home

December 2018

Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter
ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
Click on a title below to jump to the article.
Click the date located in the footer to return to page 1.

CODE ARTICLE...............................PAGE
(00)

STIS New Releases................. 10-11

(01)

QMR of the Month...................... 1-2

(01)

The Importance of Searching for
TSBs and TechTIPS....................... 2

(05)

Abnormal Noise Diagnosis............. 3

(07)

Performing Variant Work When
Replacing Combination Meters......3-4

(07)

Automatic Start-Stop System Enable
Conditions................................. 4

Tech Tips Greatest Tips
(12) 2015MY Legacy / Outback Seat Heater
Operation Overview.................... 5-7
(13)

Paint Condition on Hood – Moisture
Stain...................................... 7-8

(15)

2019 Forester Remote Engine Start
Changes and Precautions.............8-9

(15)

2019 Impreza Sport Remote Engine
Start Climate Control Settings......... 9

(18)

Errors in Service Manuals, What
To Do...................................... 10

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
Holiday Break: (Closed)
Monday, December 24, 2018
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
New Years Day: (Closed)
Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Mon. - Thurs.

8:30AM - 7:30PM EST

Friday

10:30AM - 5:00PM EST

Saturday

9:00AM - 3:00PM EST

01

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

QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce this month’s Winner of QMR of the Month:

Corey Repoza from
Herb Gordon Subaru in Silver Spring, MD
Corey submitted an excellent QMR outlining his diagnosis and repair
of the A/C system on a new 2019MY Forester. The customer stated
the A/C system was not working and that it blew warm air regardless
of the setting. After confirming the condition as reported, Corey
connected his manifold gauges to check high and low-side system
pressures which were both equal at just 90 psi. A thorough inspection
for refrigerant leaks revealed nothing. Realizing he was working with
a variable-displacement type compressor, Corey connected the SSM4
and checked the current data. His findings revealed the compressor
was not coming on along with both high and low-side pressures were
zero instead of the 90 psi his gauges read. Next, he checked for DTCs
and started looking into the stored B14A3 which related to an open
pressure sensor circuit. The diagnostics asked if a B14A4 (shorted
sensor circuit) was present which it was not. Corey then started
looking into the wiring diagram for commonalities between different
components and realized the air intake door and high pressure sensor
shared the same power and ground. Since the harness connector
(B627) for the high pressure sensor was easier to access than the
mix door actuator’s, he disconnected it and realized current data for
the low-side pressure began to change. After numerous additional
electrical checks which he provided detailed results of in his report,
Corey determined the high pressure sensor was failed internally. He
proceeded to evacuate the system and replace the sensor. After
recharging, normal current data was observed along with normal
system operation.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us, Corey will be receiving the following from his Field Service
Engineer:

A $500.00 Snap-On gift card.
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
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, Baja, Tribeca,
BRZ, XV Crosstrek and “Quality Driven” are Registered Trademarks. Ascent is a trademark.

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.

December 2018 TechTIPS

Page 1 of 12

01

QMR OF THE MONTH

The other Regional winners selected from QMRs submitted during October 2018 were:

•

Evan Puckett from Jim Keras Subaru in Memphis, TN

•

Kevin Lopez from Timmons Subaru in Long Beach, CA

•

Bill Duaime from Flemington Subaru in Flemington, NJ

Any Subaru Technician can participate in the QMR of the Month program. See the February 2013 and
January 2016 issues of TechTIPS for full details. You just might see your name and photo in a future
issue of Tech TIPS!

