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February 2020

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..............................11-12

(01)

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

(01)

QMR of the Month Award
Presentations ............................................ 2

Tech Tips Greatest Tips
(05)

New Model Alignment Specifications........ 3

(07)

2019MY and up Forester MFD Displays
Incorrect Vehicle Angle.............................. 3

(07)

Ascent Sunroof and Sunshade Motors...... 4

(07)

Power Rear Gate (PRG) Inoperative with
Ignition ON and / or Engine Running......... 5

(12)

Rattle Sound from Steering Wheel Area.5-7

(14)

Errors when Programming with
Flashwrite®2..........................................8-10

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
Memorial Day: (Closed)
Monday, May 25, 2020
Independence Day: (Closed)
Friday, July 3, 2020
Independence Day: (Closed)
Monday, September 7, 2020

Mon. - Thurs.

8:30AM - 7:30PM EST

Friday

10:30AM - 5:00PM EST

Saturday

9:00AM - 3:00PM EST

01

© 2020 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:

Brandon Moller from
Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru in Orangeburg, NY
The winning QMR Brandon submitted described a 2018 Impreza
with an unusual customer concern of the windshield wipers coming
on intermittently without any switch input from the driver. At first,
he was unable to confirm the condition but, after repeated attempts
and opening / closing the driver’s door to add some extra vibration,
the wipers came on erratically at 1-3 second intervals and with the
switch in the OFF position. After connecting the SSM to confirm
proper wiper switch input to the BIU, he verified the ON signal but,
it would intermittently switch to OFF for a split second which he
documented in his report by supplying a video attachment. Wiring
checks between the harness connectors at the switch and the BIU
were all normal with no shorts to power, ground or any abnormal
resistance found. Brandon suspected the wiper switch as the root
cause but before replacing it, he performed comparison resistance
and continuity checks between a new and the suspect part to
successfully confirm his suspicion. Normal wiper operation was
restored by replacing the faulty switch. Brandon’s report included
an additional video of the wipers operating erratically along with
detailed results and photos of the testing he performed prior to
replacing the switch.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us, Brandon 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.
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, Ascent, Crosstrek Hybrid and “Quality Driven” are Registered Trademarks.

February 2020 TechTIPS

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 13

01

QMR of the Month (continued)

The other Regional winners selected from QMRs submitted during December 2019 were:
•

Garrett Fuchs from Baierl Subaru in Pittsburgh, PA

•

Zachary Sklarew from Michael’s Subaru of Bellevue in Bellevue, WA

•

Dan Sexauer from Lou Fusz Subaru - St. Peters in St. Peters, MO

•

Nathan Williams from Atlantic Subaru in Bourne, MA

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

01

QMR of the Month Award Presentation

As part of our “enhanced” QMR of the Month recognition program, we will include a photo (whenever
available) of the recipient’s award presentation in TIPS. The winner selected from QMR of the Month
submissions received during December 2019 was Brandon Moller, a Technician from Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru
in Orangeburg, NY.

Brandon is shown above (center) after being presented with his $500.00 Snap-On Gift Card by Subaru
Distributors Corporation Field Service Engineer Jim Colamarino to his left. Pictured here (left to right)
are: Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru’s Fixed Operations Director, Joe Minns, Assistant Fixed Operations Director
Jessica Rolon, December’s winning Technician Brandon Moller, Jim Colamarino and Shop Foreman,
John Cote. Congratulations and THANK YOU to our December 2019 QMR of the Month Award recipient!
Continued on the next page
February 2020 TechTIPS

Page 2 of 13

This series features TechTIPS articles frequently referred to by Techline. This month’s feature is from
November 2018.

05

NEW MODEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

As new models are released, Technicians often find their alignment machines do not have the
alignment most up-to-date specifications stored. To ensure a vehicle handles properly and to provide
the highest quality repair for our customers, it is imperative to properly adjust alignment angles to
specification. Alignment specifications are found in every Service Manual by clicking Suspension
> Front Suspension > Wheel Alignment > Inspection. Once you have the specifications, you
can enter them into your alignment equipment. If you are unsure how to manually enter alignment
specifications, please contact your equipment supplier.
REMINDER: Always ensure your alignment software is up to date. Never use incorrect specifications.

07

2019MY and up Forester MFD Displays Incorrect Vehicle Angle

Technicians have been encountering a customer
concern of the MFD is always displaying the
vehicle pitch and/or yaw at a value other than 0
degrees even when parked on a seemingly level
surface. Diagnosis for this concern should start
with examining the Auto Headlight Beam Leveler
Control Module.
The MFD receives this information from the Auto
Headlight Beam Leveler Control Module. The
Headlight control module installation is key for
proper operation. The module is located above
the steering column in the driver’s front footwell
area. Check the mounting bolt and bracket to
ensure both are secure, and the bracket has not
been moved, bent or otherwise damaged.
After determining the mount is properly installed,
make sure to complete the reinitialization
procedure. This can be found in Body &
Electrical/Wiring > Lighting System >
Auto Headlight Beam Leveler System >
Procedure.

Continued on the next page
February 2020 TechTIPS

Page 3 of 13

07

Ascent Sunroof and Sunshade Motors

When replacing a sunroof frame, or during any sunroof diagnosis, it is imperative to ensure the sunroof
and sunshade motors are installed correctly. The motor for the shade and the glass look interchangeable
but, this is not the case as there are distinct internal differences. Also, the connectors for the motors
are the same shape which allows them to be easily installed incorrectly. Refer to the Service Manual to
ensure the correct motor is installed to each location and the correct connector is plugged in to each
motor.

Go to Body & Electrical/WIRING SYSTEM
> SUNROOF/T-TOP/ CONVERTIBLE TOP
(SUNROOF) > Sunroof Motor > REMOVAL for
motor identification.

(a) Motor ASSY shade
(b) Motor ASSY lid

AD41 and AD42 are the connectors for the
sunshade and sunroof motors. Notice the wire
colors and pin positions are identical, except
pin number eight. AD41 pin eight has a green
wire whereas AD42 pin eight has a blue wire.

Continued on the next page
February 2020 TechTIPS

Page 4 of 13

07

Power Rear Gate (PRG) Inoperative with Ignition ON and / or Engine Running

If a vehicle presents with a customer concern of the PRG only working when the ignition is OFF, check
the PID for the Park switch. If the PID shows the Park signal is OFF, the PRG will not operate. This
keeps the PRG from operating when the vehicle is in motion. The Park signal must be ON for the PRG to
operate. The problem was found to be contamination in the Park-Range switch located in the selector
lever assembly. See TSB 16-112-18R and the June 2017 issue of TIPS for more related information.

12

Rattle Sound from Steering Wheel Area

Late model Subaru vehicles have many different components installed to the steering wheel. Each
component has its respective wiring harness. When diagnosing a customer’s concern of a rattle noise
coming from the steering wheel area it is important to confirm the wiring harnesses are routed correctly.
Use this check point guide to confirm all wiring harnesses are routed appropriately.
Check point③
The harness is stuck
between steering
wheel and satellite
switch cover or not.

Check point②
The paddle shift
harness is touching
steering wheel cover
or not.
Check point①
The clips are grabbing
satellite
switch
The clip is
graving
harness
correctly or
brown harness
not.
correctly or not.

Check point④
The horn pad harness is
wiring Right-side of
satellite switch harness
or not.

Continued on the next page
February 2020 TechTIPS

Page 5 of 13

12
•

Rattle Sound from Steering Wheel Area (Continued)

CHECK POINT 1
Check point①
TheThe
satellite
switch
harness
(brown) isis secured
bytwo
twoclips
clips.
Make sure the harness is fully installed
satellite
switch
harness(brown)
grabbed by
correctly.
intoIfeach
clipdoes
as shown
below.
the clips
not grab
harness, please have clips to grab the harness.
Satellite switch harness

Clip

Clip

CHECK POINT 2
•

Make sure the paddle shift harness is touching with steering cover or not.

•

The paddle shift harness should be routed below the satellite switch harness. If the paddle shift
harness
is touching the steering column cover re-route the paddle shift harness below the satellite
Check
point②
switch
harness.
The
paddle
shift harness is touching with steering cover or not.

paddle
shiftshift
harness
should be
wiredtouching
below thethe
satellite
switchcolumn
harness,cover
so If the
paddle
shift harness
• The
If the
paddle
harness
is still
steering
after
correcting
theisharness
touching
to
steering
cover,
please
wire
the
paddle
shift
harness
below
the
satellite
switch
harness.
routing, please install non-woven tape or EPT foam tape on the paddle shift harness to prevent a
The paddle shift harness is still touching the steering cover after correct wiring, please install non-woven form
possible rattle sound.
tape or EPT form tape on the paddle shift harness.

Incorrect wiring
Paddle shift
harness

Steering cover
Correct wiring

Paddle shift
harness
Satellite switch harness
Satellite switch harness

Continued on the next page
February 2020 TechTIPS

Page 6 of 13

12

Rattle Sound from Steering Wheel Area (Continued)

CHECK POINT 3
Check
point③