June 2013
Subaru Service and
Technical Support Line Newsletter

HELPING TO ACHIEVE THE PREMIUM SERVICE EXPERIENCE

ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
CODE ARTICLE....................... PAGE
(00) STIS Release Highlights from
05/01/2013 to 05/31/2013... 07

01

QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce this month’s winner of the QMR of
the Month.

David Kirby

Thomas Subaru in
Cumberland, MD

(01) QMR of the Month............ 01
(01) Authorization Requests...... 03
(07) 2014 Forester Turbo,
ECM Electrical Testing
REMINDER..................... 02
(07) 2014 MY Forester, Power
Rear Gate (PRG) Initialization
Procedure...................... 03
(07) 2014 Forester Non-Turbo ECM
and BIU Locations............ 04

David submitted a very detailed QMR on his diagnosis and repair of
an intermittent wiring concern at the instrument cluster. In appreciation
for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with us in hopes
of improving product quality, David will be receiving the following from
his FSE:

A Subaru Confidence
In Motion Jacket

&

A $100
Gift Card

Congratulations David!
Any Subaru Service Technician can participate in QMR of the Month.
See the February 2013 Tech Tips for full details. You may see your
name here in a future issue of Tech Tips.

Please keep in mind that the Techline
will be closed on July 4th, in honor of
Independence Day.

HAVE A SAFE AND
HAPPY HOLIDAY!
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
“ISO 14001 COMPLIANT”

The Subaru TechTIPS newsletter is intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. Articles
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or to
provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly trained
technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do the job correctly
and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that your vehicle has or will have that
condition. Impreza, Legacy, Justy, Loyale, Outback, Forester, Subaru SVX, WRX, WRX STI,
L.L. Bean, Baja, Tribeca, BRZ, XV Crosstrek and “Quality Driven” are Registered Trademarks.

The international standard for excellence
in Environmental Management Systems.
Please recycle or dispose of automotive
products in a manner that is friendly to our
environment and in accordance with all
local, state and federal laws and regulations.

June 2013 TechTIPS

Page 1

07

2014 FORESTER TURBO, ECM ELECTRICAL TESTING REMINDER

Keep in mind, with the ECM now located in the engine compartment on 2014 Forester Turbo models, all the
harness connectors and terminals for the ECM wiring are weather proof. Under NO circumstances should
any ECM terminal or connector be tested by back-probing. The weatherproof seal will be damaged and allow
moisture to enter the wiring. Engine harness damage from back-probing is not a matter for warranty and can
only result from an improper repair procedure. A new test harness, 18460AA030 called a CHECK-BOARD has
been developed for diagnosing the ECM wiring on these vehicles.

The CHECK-BOARD is a series circuit harness with parallel circuit connectors which fits in between the ECM
and the ECM harness connectors. When installing, always connect the weatherproof connectors to the ECM.

It is recommended this harness only be installed during diagnosis.

June 2013 TechTIPS

Page 2

01

AUTHORIZATION REQUESTS

Here are a few suggestions that will help us to provide you with timely replies to the Authorization
Requests (AR) you submit for WARRANTABLE glass or paint claims that are equal to or exceed $500.00.
These suggestions also apply to the ARs for long blocks outlined in the two Service Bulletins (02-109-10R & 02122-11) that can be found on STIS.
•

Use a quality camera to take your pictures. Pictures up to 5MB each can be uploaded to the AR.

•

All ARs should include pictures that clearly show the condition being reported.

•

Find a location in your dealership where the lighting will allow you to take quality pictures.

•

Review all pictures you intend on submitting prior to attaching them to an AR. Only attach quality
photos that clearly show the condition being reported.

NOTE: By reviewing the pictures you are about to submit to ensure only quality pictures are sent will allow us
to make an informed and timely determination on the disposition of your AR.
If you have questions about what is covered under warranty, please refer to the Subaru Claims Policies and
Procedures Manual to determine if the condition you are about to submit is covered.

07

2014 MY FORESTER, POWER REAR GATE (PRG) INITIALIZATION PROCEDURE

If you receive a customer concern of an inoperative power rear gate (PRG), once the condition has been
confirmed, try performing the following initialization procedure first to see if normal operation can be
restored:
1. With the ignition “OFF”, open the PRG manually.
2. Carefully (slowly) close the rear gate until the first audible “click” of the rear gate latch mechanism
is heard then let go of the rear gate. The auto closer function will then operate to complete the
rear gate closing / latching function along with the initialization procedure.
3. After the PRG is fully closed, operate any of the operation switches to verify the automatic
opening and closing operation of the PRG.
If the PRG operates normally following initialization, then the condition was the result of conflicting user
inputs, power loss, or similar outside influences. If the PRG still does not operate properly, follow the rest
of the diagnostic procedures beginning on page PRG(diag)-2 of the 2014 Forester Service Manual.

June 2013 TechTIPS

Page 3

07

2014 FORESTER NON-TURBO ECM AND BIU LOCATIONS

Tech line has received calls recently regarding questions on pin locations not matching up; powers and grounds
in the wrong locations, post-repair no start conditions and various trouble codes appearing which were not there
before the vehicle was repaired. After questioning the tech and investigating the complaint, we have found the
ECM and/or the BIU have been confused with one another. Keep in mind the Turbo Forester has a special test
harness for the ECM as described on pg. 2 in this issue of TIPS. The The 2014 Non-Turbo Forester still has the
ECM inside the vehicle cabin behind the glove box. The BIU is located behind the in-car fuse box. Confusing
these two control units can cause false readings when troubleshooting as well as electrical problems and false
trouble codes. The photos below show the location of both control units.

BIU is located behind
the fuse box

ECM is located behind
the glove box

June 2013 TechTIPS

Page 4

00

2013 Calendar of
Subaru Holidays

STIS RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 05/01/2013 TO 05/31/2013

12-151-13; Technical Service
Bulletin, Increase to Detent Force
of Front Door Checker Mechanism

E101SFJ000; Accessory
Installation Guide, Impreza Side
Sill Plate Kit

MSA5P1701C; Technician
Reference Booklet, BRZ
Introduction New Technology
Training

WQI-45; Subaru Product /
Campaign Bulletin, Steering
Column Disengagement

13-96-13; Technical Service
Bulletin, 2014 MY Paint Coding
Information

02-141-13; Technical Service
Bulletin, Design Change to
Rubber Sealing Cap for Oil
Pressure Switch

Independence Day
Thursday, July 4, 2013
Labor Day
Monday, September 3, 2013
Thanksgiving Day
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Christmas Eve
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Christmas Day
Wednesday, December 25, 2013

*** NOW YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR TECHTIPS INPUT AND SUGGESTIONS TO: SERVICEINFO@SUBARU.COM ***

This is your chance to offer suggestions for use in future issues of TechTIPS! Make sure that if you
e-mail us, you place in the subject line of your e-mail “For TechTIPS Newsletter”. Thank you!
MODEL:
YEAR:
VIN:
Description of situation encountered:

Your suggestion for repair procedure, product improvements, etc.:

Please attach separate sheets, if necessary. You may also want to include Service Manual diagrams or references, or
your own drawings to assist in describing your suggestion. All information submitted becomes the property of Subaru of
America, Inc. Permission is granted to Subaru of America, Inc. to print your name and suggestions in TechTIPS and other
Subaru of America, Inc. publications. Mail items to: PO Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000.

Your Name: Signature:
Dealer’s Name: City:
Date: Dealer Code:

SUBARU TECHLINE
Hours of Operation

June 2013 TechTIPS

Monday – Thursday 8:30am to 6:30pm
Friday 10:30am to 5pm
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