ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER
PARTS MANAGER
CLAIMS PERSONNEL
SERVICE MANAGER

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2010-2011 Impreza Models
2010-2013 STI Models
2010-2011 Forester Models

NUMBER: 15-162-13
DATE: 06/18/13

SUBJECT: Service Procedure for Replacement of the Bluetooth
Microphone for Kenwood Audio / Navigation Systems
INTRODUCTION
This Bulletin provides a service procedure for replacing the Bluetooth hands-free microphone
which is now available as an individual service part (separate from the map light assembly). The
replacement microphone is designed to reduce background noise when using the hands-free telephone
feature.
COUNTERMEASURE IN PRODUCTION
The new microphone was incorporated into production on STI models starting with the following
VINs:
VEHICLE

STI

MODEL

STARTING VIN

4-Door

D*014000

5-Door

D*813544

PART INFORMATION
MODEL

MODEL YEAR

NEW PART NUMBER

Forester

2010-2011

86234SC011

Impreza WRX
& STI

2010-2011

86234FG011
86234FG021

Continued...
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS COULD
RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
Subaru Service Bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. They
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 this
Service Bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition.

Bulletin Number: 15-162-13; Date: 06/18/13

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

Page 1

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION
•

Remove the map light / overhead console assembly following the procedures outlined in the
applicable Service Manual.

•

Remove the microphone assembly from the map light / overhead console assembly.

NOTE: The recommended procedure involves CAREFULLY removing the pin terminals from both
the vehicle’s original and the replacement microphone harness connectors then installing the vehicle’s
original microphone connector onto the replacement microphone’s wiring harness. Using this
procedure will enable you to work more comfortably on your workbench instead of overhead when
trying to remove and replace the vehicle harness connector.
•

Unlock the holder of the new microphone’s harness connector. Insert a small flat-blade
screwdriver under the indentation of the holder then lift up gently to unlock it as shown in the
photos below. Once unlocked, slide the holder backward.

Before unlock

After unlock

Holder slid backward

•

Note the wire terminal positions before disassembly. Actual wire colors may vary.

•

CAREFULLY remove the wires by releasing the locking clip with a chisel-tipped terminal
release tool as shown in the illustration below then sliding the terminal out the back of the harness
connector. It is important to TAKE YOUR TIME and develop a “feel” for how and when the
lock clip releases the wire terminal. This will prevent damage to the terminals and make them
easier to reinstall to the original vehicle harness connector.
1. Unlock the Holder.
Dotted line: locked position
Solid line: unlocked position
After unlocked, slide the
holder backward.

3. Pull the wires out toward the
back of connector while holding
lock pin release with the tool.

Holder

Harness
Connector
Chisel-tipped
terminal release tool

Lock Clip (part of
harness connector)

2. Insert the chisel-tipped
release tool between lock
pin and terminal to move
the lock pin downward,
releasing the terminal.

Tool #15315247-1 is part of the
Subaru Terminal Repair Kit

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-162-13; Date: 06/18/13

Page 2

•

Remove all three wires from both the replacement and the vehicle’s original microphone harness
connectors.

•

Reinstall the terminals of the replacement microphone’s harness into the vehicle’s original
microphone harness connector as shown below. The connector is being viewed from the front in
these two illustrations.

Impreza, WRX & STI

Proper orientation when reinstalling terminals

Forester

View from front of connector

•

Install the replacement microphone assembly into the map light / overhead console then reinstall
the assembly into the vehicle in reverse order of removal.

•

Confirm the Bluetooth / hands-free system operates properly to complete the repair.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be claimed using the
following information:
LABOR DESCRIPTION

Bluetooth Microphone R&R

LABOR
OPERATION #

FAIL CODE

B850-833

LABOR
TIME

0.3
ZOC-43

Audio System Testing and Diagnosis

Bulletin Number: 15-162-13; Date: 06/18/13

C031-001

0.3

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