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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2013MY to Current Legacy and Outback 2.5L Models
2012MY to Current Impreza 2.0L Models
2013MY to Current XV Crosstrek
2011MY to Current Forester 2.5L Models
2014MY to Current Forester 2.0L DIT Models
2015MY to Current WRX
2013MY to Current BRZ
2019MY Ascent

NUMBER: 02-163-16R
DATE: 08/12/16
REVISED: 06/27/19

SUBJECT: Inspection and Repair Procedures for AVCS-Related DTCs
INTRODUCTION:
This Service Information bulletin provides new inspection and repair procedures for AVCS (Active
Valve Control System) -related DTCs on the FA and FB engine equipped models listed above. The
applicable Service Manuals will be revised with this new information in the near future.
NOTE: The diagnostics included in this bulletin are applicable to all models listed EXCEPT
2019MY Forester, Ascent and 2020MY Legacy and Outback. For these 2019MY and later vehicles,
ONLY the Chapter 7 table included on page 27 is applicable.
CHAPTER 1: DTCs and their Descriptions which will be covered in this bulletin:
DTC

DESCRIPTION

P000A

"A" CAMSHAFT POSITION SLOW RESPONSE BANK1

P000B

"B" CAMSHAFT POSITION SLOW RESPONSE BANK1

P000C

"A" CAMSHAFT POSITION SLOW RESPONSE BANK2

P000D

"B" CAMSHAFT POSITION SLOW RESPONSE BANK2

P0011

"A" CAMSHAFT POSITION-TIMING OVER ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK1

P0014

"B" CAMSHAFT POSITION-TIMING OVER ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK1

P0021

"A" CAMSHAFT POSITION-TIMING OVER ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK2

P0024

"B" CAMSHAFT POSITION-TIMING OVER ADVANCED OR SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK2

P0016

CRANKSHAFT POSITION-CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK1, SENSOR A

P0017

CRANKSHAFT POSITION-CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK1, SENSOR B

P0018

CRANKSHAFT POSITION-CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK2, SENSOR A

P0019

CRANKSHAFT POSITION-CAMSHAFT POSITION CORRELATION BANK2, SENSOR B

‘

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.

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.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-163-16R; Revised: 06/27/19

Page 1

CHAPTER 2: Inspection and Repair Procedures:
The actual Troubleshooting Charts (CHAPTER 3) referenced in Tables 2-1 and 2-2 below begin on
Page 3.
Table 2-1: For DTCs P000A, P000B, P000C, P000D, P0011, P0014, P0021, P0024:
Model

Engine

MY

LEGACY/ OUTBACK

2.5L NA

13MY and after

IMPREZA

2.0L NA

12MY and after

XV

2.0L NA

13MY and after

2.5L NA

11MY and after

2.0L DIT

14MY and after

WRX

2.0L DIT

15MY and after

BRZ

2.0L DI NA

13MY and after

FORESTER

Use Troubleshooting Chart Number:

(1). P000A, P0011

Table 2-2: For DTCsP0016, P0017, P0018 and P0019:
Model
LEGACY/
OUTBACK
IMPREZA

XV

Engine

VVT Initial Position
Learning Value

MY

VVT Adv. Angle
Amount

Readability?

Method

Standard Angle
Data

Use Troubleshooting
Chart Number:

2.5L
NA

13MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

2.0L

14MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

12MY
and 13MY

No

None

0 deg.

(2)-4. P0016
for No Learning Value

14MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

13MY

No

None

0 deg.

(2)-4. P0016
for No Learning Value

14MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

2011, 12 and
13MY

No

None

0 deg.

(2)-4. P0016
for No Learning Value

16MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

14MY
and 15MY

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

27 deg.

(2)-2. P0016 for 27deg

NA

2.0L NA

2.5L NA
FORESTER
2.0L
DIT
WRX

2.0L DIT

15MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Data Monitor

0 deg.

(2)-1. P0016 General

BRZ

2.0L NA

13MY
to current

Yes

SSM
Work Support

0 deg.

(2)-3. P0016
for Work Support

IMPORTANT NOTES AND REMINDERS:
• When directed to replace the engine oil and filter, always use the specified viscosity. DO NOT
supplement the engine oil with any additives.
• When installing new cam carrier oil filters, use caution to not press them into the cam carriers
any deeper than flush with the machined cylinder head mating surface.
• The wiring connector chart referenced throughout the Troubleshooting Charts (CHAPTER 8) is
found at the end of this TSB.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-163-16R; Revised: 06/27/19

Page 2

CHAPTER 3: Troubleshooting Charts
(1). P000A, P0011
Troubleshooting for P000A, B, C or D / P0011, 14, 21 or 24

Step
1

2

3

4

5

Check

LEGACY / OUTBACK 2.5L: 13MY and
after
IMPREZA: 12MY and after
XV: 13MY and after
FORESTER 2.5L NA: 11MY and after
FORESTER 2.0L DIT: 14MY and after
WRX: 15MY and after
BRZ: 13MY and after
YES

NO

Is there any DTC other than P000A, B, C or D / P0011, 14,
21 or 24?

Go to the
applicable DTC
troubleshooting.

Save the FFD.

Does the oil level gauge show out of range?
Is the oil excessively dirty?
Is the oil clotted due to use of additives?
Is undesignated viscosity oil used?

Correct the oil level.
Replace the engine oil
and oil filter.

Go to step 3.

Is the car is fixed?
1) Replace the oil
control valve with a
brand new one.
2) Clear the memory
using SSM.
3) Perform the drive
cycle. (Refer to
Chapter 5.)
4) Read the “AVCS
diagnostic value” by
using SSM. Please
refer to Chapter 6 to
read out MODE$06.

Is the diagnostic value of applicable AVCS ≧ 1000?

Go to step 4.

Check the harness.

Is there a poor contact among the oil control valve, cam
angle sensor, crank angle sensor and ECU?
-Is there any damage on the connector pin of oil control
valve, cam angle sensor, crank angle sensor or ECU?
- Are following resistances more than 1Ω:
Between the oil control valve and the ECU
Between the cam angle sensor and the ECU
Between the crank angle sensor and the ECU?
(Connector Numbers are found in Chapter 8.)

Repair the
problem.

Is the diagnostic value of applicable AVCS ≧ 1000?

Go to step 6.

Check the DTC

Check the engine oil
condition.

Is the car is fixed?
1) Clear the memory
by using SSM.
2) Perform the drive
cycle. (Refer to
Chapter 5)
3) Read the “AVCS
diagnostic value” by
using SSM. Please
refer to Chapter 6 to
read out MODE$06.

Go to step 2.

Go to step 3.

If the value is less than 1000, is the value definitely greater
than the opposite side AVCS value (more than 1.5 times the
opposite side value +100)?
SEE “APPENDIX A” AT THE END OF CHAPTER 3

Change the engine
oil. Idle the engine
for 5 minutes.
Change the engine
oil and the oil filter.
END

If the value is 0, the diagnosis process has not yet
completed. Continue to perform a drive cycle without
stopping the engine.
* The diagnostic value is updated repeatedly, therefore,
please watch it while having an assistant test drive the
vehicle.

Go to step 6.

Go to step 5.

END

If the value is less than 1000, is the value definitely greater
than the opposite side AVCS value (more than 1.5 times the
opposite side value +100)?
SEE “APPENDIX A” AT THE END OF CHAPTER 3
If the value is 0, the diagnosis process has not yet
completed. Continue to perform a drive cycle without
stopping the engine.
* The diagnostic value is updated repeatedly, therefore,
please watch it while having an assistant test drive the
vehicle.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 02-163-16R; Revised: 06/27/19

Page 3

6

7

Check the engine oil
pressure.

Is the engine oil pressure lower than specification?

Check the oil
passages in the
chain cover.

Is there any abnormality of the O-rings for the suction and
discharge ports of the oil pump?
Is there any abnormality of the O-rings for oil passage to
both sides of cylinder heads?

Is there any contamination in the oil pump ports?
NOTE: Do not disassemble the timing chain cover.
Check the camshaft
condition.

Go to step 7.

Replace the chain
cover with a new one
after the inspection is
completed.

Is there any damage or contamination with the oil control
valve?

8

Go to step 7.

Remove the timing chain and rotate camshafts.
Compare the rotating friction of all 4 camshafts.
Is there particular friction in the camshaft which had DTC?
Is there any scratch or damage on the surface of the cam
journal?

Repair the problem.

Go to step 8.

Go to step 8.
In case of
contamination, replace
the chain cover with
new one after the
inspection is
completed.
Replace cam carrier
and camshaft with
new one.

Go to step 9.

Go to step 9.

Is any additional resistance felt?
Compare the intake camshaft with the exhaust camshaft.
Is there any scratch or damage on the surface of the cam
journal?
9