When I put the transmission in gear it will not accelerate

CASEYHELMS

MEMBER
1999 SUBARU LEGACY
280,000 MILES

Okay, so the car will dial fine and it will rev up if it is in park or neutral, however when I put the car in gear it will not accelerate. If it’s on a hill and is facing down it it will slowly begin to accelerate and once it gets over 1,000 or so it’s fine and will run and drive all day until you come to a complete stop then the problem starts all over. I have replaced plugs wires and it didn’t change the problem. Any help would be great it’s my wife’s only car and I’m lost on what to do!

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,313 POSTS

Hello,

It sounds like you are having an issue with eh PCM. To be sure lets run the codes here is a guide to help us get started:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please run down this guide and report back.

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Friday, April 19th, 2019 AT 12:44 PM

CASEYHELMS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I don’t have access to a scan tool at the moment any other ways to check that or possibly other things that it could be. Could it be a vacuum leak or possibly a fuel mixture problem?

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Sunday, April 21st, 2019 AT 10:29 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,313 POSTS

Yes is sounds like you have a clogged catalytic converter. here are two guides to help us see what is going on:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-catalytic-converter

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Monday, April 22nd, 2019 AT 1:40 PM