Flashing AT light - what does it mean?

[slowsti]

hey guys i got in my 97 bd auto the other day to turn it on and when i did the trans oil temp light was flashing and then went away. Now whenever i start the car it always comes on for about 7 seconds flashing then it turns off. Does anyone know what this means?

[birukun]

It means your transmission is dead. I will take it off your hands. (see my thread about metal bits in the fluid)

Seriously though, the light is the A/T temp light. It flashes when there is an error in the TCU (Transmission Control Unit).

There is a way to get a 'code' out of it by using a jumper and counting flashes. I have not had to do it, but I know instructions are over on NASIOC.

"Remember kids, flashing A/T light - OK. Not great, but OK. Flashing Check Engine Light BAD!!!!!"

[decke48]

this is how you pull codes for your bd
memory
1 If possible, drive the vehicle above 20km/h until transmission reaches operating temperature.
2 With ignition ON and engine OFF place gear selector into position 1.
3 Turn hold switch ON.
4 Cycle the ignition switch OFF-ON
5 Move gear selector into position 2 and turn the hold switch OFF.
6 Move gear selector into position 3 and turn the hold switch ON.
7 Move gear selector into "Drive" and turn the hold switch OFF.
8 Depress the throttle pedal and release.
9 The power light should be flashing.
10 Read codes as described in the Code Format Description below.
present
1 If possible, drive the vehicle above 20km/h until transmission reaches operating temperature.
2 With ignition ON and engine OFF place transmission into "Drive" and turn the hold switch ON.
3 Cycle the ignition switch OFF-ON
4 Move gear selector into position 3 and turn the hold switch OFF.
5 Move gear selector into position 2 and turn the hold switch ON.
6 Move gear selector into position 1 and turn the hold switch OFF.
7 Depress the throttle pedal and release.
8 The power light should be flashing.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/LONGSHORTpng-1.jpg
• Each code is made up of two series of flashes.
• The long flashes indicate the 'tens' digits.
• The short flashes indicate the 'ones' digits.
• A long pause separates each code sequence.
• Code Format Diagram shows code No. 12.
post the code up

[slowsti]

10 Read codes as described in the Code Format Description below.
https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/02/LONGSHORTpng-1.jpg
• Each code is made up of two series of flashes.
• The long flashes indicate the 'tens' digits.
• The short flashes indicate the 'ones' digits.
• A long pause separates each code sequence.
• Code Format Diagram shows code No. 12.
post the code up[/quote]


i dont get this part?

[Huffer]

1 = long flash = 10
2 = short flash = 1

ie. LONG-SHORT-SHORT = 12 = code 12

[kevbot]

I've got the same problem, but whats the hold switch?

[slowsti]

awesome thanks guys i get it now...

[kevbot]

I would follow the same instructions but i don't think I heve a "HOLD" switch!

What should I do?

[decke48]

when subaru first used the 4eat they had a hold button then a manual button. but 95+ (exepet svx) dont have them anymore. these were the instructions giving to me through a FSM for car up to 2006. so i'd try to just ignore the hold button part

[kevbot]

I tried but it didn't do any thing!?! I'll try again...

[kirbyy]

:( your trany is dying ;_; sorry to say.

I had to go thourhg the same issuel if you need a place to get a cheap but warranted transmsision from PM me and I'll tell them to you!

[Stang70Fastback]

:( your trany is dying ;_; sorry to say.

I had to go thourhg the same issuel if you need a place to get a cheap but warranted transmsision from PM me and I'll tell them to you!

I don't think it necessarily means there is something wrong with the tranny. If your car stalls while you are moving, a lot of times when you restart it the AT Temp light will blink for a few seconds. I think it's just some kind of error sometimes.

[kirbyy]

:( your trany is dying ;_; sorry to say.

I had to go thourhg the same issuel if you need a place to get a cheap but warranted transmsision from PM me and I'll tell them to you!

I don't think it necessarily means there is something wrong with the tranny. If your car stalls while you are moving, a lot of times when you restart it the AT Temp light will blink for a few seconds. I think it's just some kind of error sometimes.

Well,that could be right..the best way to find out is if you can get your car to a subie dealer so they can hook up the computer and scan your computer for codes, a standard OBD2 tester can not do this, since the codes are kept in the TCU.

In my experience, if the tranny stalls out and it's an automatic it's on it's way out and it can be a Solenoid C issue, do you experience torque bind at all? (not sure if you posted this up there earlier) because sadly I had the same experience bought the car; the next day AT OIL TEMP light, and a month later the car was dead as the tranny wouldn't engage into gear.

If you can do the above test, by hooking up the 2 negatives into the test port; that'd be best to see if you can get the AT oil temp light to flash an error to you!

[Stang70Fastback]

Well,that could be right..the best way to find out is if you can get your car to a subie dealer so they can hook up the computer and scan your computer for codes, a standard OBD2 tester can not do this, since the codes are kept in the TCU.

In my experience, if the tranny stalls out and it's an automatic it's on it's way out and it can be a Solenoid C issue, do you experience torque bind at all? (not sure if you posted this up there earlier) because sadly I had the same experience bought the car; the next day AT OIL TEMP light, and a month later the car was dead as the tranny wouldn't engage into gear.

If you can do the above test, by hooking up the 2 negatives into the test port; that'd be best to see if you can get the AT oil temp light to flash an error to you!