01

THE IMPORTANCE OF SEARCHING FOR TSBS AND TECHTIPS

One of the first things to do after attempting to reproduce a customer’s concern is to check for relevant
Technical Service Bulletins or TechTIPS. If the condition being diagnosed is a known concern,
there is a good chance STIS has information on it. TSBs and TechTIPS may also have diagnostic
information not available in the Service Manual, saving the Technician valuable time and ensuring the
vehicle is fixed right the first time.
Scenario 1: A customer presents their 2018 Outback with a concern of being locked out of the vehicle
after running into a convenience store: their remote keyless entry doesn’t operate. Without full details
such as the hazard lamps being left on, the Technician may have difficulty duplicating the concern and
return a no problem found. A review of TSBs for the vehicle will return 07-124-17R “Reprogramming
File Availability for Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) and Access Key Functionality Enhancement”.
Scenario 2: A customer presents their 2014 WRX with the Check Engine Lamp illuminated. The
Technician finds DTC P0300 stored. Today, the engine is not misfiring so the Technician may consider
clearing the DTC and releasing the vehicle with no problem found. Once again, a review of TSBs will
return 07-96-15 Design Change to Engine Wiring Harness.
If a TSB or TIP is not found for a customer’s concern, follow the applicable Service Manual
diagnostics.

December 2018 TechTIPS

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 2 of 12

05

ABNORMAL NOISE DIAGNOSIS

The Techline continues to receive calls from Technicians needing assistance with noise concerns.
One thing to keep in mind when calling is to have very specific details on the noise and its location.
If possible, it is recommended a video of the noise be submitted for the Techline to better assist you.
If unable to duplicate the noise, arrange for a test drive with the customer. One of the things you will
need to diagnose a noise which is hard to find is a set of chassis ears. This will be one of the first
recommendations by the Techline in order to get the noise localized. Once localized, Techline may have
a better idea of a possible cause and be able to give better advice on how to approach the noise. One of
the main issues the Techline sees is lack of detail. Here are some questions Advisors can ask customers
or, you should have the answer to when calling:
When does the noise occur? (hot, cold, rough surface only, etc.)
Where is the noise coming from? (L/F, R/R, center of vehicle, etc.)
•

Steering/suspension related

•

Engine/trans/driveline related

•

Brake application related

•

Body noise related

Is the noise normal? (Not sure? Compare it to a like vehicle.)
Check for any related TSBs or TIPS on the issue.
REMINDER: An Electronic Listening Device is required as per Subaru Minimum Required
Equipment List found on SubaruNet.

07

PERFORMING VARIANT WORK WHEN REPLACING COMBINATION METERS

Most current model vehicles require Variant Work
to be performed when replacing the combination
meter. Typically, the Technician will perform Operation
Procedure A which saves the configuration from the
original meter before replacement then uploads it
to the new meter. If Operation Procedure A fails or
communication to the meter cannot be established, the
Technician must perform Operation Procedure B. Due to
changes in SSM software, additional steps are needed to
successfully input the Applied Model and Option codes.
To enter this information, the Technician must click the
“Input” button, enter the code, click OK, and click OK
again.

December 2018 TechTIPS

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 3 of 12

07

PERFORMING VARIANT WORK WHEN REPLACING COMBINATION METERS (CONTINUED)

07

AUTOMATIC START-STOP SYSTEM ENABLE CONDITIONS

The 2019 Forester Automatic Start-Stop System will only function when certain parameters are met.
Knowledge of the conditions required to enable this system to function are essential when attempting
to duplicate a customer’s concern of Automatic Start-Stop System is inoperative. The conditions
required to enable system operations include parameters set in several separate systems. Please refer
to the Owner’s Manual pages 339-344 for details.
When the Automatic Start-Stop System is engaged, the system icon in the instrument cluster
illuminates in green. When the Automatic Start-Stop System is turned off, the icon illuminates in
amber. When a malfunction is detected, the amber icon blinks. When Automatic Start-Stop System
enable conditions are not met, the white icon with crossed line illuminates.

December 2018 TechTIPS

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 4 of 12

This series features TechTIPS articles frequently referred to by Techline. This month’s feature from
August 2014 shows the operation of the seat heater system equipped in 2015+MY Legacy and
Outback vehicles.
NOTE: Please refer to 2014 Forester Seat Heater Operation and Switch Functions article from
November 2013 for more information.
NOTE: Ascent seat heaters elements are not serviced separately from the seat cushion.

