AT Hard Shifting issues Poll
 

I just was curious to see who if all have this issue as described in these threads:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80500
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79886
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88758


The issue occurs at around 0:14 in this video:
Sorry Guys video was deleted by me by accident awhile back I had a long hiatus away from the forums and didn't realize it was for this whoops!


Essentially, downshifting in manual mode does not rev match at times, and up-shifts become harsh, also in drive the shifting becomes rough as well, the issue disappears when restarting the car, it also does not appear if the car has been started and driven only in manual mode.

It seems a lot of people are having this issue, just wanted to know how widespread it is and like other issues if this TSB has fixed it: S-SB-0021-15
as that is the only recent TSB that effects our AT transmissions in any way. (subaru TSBs 16-96-15 which seems really similar:TCM Reprogramming File Availability for Engine Idle RPM Fluctuation on 6AT- Equipped Models)



EDIT AS OF 1/3/2016:


ISSUES ARE FIXED!!!! The TSB here S-SB-0021-15 can pretty much be confirmed to fix the issues that occurs after using drive for a period of time or after cruise control use including: failing to rev match, weird idle, late shifts and lurching in drive.

FOR SUBARU BR-Zs:
It is TSB #16-96-15

TCM Reprogramming File Availability for Engine Idle RPM Fluctuation on 6AT- Equipped Models

This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files for optimizing the Transmission Control Module (TCM) on all 2015 and some early-production 2016MY vehicles to control an engine idle speed fluctuation condition when in Park or Neutral. The cause is incorrect operation of a back-up program the TCM uses in the event of a turbine speed sensor problem. Affected vehicles may see a fluctuation of approximately 200 rpm (between 600 – 800 rpm idle speed).

Here is a list of owners that had the new TCM logic flash as per the TSB instructions and no longer have transmission issues:
1. aa_chow
2. Mini&aVette
3. soulreapersteve
4. MidwestFRS
5. FRSBRZGT86FAN
6. V_86
7. MechEGR
8 DashRipRock
9.Cole
10.KalbiCool88
11.Hoggensteen
12.inio
13.punisherfan
14.euthqt
15.KalbiCool88
16.Simplisticx3


Also noticed after the re-flash was that shifts in manual mode are increasingly snappier and in drive are noticeably smoother. Bottom line is if you have AT and a 2015-2016 experiencing issues that have been mentioned print out the TSB, take it to the dealer requesting it be done regardless of VIN, if you have a 2013 or 2014 you can try to get them to do it no guarantees as to what they will say however.

My dealer replaced my ECU, other than that, they've been telling me that this is how the car was designed and they are making it near impossible for me to get it looked at. Such as telling me they need the car for a day or more, and then not being willing to give me a rental.

There are too many AT issues threads so I'll post this here. Everything was fine and dandy since I bought it and 8200 miles... until yesterday. 99% of the time since September, I've been driving in manual mode.

Went on a group drive and filled up the tank at the local gas station there. Fairly busy Chevron station. As always, I triple check to make sure I'm using Supreme/Premium grade. Right after I pulled out onto the street, I started to notice something odd.

Whenever I upshifted, the transmission seemed to hesitate a second longer than usual then it would shift. Whenever I downshifted, I noticed the needle drop to where an MT would stall (7-800 rpm, iirc?) then it would lazily/slowly rise and shift with no "throttle blip" rev matching. Before, it would near instantly throttle blip rev match whenever I shifted down.

Also when downshifting while coming to a stop, extremely heavy engine braking would occur. I make sure to never put heavy loads onto the engine while coming to a stop. From 2 to 1, I downshift at about 15 miles per hour or ~1800 rpm. Engine braking would happen but since yesterday, it would kick in and actually snap my neck back against the seat, the car "bucking like a horse". Used to never do that before yesterday. Yes yes, I do know it's recommended to let the computer downshift to 1 on it's own but I can't see how it would drastically affect anything as long as you dont shift down at high speeds/load. (I also love how the exhaust sounds while downshifting...)

I tried switching to auto mode, auto/sport mode, back to manual mode and still same issue. Tried turning off the car during the drive while taking a rest break yesterday and same issue.

Drove the car around town for about 4 hours today. First 2 hours, same issues. Then the latter half, it seemed fine again. Got throttle blip rev matching during downshifts and upshifts werent lazy anymore. Also when coming to a stop, engine braking wasn't heavy anymore, felt the same as before.

For now, I will attribute my issues to that damn tank of gas. I haven't filled up since yesterday and it's sitting at less than 1/4th right now. Trying to run it down as much as I safely can then fill up at my usual station. I honestly don't know if that's the cause, still learning the technical aspects of cars in general. But to a simpleton like myself, it is way too much of a coincidence that the issue started happening right after the fill up.

I do hope it really was the bad gas because my car's VIN is after the VIN listed in the most recently listed TSB. :(

If anyone wants to chime in, please do! Knowledge is power, especially in my case. I will be sure to report back tomorrow on my way to work if the issues are still occurring.

I experienced that the other day. I figured it was because I just had my 2nd car maintenance done last weekend. :iono:

So reporting back here as stated yesterday. Had plenty of time in traffic to test out if issues are still happening regarding rev matching and hesitation during up and downshifts.

Looks like things are back to as they were before. Shifting right when I want it. No more lazy downshifts with heavy engine braking and upshifts are quick too.

Really do hope it was an isolated incident and a bad tank of gas. I'll keep monitoring for another week then brush it off.

Me happy again :D

Now I have to find out why the car's clock was ahead 40 minutes.

It most definitely is not designed that way, dealers are ridiculous

Find a new dealer. Mine has been nothing but helpful and they have given me rental cars for 4+ days twice now while they look into this hard shifting issue.

I've had two FRS autos. Both have had the issue. Both have it nearly always when I go back and forth from D to M following driving at highway speeds. Both have accompanying rev hunting issue when put in park after hard shifting starts. The only "fix" is to immediately start in M when going on a spirited drive, OR reset the computer by restarting car at a light or stop sign. At the next service I will point out the TSB for the rev hunting and see if it does anything.

UPDATE: had the TSB done, so far so good, but I will give it a week and report back.

Only issue I have is when I get the tranny really hot like 5k + RPM for long periods of time. It starts to feel like the clutch plates are slipping or something. But other then that she is holding up well.

Has anybody with the hard shifting issue tried the TSB for idle hunting yet?? I tried to get it done but they had problems flashing my TCM.

My issues are very similar to yours. I was able to replicate in front if a tech and agreed something was very wrong. I got the car back a week later and the manager confronted me stating this is normal l operation. I'm like seriously?? I don't think they want to really help. Ive been 4 times.

This might have been discussed before. But do you think its a software issue or hardware? I remember somewhere on these forums they were discussing tranny oil tolerances and how heat directly affects the tranny and leads to poor performance. With that said has anyone installed a transmission oil cooler and reported any issues we are seeing?

My dealer and I are sure it's a software issue, mainly due to the fact that the issues completely go away after restarting the car.

Looking at the poll so far, this is almost positively only an issue in 2015's