[Cactus99]

Hiya


Harness, first thing to test. Per the TSB


From the parts site:

• Part Number: 31000AK130
• Transmission Assembly Number: TR690S61DA

So, from that, we note:

• No Supercessions (does not replace a previous part number).
• Same Assembly number
• Also, I happen to know that's the same part number that's been listed for ages. I mention it here, for one.

Torque converter hasn't changed either... Part Number: 31100AB460, no supercessions.

If they can get you the different part number(s), I'd love that. Parts.Subaru website is sometimes slow to update, but, since there's not a single TSB supporting their claim, I think they're referring to a different part number being changed, and not the CVT.

The Warranty Part Number will be different, btw, just like below where I indicate part number and warranty part number for the CVT fluid. But, if they provide that, I can cross reference it.

IMPORTANT:
If they are replacing it with 31000AK140, then have them STOP, and call Techline. That's actually assembly TR690G61DA for the BASE TRIM Ascent CVT (non water cooled version). If they thought that was the "new" part number because of the higher number, they're wrong.

The trailing zero is the number that gets replaced on an updated part... so, yours would be 31000AK131 if there was a revision 1 (or an "A", such as "31000AK13A").

BTW, there's no 31000AK131 or 31000AK1A.


AND FINALLY:
SOA748V0300/SOA635312 (Part number/warranty part number) is the only compatible CVT fluid. They cannot use CVT fluid for previous TR690s (they can, but it WILL damage your replacement CVT).

Hope that helps.

(oh, and here's the TSB related to the code your car threw)

Hi Robert, thanks for the specificity of information.

If you wouldn't mind humoring the perpetually slow here (ME), I have a couple of questions - that may be obvious to all except me.

1) With regard to the Transmission fluid: A) Has there always been two types for the TR690? And is this based on model? Base vs. the other three trims? For some reason, I thought all Ascents come with a tranny cooler? Or is the difference based on changes since the transmission issues became known? What's the story with this exactly?

2) You alluded to the fact above that the transmission issue is really a wiring harness issue. Is that across the board and definitive now? So the issue has been solved or diagnosed?

3) So if the issue is the wiring harness', does the faulty harness somehow damage/fry the tranny? Is that why both the tranny's and the harness' are being replaced in many if not most cases that we read about?

Thanks for your patience!

 

[PdxOwner]

I think that at this point it's up to you & personal. No right or wrong path. Since you keep your cars for 3-5 years only. Your transmission along with the powertrain is covered for 5yrs/56K miles beyond your 3yr/36k bumper to bumper warranty. So you are covered for possible repairs if needed anyway. So no real need to sell and incur a loss. If you just hate the vehicle, it does not suit your needs & will traumatize you if you keep it, then trade it in for something you think will better meet your needs. I think the choice should be easy. But it's based on your "feelings & needs". No one else here can make a recommendation based on those. Lastly with regard to taking the Lemon Law route: From my perspective, why? You have a car that had a fault and in the end the fault was remedied? Lemon Laws are awesome for folks who have ongoing problems and/or are denied a remedy for their very real problems. I come from a family of lawyers, though I am not a lawyer myself. Our general family consensus may be a bit old school - lawsuits are actions of last resort. Why mess with a lawsuit and all the unnecessary drama and time associated with it, if it is unnecessary. Again, whether you feel that you have been wronged to that extent and feel as though you were not treated in good faith and in a reasonable amount of time and attempts is up to you to decide. Good luck.

Thanks for this. I too am a "litigate as a last resort" lawyer (and never have) so I get that. I guess my biggest going forward concern -- assuming the car doesn't continue to have problems -- is whether the car is worth less than it otherwise would be if I go to sell it in a few years.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Hi @Cactus99

1) With regard to the Transmission fluid: A) Has there always been two types for the TR690? And is this based on model? Base vs. the other three trims? For some reason, I thought all Ascents come with a tranny cooler? Or is the difference based on changes since the transmission issues became known? What's the story with this exactly?

There have been other fluids for the TR690 and TR580. In total, from the last ten years, I have counted five (and may have missed one or two) as the fluids are refined over time. There has always only been one for our Ascent's TR690 (the part number I mention). That may or may not change in the future. Heck, there may be a replacement tomorrow... or in a year.

When our car came out, there was one for all other TR690's and one for ours. I suspect that the new Outback XT will use the same as ours, but, I don't know yet for sure.

So, when dealers who missed the memo (no, there really was a memo, a sell sheet, and a bulletin) go with the latest non-Ascent TR690 compatible fluid (Subaru CVT fluid High Torque), or some other Subaru CVT fluid, as opposed to the one compatible with our TR690 (Subaru CVT fluid High Torque LV), bad things happen (not guessing, I helped with such an issue already).