12

2015MY LEGACY / OUTBACK SEAT HEATER OPERATION OVERVIEW

The front seat heater system used in the 2015MY Legacy / Outback is a new design compared
to prior systems. It utilizes a thermistor sensor which allows the front seats to remain at warmer
temperatures more consistently than the prior system. The new system is very different due to the
change in sensors. The seat heater system on 2014MY and prior Legacy / Outback is a thermostat
sensor-based system which makes the front seats heat up periodically and then cool down until
the sensor indicates a need to turn the element on again. When this sensor-based system is
operating, the temperature increases until the sensor determines the heating element has reached
approximately 50 degrees C (roughly 122 degrees F). At that point, the element is switched off
until the sensor reads approximately 40 degrees C (104 degrees F). At that temperature reading,
the element is turned back on again to re-heat the seat resulting in an approximate 18-degree
range. This cycle continues as long as the seat heater switch is on in either the low or high
position.
In comparison, the thermistor sensor used in the new system also cycles on and off but, the
operating range (temperature difference) is much smaller with a slightly lower upper limit
temperature. The new system turns on the element until the thermistor sensor determines
approximately 38 degrees C (roughly 100 degrees F) then cycles the element off until the
temperature (at the thermister) reaches approximately 37 degrees C (roughly 98 degrees F) before
the element cycles on again, yielding only an approximate 2-degree range. As you can see, the
upper and lower temperature range on the new system is significantly reduced. However, this is
an apples and oranges comparison as the actual seat temperature felt is very similar. As you can
see on the chart below, the average surface temperature of the front seat for each system ends up
being very close. The RED line on the graph shows the temperature on front seat surface of the
new 2015MY Legacy / Outback while the GREEN line represents the previous model year. You
can see the fluctuations of the previous system have been virtually eliminated and the temperature
stability enhancement the new system provides.

December 2018 TechTIPS

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 5 of 12

12

2015MY LEGACY / OUTBACK SEAT HEATER OPERATION OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

Average
Seat Surface
Temperatures

Heating Condition:
Switch Is Set to HI
2015MY Legacy / Outback

Outside Temp. is
-20 deg. C
(-4 deg. F)

2014MY Legacy / Outback

There are three levels of front seat heating available for 2015MY
Legacy and Outback, HIGH (1), MID (2) and LOW (3). The
difference among these modes is an upper limit temperature
change of about 2 to 4 degrees C. Similar to the older system
the speed at which the seat actually heats up varies with the level
settings. The high setting will heat the seat the quickest, mid will
increase the temperature more gradually and low will increase it at
the slowest rate.
In contrast, the rear seat heater system used on 2015MY Legacy / Outback is a similar design as
the previous model year but, the cycle and surface temperatures for those seats are lower than the
front seats on previous model by a few degrees C.
Another operational difference between the old and new seat heater systems is how each functions
in higher ambient temperatures conditions. Naturally, ambient temperatures which are at or above
the upper limit of either system’s sensor function may keep the seat heater from operating. Simply
stated, if the ambient temperature inside the car is higher than the upper cycle limit for that sensor,
the system will not allow the element to heat. This is not a malfunction; the seat heater system is
operating as designed.
Should you receive a customer concern stating their seat heaters do not work, start your diagnosis
by first confirming the conditions under which the system was reported to be inoperative. If the
ambient temperatures were close to or higher than the seat heater sensor’s upper limit (remember,
inside vehicle temperatures will be higher than outside ambient temperature in most cases), the
concern may be a normal operating characteristic of the system. If this is not the case, diagnose
the system using the applicable Service Manual. On the 2015 Legacy and Outback, temperatures
of the thermistor sensor can be viewed using the SSMIII as shown in the screen shot below.

December 2018 TechTIPS

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 6 of 12

12

2015MY LEGACY / OUTBACK SEAT HEATER OPERATION OVERVIEW (CONTINUED)

This data may be used to check if the sensor is functioning correctly or not. NOTE: Temperatures
shown on SSMIII are not the actual temperatures felt on the seat surface. Actual seat surface
temperatures will be higher than those shown for the thermistor sensor on the SSMIII data.

13

PAINT CONDITION ON HOOD – MOISTURE STAIN

Retailers have reported several 2019MY Foresters with a paint condition found on the hood which
appears to be a stain. This condition is actually a result of moisture intrusion into the paint. This condition