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SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: 2017-20MY Impreza
2018-20MY Crosstrek
2018-19MY Legacy and Outback
2019-20MY WRX and WRX STI
2019-20MY Ascent
2018-20MY BRZ

2019-20MY Forester
SUBJECT:

NUMBER: 15-229-18R
DATE: 08/21/18
REVISED: 11/15/19

Harman Audio / Infotainment: Troubleshooting
Clock-Related Concerns

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin provides troubleshooting steps to follow when diagnosing clock-related customer
concerns. Please start by completing the Harman Investigation Guide Questionnaire as it gathers
important details which will help with diagnosis and will be required should the condition not be
resolved by this troubleshooting. While completing the questionnaire, follow the question flow
based on the customer concern. Answer each related question noting the results to each in detail
while performing the diagnostics. Review the entire bulletin before beginning in order to understand
the flow for the listed concern. If the concern you have is not listed, check the Service Manual
“Infotainment (Diagnostics) - Diagnostics with Phenomena” section as a starting point.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.

1) Always confirm the condition as reported by the customer.
2) If the concern is with the clock not updating /
incorrect date and time, answer the questions
under Item 2) (a-d). If not, skip this item and
proceed to Item 3 below.
NOTE: Head units (HU) with Navigation
update the clock using GPS data automatically.
a. What is the clock adjustment setting,
Manual or Auto? (Clock setting
information can be found under Settings
> Vehicle > Clock Adjustment as shown
below.)
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: 15-229-18R; Revised: 11/15/19

Continued...
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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 4

b. If the “Auto” setting is selected and the HU is a High (Navigation) -grade, check the date
and GMT time setting.
i. Open the Navigation System Sensor
screen. Press and hold the Home hard
key and press the Tune knob 6 times, then
release the Home button. In the Dealer
menu, select “Function check” > “Navi
System Sensor” (See screenshot to the
right.)
ii. Does the screen show the correct date and
GMT time?
iii. Note the number of satellites acquired. If none, move vehicle to an area with open
sky.
iv. If system does not show the correct time while in open sky, investigate the GPS
antenna:
1. Ensure the GPS antenna is connected and fully seated into the grey fakra
connector on the head unit.
2. Confirm there is no damage to cable/antenna.
c. If the HU is Mid or Base -grade, a paired phone is required along with access to the
user’s phonebook and SMS messages activated for the “Auto” selection to function and
automatically update the correct date and time. Message access should be available from
the phone’s Settings menu under Phone > Messages. If the button is gray, then message
access from the phone was most likely not accepted. Follow the set-up steps below:
i. Is a phone paired to the head unit?
ii. If the Messages button is still grey, delete and re-pair the phone. The next section
describes the access process for the most common types of devices: Apple iPhones
and Android phones. NOTE: These steps could vary between device models.
1. Android Phone:
Once the phone is paired to the
head unit, the phone will display
a pop-up prompting the user to
accept access to Phonebook /
Contacts. Select “ALLOW”.
You may also receive follow up
messages for access to phone
history (log) and messages.
Make sure to allow access to all
of them. (See screenshots to the
right.)

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-229-18R; Revised: 11/15/19

Page 2 of 4

2. iPhone:
After pairing, access must be enabled on the
phone. To do this, go to Settings > Bluetooth >
Select the paired head unit labeled “Subaru
BT” and make sure both Sync Contacts and
Show Notifications are enabled. (See
screenshot to the right.)

iii. After these items are enabled, disconnect the device from the head unit then
reconnect. (See example screenshot of head unit display below.)

iv. Confirm both the Phonebook and Messages buttons on the display are highlighted
(activated) as shown below.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-229-18R; Revised: 11/15/19

Page 3 of 4

d. If the “Manual” setting is selected for clock adjustment, the settings to the Multi-Function
Display (MFD) in the combination meter are made using the i/Set and +/- buttons on the
steering wheel. Models with a color Multi-Function Display (MFD) in the center of the
dash use the i/Set button on the steering wheel and the up / down buttons located on the
MFD.
i. If vehicle is equipped with a color
MFD, press the i/Set button until
the MFD displays the “Hold SET
button” screen. Hold the i/Set
steering wheel button to enter the
settings menu. The date and time
settings are accessible from this
menu.

3) the concern is for other clock issues, please complete a fresh Harman Investigation Guide
Questionnaire documenting the customer’s concern and the results of each diagnostic step in
this bulletin. If possible, capture a video of the condition then contact the SOA Techline to
review for next steps. Techline will request you send the completed questionnaire, step by
step bulletin results and any videos of the condition.

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
HARMAN CLOCK TROUBLESHOOTING

Labor Operation # Labor Time
A849-025

0.5

Fail Code

H/U Type

TAQ-43

Base, Mid & High

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: 15-229-18R; Revised: 11/15/19

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