I see what you're saying, but I know for a fact that the flashing light in my case is just a side effect when the engine shuts down while the car is running. Why? Because 40-50k miles ago, the head gaskets were gone on our car and it would always overheat. I'd have to turn the engine off while I was driving a lot of times, and then start it up when the temp dropped back down again and that would cause the AT Temp light to blink. The reason I've been experiencing it lately is because of the stuttering issue I have in that ridiculously long thread. So I don't think it's because of my tranny... unless it's been dying for the last 50k miles...

[OutbackMat]

I got the light last year. The solenoid in the center (if you can call it that) diff needed to be replaced. But before we did that, we had the trans flushed with about 20 qts of fluid to make sure the diff wasn't being held together by sludge.

The question remains: are you experiencing torque-bind? We'd notice it around sharp, low-speed turns and when trying to reverse and turn out of a parking space. Normally, the car would idle itself out of the spot--when we cut the wheel, it would stop.

[Okin DaVanh]

I got the light last year. The solenoid in the center (if you can call it that) diff needed to be replaced. But before we did that, we had the trans flushed with about 20 qts of fluid to make sure the diff wasn't being held together by sludge.

The question remains:


***Insert favorite game song here***


And here's the Question :smt023 : Did you have the same code present as his?


So now the question is:

Will he need or not need a tranny-- after --he finds out if he even has a code?

***Jeopardy clock tick goes here*** :smt017

[OutbackMat]

And here's the Question :smt023 : Did you have the same code present as his?

I was unable to retreive a code with the "handshake" procedure. Although I also didn't hear anything about jumping out a connection either. The symptom was torque bind from the rear and flushing the diffs didn't fix it. Next on the list was to Inspect and test the solenoid and found she was stuck. All this electronic whiz-bangery makes my head hurt--mechanical diagnosis FTW!

[Stang70Fastback]

The question remains: are you experiencing torque-bind? We'd notice it around sharp, low-speed turns and when trying to reverse and turn out of a parking space. Normally, the car would idle itself out of the spot--when we cut the wheel, it would stop.

Whoopse sorry forgot the answer. Yes, it had REALLY BAD torque bind, but that was resolved this past summer with all of my summer job earnings via a new clutch pack :(

[OutbackMat]

I wonder if you're supposed to reset the TCU? I know on some modern EATs, you need to.

[kevbot]

I've had the AT Temp light blinking since I bought the car. I couldn't get the shifter trick to flash me any codes. The engine HAS been rebuilt (or replaced) and starts/runs strong, but vibrates at stops like "VROOM-va-vroom vroom vroom vroom... The transmission has 214600 miles original but does not show ANY sign of mis-shift or kill in it, and I'm pretty rough on it. The exhaust manifolds were replaced with Borola headers, then connect to the original exhaust/tailpipe. My question is; is the light flashing because of a sensor/computer code problem, or is it happening due to mechanical failure/overheating, AND how can I find out?

KEV-BOT

[spooner]

Hey guys, I'm having the same issues with my 99 leggy wagon. I'm having torque bind issues and the AT Temp light is blinking constantly. I bought the car knowing it had bad head gaskets. The car drove fine and had no torque binding issues and the car shifted smoothly and the AT Temp light was not blinking. So i pulled the motor, did the head gaskets and put everything back together. Now, the car runs great, but it torque binds when turning slowly and the AT Temp light flashes, and the car seems not to shift correctly, as if it was low on trans fluid when its not... The car has 186k, trans fluid is clean and smells fine, no discoloration. Im just stumped on what it could be. Could also be an error on my part as well, maybe i over looked something when i re-installed the engine. So can anyone help me out.??

Thanks guys.

[kevbot]

i've had the AT Temp light blinking since I bought the car. I couldn't get the shifter trick to flash me any codes. The engine HAS been rebuilt (or replaced) and starts/runs strong, but vibrates at stops like "VROOM-va-vroom vroom vroom vroom... The transmission has 214600 miles original but does not show ANY sign of mis-shift or kill in it, and I'm pretty rough on it. The exhaust manifolds were replaced with Borola headers, then connect to the original exhaust/tailpipe. My question is; is the light flashing because of a sensor/computer code problem, or is it happening due to mechanical failure/overheating, AND how can I find out?

KEV-BOT

any one?

[tougemachine]

And here's the Question :smt023 : Did you have the same code present as his?

I was unable to retreive a code with the "handshake" procedure. Although I also didn't hear anything about jumping out a connection either. The symptom was torque bind from the rear and flushing the diffs didn't fix it. Next on the list was to Inspect and test the solenoid and found she was stuck. All this electronic whiz-bangery makes my head hurt--mechanical diagnosis FTW!


ok it hurts my head too. wich is the method you used to fix it and what solenoid. sorry

[OutbackMat]

And here's the Question :smt023 : Did you have the same code present as his?

I was unable to retreive a code with the "handshake" procedure. Although I also didn't hear anything about jumping out a connection either. The symptom was torque bind from the rear and flushing the diffs didn't fix it. Next on the list was to Inspect and test the solenoid and found she was stuck. All this electronic whiz-bangery makes my head hurt--mechanical diagnosis FTW!


ok it hurts my head too. wich is the method you used to fix it and what solenoid. sorry

It was the solenoid on the very back (headlights = front) of the transmission--the one that engages the rear driveshaft. I no longer remember what it's called exactly, but someone familiar with it at Subaru would know. As soon as it was replaced (with the trans fluid--again) everything worked great.

[Huffer]

^^ Duty Solenoid C

[95USsubaru]

and this would cost....how much?