Sluggish gear changing/Engine advice PLEASE :)

[gloryboy]

Hi all,

I'm hoping some people can help me out by giving me any advice into an issue I'm having. I'm completely lame when it comes to cars so I'm hoping for some patience (as I'm sure some would like to make fun of my noobiness )

I've got a standard my04 liberty wagon that seems to be 'sticking' in second and third gear. It also has problems as the engine seems to struggle/rumble (?) as a result. Also, it is very temperamental and with even the slightest push of the accelerator will jump back a gear and start revving hard. This is annoying because this is at speeds of around 70-80 when driving easy on straight roads. Can anyone give me some sort of ideas of what they think should be looked at (before I start looking for someone to help me on this issue).

Secondly, can someone please tell me if changing the car's ecu is a simple enough process (for someone who knows what they're doing). I'm got a 'hitachi' ecu when apparently I need a 'denso'. Someone suggested tuning may help my car out hence why I'm asking this question. Apparently tuning isn't of great advantage to the 2.5 libertys- would anyone like to contribute to this?

Any advice/comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your time. Cheers.

[gloryboy]

And if you have any advice on what to get to improve power in my sluggish wagon please also let me know

[blademaster]

Secondly, can someone please tell me if changing the car's ecu is a simple enough process (for someone who knows what they're doing). I'm got a 'hitachi' ecu when apparently I need a 'denso'.

Oh no, no no no, and most definitely no. Unless you have buckets of money to throw at this =)

Someone suggested tuning may help my car out hence why I'm asking this question. Apparently tuning isn't of great advantage to the 2.5 libertys

Correct! Alas, the 2.5s stock tune is pretty much the best you can wring out of that motor. XtremeRaceTuning (forum user west_minist) has had some success at getting some extra power out of them, but only specific non-turbos (alas, non-Hitachi ecu Libs).

Hey, if you want a spare Hitachi to play with, I have one that is lying here on my desk.

Also, judging by the problem you described, I take it your car is an auto?

[gloryboy]

Cheers for your reply man.

Yeah it's an auto. It's frustrating the shit out of me atm though lol.

I have talked to Edward (west minst) before about this and he was the one who told me I need denso because apparently the hitachis don't work with the ecu software or something.

[blademaster]

yah it seems like this "denso" ecu is available for all suby models except Libs from 2004. Our 2.0/2.5 2004 models (non-turbo) seem to be a hole, where the ecu is non-tunable, and a lot of the available wiring diagrams for the ecu and CAN bus are incorrect/inaccurate (or simply don't exist), so your ecu swap becomes infinitely more difficult (and the cost goes up as well).
TBH, I had never heard of denso ecus before, until I did some googleing earlier.

Can't really help with the car sticking in 2nd/3rd gear, could be an issue with your auto box (I drive a manual). Take it to the service centre I guess. Anyone else had the same issue with an auto box?

[silverlib08]

give subaru gearbox australia a call this guy specializers in rebuilding these boxes i was talking to him over the week end, he says the year model u have has alot of problems with the torque converter, im not saying this is your problem but give him a call he will be able to tell u wats wrong

Subaru Gearboxes Australia
Ph: 02 9915 9900
Mobile: 0420 319 049

[gloryboy]

give subaru gearbox australia a call this guy specializers in rebuilding these boxes i was talking to him over the week end, he says the year model u have has alot of problems with the torque converter, im not saying this is your problem but give him a call he will be able to tell u wats wrong

Subaru Gearboxes Australia
Ph: 02 9915 9900
Mobile: 0420 319 049

Cheers mate I'll buzz him tomorrow!

[gloryboy]

give subaru gearbox australia a call this guy specializers in rebuilding these boxes i was talking to him over the week end, he says the year model u have has alot of problems with the torque converter, im not saying this is your problem but give him a call he will be able to tell u wats wrong

Subaru Gearboxes Australia
Ph: 02 9915 9900
Mobile: 0420 319 049

Called Nori today, sounds like a good bloke. Going to see him friday afternoon, I'll keep you updated.
Cheers for the recommendation again mate!

[Dropz]

It may be as simple as changing the fluid and filter and resetting the auto trans ecu memory.

[gloryboy]

It may be as simple as changing the fluid and filter and resetting the auto trans ecu memory.

The auto trans fluid was changed not too long ago.
To reset the ecu, does that require some special process or is it as easy as disconnecting the battery?

I had the clutch pack changed not too long ago as it was causing a binding issue at low speeds.
However I'm skeptical as to whether the guy really changed it as he came across like he was hiding something (some have suggested to me he may have just reset the ecu and still charged me 1200). Like I said earlier I'm not good with mechanics so hopefully if something bigger needs to be done I'll get Nori to tell me if it looks like the clutches have been changed or not. Any advice on this is welcome too.

[Dropz]

Was it binding at low speeds when turning? If so it was the centre diff not the clutch packs in the trans. It's very rare for clutch packs to wear out in an auto trans.

To reset the ecu you can disconnect the battery for an hour and reconnect it, turn the ignition to ON for 10 seconds then start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes. Go for a drive around the block, drive it as you normally would so it can learn your driving style. Don't be too cautious to test if its still got an issue at first, give it a chance to relearn how to respond to your driving. 10-15 minute drive should be plenty.

[gloryboy]

Was it binding at low speeds when turning? If so it was the centre diff not the clutch packs in the trans. It's very rare for clutch packs to wear out in an auto trans.

To reset the ecu you can disconnect the battery for an hour and reconnect it, turn the ignition to ON for 10 seconds then start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes. Go for a drive around the block, drive it as you normally would so it can learn your driving style. Don't be too cautious to test if its still got an issue at first, give it a chance to relearn how to respond to your driving. 10-15 minute drive should be plenty.

Yep exactly, binding at low speeds.

He didn't mention anything about fixing the centre diff (which I had also heard it might be), so I'm thinking he was a dodgy bastard. Hopefully if I get someone to look at the clutch pack in the near future it would be new enough to see if it was recently changed. If it turns out he stuffed me over I'm ready to tear shreds off him haha.

I'll reset the ecu either tm or Thursday. I'll let you know how it goes. Cheers man!

[gloryboy]

Was it binding at low speeds when turning? If so it was the centre diff not the clutch packs in the trans. It's very rare for clutch packs to wear out in an auto trans.

To reset the ecu you can disconnect the battery for an hour and reconnect it, turn the ignition to ON for 10 seconds then start the car and let it idle for 5 minutes. Go for a drive around the block, drive it as you normally would so it can learn your driving style. Don't be too cautious to test if its still got an issue at first, give it a chance to relearn how to respond to your driving. 10-15 minute drive should be plenty.

Hey man. Had a go just then resetting the ecu. On first drive it did feel smoother on the changes, but I'm going to give it a bit then have another slightly harder drive tonight.

Looking promising though! Saved $65 're-learning' it myself! Haha