2) You alluded to the fact above that the transmission issue is really a wiring harness issue. Is that across the board and definitive now? So the issue has been solved or diagnosed?

Well, technically, @denissh alluded to that, specifically for the problems Soca noted. And, technically, a number of people who've had CVT problems have indicated that the harness was a part of the problem. I am just alluding to their allusions.

3) So if the issue is the wiring harness', does the faulty harness somehow damage/fry the tranny? Is that why both the tranny's and the harness' are being replaced in many if not most cases that we read about?

Probably. If the TCM commands to the valve body to set pressure on one pulley cone get through, but not to the other, a chain can slip. Once a chain eats metal pulley cone, the CVT gets replaced - and of course, where detected, the bad harness that may have caused the issue.

And finally, to address the rest of that... there will be some failed TR690's that have nothing to do with whatever the root cause (you can guess (and have guessed) that I have my thoughts on why) of the August/September issues may be. Every car release at that volume from virtually any manufacturer is likely to suffer a few failed transmissions or engines, or whatever, for that matter.

Oh, and remember, the information I have on failed CVTs and repairs is solely provided individually by each and every one of you, either in posts, or in the many private messages you all send me here and on Facebook. SoA and SIA won't ever tell me detailed individual info like that, in order to protect your privacies. Of course, that means, feel free to keep messaging me details, service orders, or whatever. I align that with the general information I can get.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Thanks for this. I too am a "litigate as a last resort" lawyer (and never have) so I get that. I guess my biggest going forward concern -- assuming the car doesn't continue to have problems -- is whether the car is worth less than it otherwise would be if I go to sell it in a few years.

I am not sure why it would be worth less, since it's a warranty repair/replacement done by a Subaru dealership. I am not sure it's like an accident that shows up on a CarFax or something.

 

[PdxOwner]

I am not sure why it would be worth less, since it's a warranty repair/replacement done by a Subaru dealership. I am not sure it's like an accident that shows up on a CarFax or something.

Thank you. Just trying to read through the technical info above as well, it was just my transmission that was replaced. It sounds like I should be inquiring about the harness as well?

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Thank you. Just trying to read through the technical info above as well, it was just my transmission that was replaced. It sounds like I should be inquiring about the harness as well?

If your car threw a P0842 code, then they probably at least checked the harness, and, if it failed the tests, replaced it.

If it did not throw that code, then, that's a different scenario.

Do you have the paperwork?

 

[PdxOwner]

If your car threw a P0842 code, then they probably at least checked the harness, and, if it failed the tests, replaced it.

If it did not throw that code, then, that's a different scenario.

Do you have the paperwork?

I only have my visit #3 visit paperwork (when tranny was replaced) handy at moment. I don't see codes listed? The work done shows (under "Description") as Trans AY/TR690S61DA, Trans Cooler Flush and High Torque CVTF-LV. Man I wish I knew something about cars

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I only have my visit #3 visit paperwork (when tranny was replaced) handy at moment. I don't see codes listed? The work done shows (under "Description") as Trans AY/TR690S61DA, Trans Cooler Flush and High Torque CVTF-LV. Man I wish I knew something about cars

Don't worry, I know a couple of things. Maybe even three.

That means you got a Subaru Ascent CVT, same assembly part number as a non-base level Ascent (meaning the Premium/Limited/Touring TR690), and the proper CVT fluid (there's only one "CVTF-LV" fluid right now, and it's ours).

Some place on the sheet should be part numbers. If you have those, that'd be great.

 

[PdxOwner]

Don't worry, I know a couple of things. Maybe even three.

That means you got a Subaru Ascent CVT, same assembly part number as a non-base level Ascent (meaning the Premium/Limited/Touring TR690), and the proper CVT fluid (there's only one "CVTF-LV" fluid right now, and it's ours).

Some place on the sheet should be part numbers. If you have those, that'd be great.

FP 31000AK130, SOA868V9255, SOA35312.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

FP 31000AK130, SOA868V9255, SOA35312.

Thanks so much!!!


So, you've got...
31000AK130:
That's the Ascent CVT part number I mentioned earlier to @Soca
From the parts site:

• Part Number: 31000AK130 (TR690 CVT for Ascent Premium, Limited, Touring)
• Transmission Assembly Number: TR690S61DA

SOA868V9255:
Transmission Cooler Flush. They replaced your CVT (the part above). It is normal and proper procedure for them to flush the cooling system. Our CVTs (Premium, Limited, Touring) are cooled via a radiator up front and have cooling lines. The flush kit ensures that nothing from the old transmission is left in the lines.

SOA635312:
SOA635312 is the warranty part number for the Ascent specific CVT High Torque LV fluid, part number SOA748V0300. You'll see that number listed on my reply to Soca as well.

Looks great! One brand new CVT, proper part number, flushed the whole CVT cooling system using the proper flush kit, and refilled everything with the proper Ascent specific CVT fluid.

 

[Jxsajxbd]

Thanks for this. I too am a "litigate as a last resort" lawyer (and never have) so I get that. I guess my biggest going forward concern -- assuming the car doesn't continue to have problems -- is whether the car is worth less than it otherwise would be if I go to sell it in a few years.

I’d at least talk to a lawyer about it to see how long it would take, what you should expect to get back etc. Given that they don’t know yet what the problem is, or how to fix it, I would be wary of just crossing your fingers and hoping for the best on the new transmission. If my Ascent’s transmission fails it’s going to get sold immediately after the warranty replacement is done. I have zero interest in owning an unreliable new vehicle. That will also be the end of Subaru’s for my family.

 

[Soca]

Well, got my car back. Work order shows

Trans and High Torque CVT fluid match up but also have

2 QTY SOA635300 Gear Oil MT (assuming they do the rear diff too?)
1 QTT SOA635303 Trans cooler

Also I think they did an oil change..it shows it on the work order, but no sticker on the windshield unless they don't put it there for the Eyesight?

Nice to be back in the Ascent after driving an Outback Touring (2019), nice but not enough room or power for us. Since it's been nearly 1 year since we got it I washed, clayed, and put some sealant on it (Meguiars Ultiimate Liquid Wax)

 

[PdxOwner]

Thanks so much!!!


So, you've got...
31000AK130:
That's the Ascent CVT part number I mentioned earlier to @Soca
From the parts site:

• Part Number: 31000AK130 (TR690 CVT for Ascent Premium, Limited, Touring)
• Transmission Assembly Number: TR690S61DA

SOA868V9255:
Transmission Cooler Flush. They replaced your CVT (the part above). It is normal and proper procedure for them to flush the cooling system. Our CVTs (Premium, Limited, Touring) are cooled via a radiator up front and have cooling lines. The flush kit ensures that nothing from the old transmission is left in the lines.

SOA635312:
SOA635312 is the warranty part number for the Ascent specific CVT High Torque LV fluid, part number SOA748V0300. You'll see that number listed on my reply to Soca as well.

Looks great! One brand new CVT, proper part number, flushed the whole CVT cooling system using the proper flush kit, and refilled everything with the proper Ascent specific CVT fluid.

Thanks for that info. Giving it a bit of time to see how it's driving. Appreciate the info.

 

[Soca]

Just checked the door, I have a 8/18 build date

 

[Robert.Mauro]

2 QTY SOA635300 Gear Oil MT (assuming they do the rear diff too?)
1 QTT SOA635303 Trans cooler

Probably for the center differential (it's inside the CVT case, but has its own fluid), and the other is a CVT cooler flush kit.

 

[tggobucks]

Mine is getting replaced as we speak, only 11k miles

 

[Cactus99]

Mine is getting replaced as we speak, only 11k miles

What was the build date of your Ascent, please?

 

[Doug H]

I had a similar issue with my Ascent. See today's post. This seems to be a common problem with the Ascent. Hopefully Subaru will get it fixed.

 

[Doug H]

Ordered a Magnetite Gray Ascent Limited on June 23rd. Picked the car up on Sept. 7th, 10 weeks later. Noticed a few instances of "slipping" in the transmission. About a week ago, wife was driving with our autistic son when multiple warning lights came on and the transmission failed. AT temp light was on, eyesight disabled, check engine light, brake light, etc... Car wouldn't move and she had to coast into a school. Car has 5,000 miles. Had to call Subaru Roadside Assistance and have the car towed to the dealer. Dealer has had the car for a week. They called in a regional engineer to inspect. After examining the car for a week and putting 85 miles on it, they are telling us to come pick it up since they can't reproduce the problem and don't know what's wrong. All they did was check the connectors on the top of the transmission and check the fluid level. They didn't even change the fluid given that the AT temp light came on. Very disappointed in Subaru. They are basically throwing us to the wolves and hoping the problem doesn't happen again. They won't replace the transmission. We are very nervous about driving the car or taking the car on any sort of extended trip. With winter coming we are seriously considering dumping the car. Would never recommend Subaru after this experience.

I had a similar issue with my Ascent. See today's post. This seems to be a common problem with the Ascent. Hopefully Subaru will get it fixed.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

I had a similar issue with my Ascent. See today's post. This seems to be a common problem with the Ascent. Hopefully Subaru will get it fixed.

No, it's not a common problem. How was yours fixed? When did it happen? What's your build date?