ATTENTION:

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q

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

SERVICE MANAGER

© 2018 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

q
q

SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

NUMBER: 11-177-18

2018MY Legacy and Outback 2.5L Models

SUBJECT: RPM Drop when A/C Switches Off During Engine
Warm-Up

DATE: 01/30/18

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces availability of ECM reprogramming files to optimize the ECM. These files
will address isolated customer concerns of an engine RPM drop when the A/C system switches off
during engine warm-up after a cold start.
PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:
The new logic was incorporated into production with the starting VINs provided below:
Legacy: J3026042
Outback: J3283955
PACK FILE APPLICABILITY:
NOTE: This new reprogramming file will be included in the January 2018 SSM Update.
Model
2018MY LEGACY & OUTBACK

New ECM Part
Number
22765AK85B.pak 22765AK85B
PAK File Name

Old ECM Part
Number
22765AK85A

Decryption
Keyword
943C3B1E

New CID
Number
EB4S101C

SERVICE PROCEDURE:
•

Reprogram the ECM following the normal FlashWrite procedure.

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) highly recommends connecting the Subaru Midtronics GR8
Diagnostic Battery Charger to the vehicle and utilizing the Power Supply Mode feature anytime a
vehicle control module is being reprogrammed. Follow the procedure as outlined in document GR81100 on STIS for use of the GR8’s Power Supply Mode:
•

Confirm all electrical loads such as lights, audio, HVAC, seat heaters, and rear defroster are
all switched OFF before setting up for Power Supply Mode.
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: 11-177-18; Date 01/30/18

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 3

•

Select the correct battery type (Flooded, AGM or AGM Spiral).

•

Select the CCA which matches the vehicle’s battery (NOTE: OE and replacement batteries
have different CCA ratings. Always confirm the battery rating before proceeding.)

•

If the “Charge Battery” WARNING appears, the battery MUST be charged before attempting
reprogramming.

•

DO NOT connect the DSTi or SDI until the GR8 Power Supply mode has completed its
battery test mode and the Charging Voltage has dropped to a steady 13.5 Volts on the display.

•

If the GR8 “beeps” or the Status Light flashes, a diagnostic charge should be performed on
the battery before proceeding further.

•

Once Power Supply Mode reaches a steady 13.5 volts, connect the DSTi or SDI to the OBD
connector and initiate the reprogramming process.

•

Amperage will fluctuate based upon the vehicle’s demand for power. NOTE: If the
voltage rises beyond 14V while programming is in process, the procedure will abort.
This can indicate a need to test or charge the vehicle battery before any further attempt at
programming.

IMPORTANT:
This information is applicable to the Midtronics GR8 Diagnostic Battery Charger ONLY. It does
not apply to any other brand / type of “generic” battery charger whatsoever. ONLY the GR8 and its
Power Supply Mode feature has been tested and approved by SOA.
Once the GR8 is connected to the vehicle, as long as the battery is fully charged, it takes less than
3 minutes to boot-up the charger, select Power Supply Mode, and have the battery voltage stabilized
and ready for reprogramming.
REMINDER: If the GR8 indicates the vehicle’s battery must be charged, charge the battery using
the GR8 before proceeding to reprogram the vehicle.
NOTE: Control module failures as a result of battery discharge during reprogramming are not a
matter for warranty. Should any DTCs reset after the reprogramming update is performed, diagnose
per the procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited, an applicable Emission Warranty period or covered
by an active Subaru Added Security Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the
following claim information:
Labor Description
MFI OBDII ECM Reprogramming

Labor Operation #
A455-288

Fail Code
UPG-48

Labor Time
0.4

IMPORTANT: Always note the original Calibration Identification number (CID) the vehicle came
in with on the repair order before reprogramming and, make sure to list the NEW CID for any
newly-installed programming (as confirmed from the actual control module AFTER installation).
The NEW CID MUST also be noted on the repair order as this information is required for entry in
the Miscellaneous Detail field during claim submission.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 11-177-18; Date 01/30/18

Page 2 of 3

NOTE: The pack file listings provided in this bulletin are the latest available at the time of
publishing. Updates are often released thereafter without revision to the original bulletin. For this
reason, it is critical to always have the latest version of Select Monitor software installed on your
system. You can confirm if a later version is available by entering the CID listed in this bulletin into
FlashWrite. If a newer CID is shown as available in FlashWrite, reprogram using that file.
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: 11-177-18; Date 01/30/18

Page 3 of 3