home

May 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..................................... 9

(01)

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

Tech Tips Greatest Tips
(01) Lost Keys? Contact the Subaru
Techline...................................................2-3
(07)

Parasitic Draw (Dark Current) Testing
and Telematics DCM...............................3-4

(08)

Combination Meter Settings:
Kilometers to Miles.................................... 5

(15)

Incorrect Operation of Audio Unit
After Rockford Fosgate Upgrade
Installation..............................................5-8

(15)

A/C and Heat Conditions: Use of
Recirculation / Recirc Button.................... 8

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
Memorial Day: (Closed)
Monday, May 25, 2020
Independence Day: (Closed)
Friday, July 3, 2020
Labor 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 QMR of the Month Winner:

Christopher Vanaman from
Rafferty Subaru in Newtown Square, PA
Our March winner’s QMR outlined the diagnosis and repair of a 2020MY
Outback which presented with the power windows and automatic
seats inoperative. After confirming the conditions as reported, the
SSM was connected and a DTC U1822 was found stored in memory.
A check of the power supply circuits was next where SBF 2 was found
to be blown in the under hood Main fuse box (M/B). Replacing the fuse
restored operation of all systems but, Christopher set out to determine
the root cause of the blown SBF 2. He began by inspecting the current
(amperage) draw on each of the circuits powered by SBF 2. After ruling
out the power window system, he continued monitoring the draw while
operating the numerous functions of the power driver’s seat. While
observing the meter and lowering the seat, the current draw was
fluctuating to near 30 A then spiked to blow SBF2 again. Christopher
removed the driver’s seat assembly and began a thorough inspection
of the lift motor wiring. His inspection revealed a short on the purple
wire where the seat switch harness passes through an opening in
the seat frame. The insulation had rubbed through in one spot. The
exposed, bare wire was shorting directly to the frame but only when
operating the lift motor up or down. Christopher proceeded to repair
the affected wiring and add additional cable ties as needed to better
secure the harness and prevent any recurrence. He then replaced
SBF 2 a second time. After reinstalling the driver’s seat assembly
and clearing the memory, normal operation of all affected systems
confirmed a sound repair.
Christopher’s highly detailed report included all his testing results,
connector and pin locations and a collection of exceptionally clear
photos to further document the damaged wiring before and after repair.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with
us, Christopher will be receiving the following from his Field Service
Engineer.

$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.

May 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 10

01

QMR of the Month (continued)

The other Regional winners selected from QMRs submitted during March 2020 were:
•

Scott Clark from Carr Subaru in Beaverton, OR

•

Erik Rodriguez from Grand Subaru in Bensenville, IL

•

Joshua Haskell from Charlie’s Subaru in Augusta, ME

•

David Rizzo from West Herr Subaru in Orchard Park, NY

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!

This series features TechTIPS articles frequently referred to by Techline. This month’s feature is from
September 2017.

01

Lost Keys? Contact the Subaru Techline

If you receive a vehicle from the customer where all their originally registered keys have been lost, contact
the Subaru Techline for the necessary steps to program new keys. Depending on the immobilizer type,
you will be unable to just program one new key without an original key. Both immobilizer Type-B and
Type-D require an original key to make any changes to the immobilizer system. