Subaru Repair: HELP!!!, clutch pressure plate, subaru legacy

Question
QUESTION: 2000 Subaru Legacy AWD  102K miles
When I start from a complete stop sometimes (about once a month) my car wont go into first gear. It never slips out of gear while I'm driving. After putting it into other gears back and forth it will go in. Took it to two transmission shops and they cant make it duplicate and are at a loss. My check engine light came on the day before the last event but was only on a few hours. I had a reading of P035= Knock Sensor 1 Circuit Malfunction Bank 1 or 1 Sensor. Is this related? Also can hear and feel a "chatter" in the steering wheel when I turn. Can you estimate the cost to fix these three items? I don't know if I should fix or sell car. Oh...I'm a female with little understanding of these things...please be gentle. Bless you.


ANSWER: The PO-325 knock sensor most likely indicates a failed knock sensor. The approximate cost to replace a knock sensor is $170.00 plus any charge for diagnoses to confirm the failed part.  The chatter in the steering wheel may just be a loose belt or something more serious but is to hard to say without looking at the car.  As far as the transmission symptoms, are we talking about a manual transmission that wont physically go into gear or a auto transmission that doesn't start out in 1st gear?  If its a manual it may be a issue with a syncro or just a weak clutch pressure plate both of which are fairly easy to remedy and I wouldn't bail on the car for that type of repair.

Justin

All Wheel Drive Auto

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My Bad....It's an automatic transmission. I dont have any problems while under way only when starting from a complete stop. So far it has only happened while the engine has been at operating temp. Wow!!! Thanks for the quick reply!!

Answer
I would suggests starting with a transmission drain and fill and replacing the external filter on the side of the transmission.  It may ultimately be that the pump pressure is low but I would suggest starting with a service

Justin

All Wheel Drive Auto