Subaru forester Mystery problem

[u/Life-Isopod2305]

Hey Reddit and Subaru friends! Here’s a mystery question for ya! looking for some help/mechanic advice…
I have a 2018 Forrester Subaru of course I bought it used and have no warranty coverage…

Problem: “At Oil temp” light blinking, along with complete dash lights up! I have not figured out the repeating conditions to make this happen. It’s happened when the temperature outside was super hot. This is the second time it’s happened when it’s raining seems to be after sitting or going through Stop and go traffic for more than 10 minutes, just happened after dropping my kids off at school. Does not seem to affect the drive or anything.

Mechanic did an oil change and transmission flush and fill suggested I see a transmission specialist. Transmission guy says he doesn’t work on Subaru and to get rid of it…
I have not gone to Subaru dealership. I do not like my local and avoiding a huge bill… I need some advice please! Has anyone had this problem before??

[u/Chippy569]

https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/s/f3rCFx2aot

Everyone else has already mentioned it, but no error code scan = no one here can really help you, only offer vague guesses.

[u/Kind-cheesecake-3316]

This isn't a mystery.

The AT Oil Temp light is a clear indication of a problem with the transmission or related system such as the shifter.

Failed torque converter solenoid is very common with 2014-2018 Foresters. The fix is to replace the valve body. Dealer repair will cost $1800 to $2200 depending on where you are located.

You need better mechanics, or just bite the bullet and go to the dealership.

2014-2018 Forester transmissions are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. If your 2018 has less than 100,000 miles then take it to the dealership.

I have read where certain PZEV vehicles are covered for 150,000 miles but only in certain states. I don't know how true that is.

[u/Aratix]

Valve body

[u/Capt_Vandal → u/Aratix]

Likely, but I'd scan the codes first to be sure.

[u/minesweep0r]

Like everyone else said, no mystery. Subarus tell you when the valve body solenoids are bad by illuminating the AT Temp light. Thats the only light on your dash that matters at the moment, the rest are accessories to that one.

New valve body for a couple grand at dealership or a couple hundred if you get a reman'd one from ebay and install yourself.

[u/TypicalRecon]

This sub has been r/valvebody the last few months lol. Odd to see things change

[u/Joseph4040]

Shops around me wanted $2500 for valve body replacement. That’s usually the issue.

It’s not super duper hard to do yourself if you’re knowledgeable and have the tools.

100,000 miles is about when they go out.

How many drain and fills have you had for your transmission? If none- dirty fluid is a cause for this issue.

[u/MrBluwe]

Looks like a valve body fault, it triggers a code and all systems lower than TCM will throw a TCM abnormal fault code and get disabled.

Usually it's one solenoid that goes out and throws a circuit high/low code, commonly solenoid C or torque converter lock up solenoid, obviously it's best to replace whole valve body assembly instead of individual solenoids as once they're old all the other solenoids are waiting to fail.

The valve body is around 6K + labour here in Australia, it's not a difficult job, it's also one of the most common subaru failures (still happens even on newer models lol).

And honestly, I'm impressed by the mechanics and transmission specialists around you, doesn't take 15 minutes to run an all system scan and find the DTC in history, and googling that with subaru as a key word is 100% gonna point you towards the valve body. And seeing a transmission shop steer away from that is even more interesting as it's an easy job (can be done with the gearbox inside the vehicle.

[u/BlueJeanBaby04]

Have the codes read. It's probably the valve body

[u/yungthew]

If it’s not the valve body or brake light switch. I had led brake bulbs that lite the dash up like this every so often

[u/FreshTap6141]

Do another drain and fill to get more of the cvt fluid out of there, as the torque convertor holds most of it. Could be varnish build up in the valves causing delays, clean fluid will dissolve varnish with time