisions on what load the car is under and what you're doing with it and in your case, it decides you need some engine braking assistance, so it locks up the TC again, and as such rpm's rise to match the road speed

perfectly normal behavious

[ouch1011]

Must be a phase 2 trans deal. My 98 didn't do that. But I *believe* they made a bunch of minor changes to the transmissions starting in 99.

[Robbks]

Mine is fitted with the JDM spec, 4EAT with VTD
as is the JDM and AUDM 97-00 GC8 WRX's
the USDM MY99 possibly received the same VTD box?

can you put a "towing" fuse in yours to make if FWD? or doe inserting the fuse make the centre-diff "locked" (as is the case with the VTD)

much better box than the early 4EAT's

[ouch1011]

Mine had the FWD fuse. And yes, it sucked. Thats why its now sitting in the corner in the garage and a 5mt is in the car. :)

[Robbks]

sorry, i was referring to the OP having the FWD fuse

anyone have some specs for the USDM vehicle in question?

[mike-tracy]

The 1st vehicle we got with the VTD was the '01 Limited H6 Outback.