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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2010-2018MY Legacy and Outback

2017MY Impreza

2018MY Crosstrek

2008-2013MY Forester

NUMBER: 07-131-18
DATE: 01/26/18

SUBJECT: Stop Lamp Switch / Pedal Stroke Adjustment Procedure

Relating to DTCs C0054, C0075 and C1531
INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An
improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of the DTCs listed above to set and
result in the related system’s (e. g. VDC and/or EyeSight) warning lamp to illuminate.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
The table below provides DTC applicability by vehicle model:

DTC

Legacy / Outback 2010 - 2014MY

Legacy / Outback
2015MY - Current

2017MY Impreza
2018MY Crosstrek

Forester

C0054

BLS OFF MALFUNCTION

n/a

n/a

BLS OFF MALFUNCTION

C0075

WHEEL CYLINDER PRESSURE
SENSOR OUTPUT

n/a

n/a

REVERSE SIGNAL

C1531

n/a

BLS OFF / STUCK

BLS OFF / STUCK

BLS OFF / STUCK

REQUIRED MATERIALS:
•

Measuring tape (at least 36” long)

•

Masking (or Painter’s) tape

•

Sharp-tipped marker.

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: 07-131-18; Date 01/26/18

Subaru of America, Inc. is
ISO 14001 Compliant
ISO 14001 is 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 of 5

1. Adjust the steering column to the lowest point and the telescopic position fully inward toward
the instrument panel (IP).
2. After recording the customers radio station presets (and Navigation Favorites where applicable),
disconnect the ground (-) negative terminal from the battery and wait 60 seconds before
proceeding.
3. CAREFULLY remove the lower dash trim and lower the knee airbag module following the
procedure in the applicable Service Manual. It is not necessary to disconnect the airbag module
harness connector. Reconnect the negative battery cable and proceed to step 4.
4. Apply tape as needed to protect any affected trim from scratching by the measuring tape.
5. Apply a piece of tape to the bottom of the steering wheel to use for a making a measurement
reference mark as shown below.
6. If needed and to maintain consistency, apply a piece of tape to the brake pedal as a reference
for where the end of the tape measure needs to be positioned between “Up” and “Down” (blue/
yellow arrow). Make sure the measuring tape does not touch or scratch the IP lower trim.

7. Put a reference mark on the steering wheel tape, make a measurement to the brake pedal as
shown and record it.

8. Press the brake pedal until the stop lights come on (using a helper or the SSM4 with the stop
lamp switch PID selected) then measure again to determine the brake pedal stroke.
9. If the pedal stroke measurement is less than 3mm, the stop lamp switch must be adjusted because
the stop lights may come on erroneously from vibration. Refer to the table below for the target
pedal stroke measurement values.
Legacy / Outback
2010MY - Current

2017 Impreza
2018 Crosstrek

Forester

3 to 8mm

3 to 5mm

3 to 8mm

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 07-131-18; Date 01/26/18

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10. Loosen Lock Nut B (closest to switch body) and adjust pedal stroke by turning Lock Nut A.
TIP: Each quarter-turn (90 degrees) on Lock Nut A will change the pedal stroke by 1mm.
11. When the pedal stroke measurement is within the specified range, tighten Lock Nut B to retain
the adjustment and torque to 6 ft. lbs. (8 Nm).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Never shorten the pedal stroke to less than 3mm. Doing so may cause the
stop lamps to illuminate without pressing the brake pedal.
12. Press the brake pedal until the stop lights come on then measure again to determine if the brake
pedal stroke is now within the specified values. If not, repeat steps 10 & 11 and measure again.
If the stroke measurement is now within the specified values, the measurement and adjustment
procedure is complete. Remove any tape applied to the steering wheel and / or brake pedal.
NOTE: For DTC C1531, proceed to step 18.
13. Disconnect the ground (-) negative terminal from the battery and wait 60 seconds before
proceeding.
14. Reinstall the knee airbag module and lower IP trim in reverse order of removal. Reconnect the
negative battery cable and proceed to step 16.
15. Connect SSM4 and clear the memory.
16. Reset all the customers radio presets (and Navigation Favorites where applicable).
17. Confirm all affected systems operate normally to complete the repair.
18. Use one of the following procedures (WITH or WITHOUT EPB) when DTC C1531 is in
memory and the VDC Warning Light is ON. Connect SSM4 and from the Brake Control System
list, select the following data:
•

Master Cylinder Pressure Sensor

•

Stop Light Switch

•

EPB Switch Indicator

A: For vehicles WITH Electronic Parking Brake (EPB):
a) Put the select lever to the P position and start the engine.
b) Start the data monitoring on SSM-4.
c) Apply Electric Parking Brake (EPB).
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 07-131-18; Date 01/26/18

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NOTE: Although the indicator lamp in the EPB switch is ON, pull the EPB switch to confirm proper
EPB system operation.
d) Without depressing brake pedal, make sure the stop light switch shows OFF on the SSM-4
data monitor.
e) Depress and release the brake pedal 5 times quickly, then hold pressure on the brake pedal.
f) While depressing the brake pedal, release EPB.
g) After releasing EPB, gradually release the brake pedal and note the value for master cylinder
pressure when the stop light switch turns from ON to OFF. The specification is less than 15
bar (1.5 MPa). See the screen shot below for reference.
h) If the master cylinder pressure is out of specification, continue DTC C1531 diagnosis
following the procedure in the applicable Service Manual. If the value is within specification,
the procedure is complete.

B: For vehicles WITHOUT EPB:
a) Put the select lever to the P position and start the engine.
b) Start the data monitoring on SSM-4.
c) Without depressing brake pedal, make sure the stop light switch shows OFF on the SSM-4
data monitor.
d) Depress and release the brake pedal 5 times quickly, then hold pressure on the brake pedal.
e) Gradually release the brake pedal and check the master cylinder pressure when the stop light
switch turns OFF. If the master cylinder pressure is out of the specifications, there must be
another cause of the condition.
f) Conduct troubleshooting for DTC C1531 by following the applicable Service Manual
procedure.
g) If the master cylinder pressure is within specifications, perform steps 13-17 above to complete
the procedure.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 07-131-18; Date 01/26/18

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WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Security Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor
Operation #

STOP LIGHT SWITCH- ADJUSTMENT ONLY

A455-318

MFI OBDII STOP LIGHT SWITCH- R&R

A455-311

Labor
Time
Impreza
Crosstrek

0.8
0.9

Legacy
Outback
Forester

Fail
Code
0.5
0.7

UAE-43

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:
•

SOA strongly discourages the printing and/or local storage of service information as
previously released information and electronic publications may be updated at any time.

•

Always check for any open recalls or campaigns anytime a vehicle is in for servicing.

•

Always refer to STIS for the latest service information before performing any repairs.

Bulletin Number: 07-131-18; Date 01/26/18

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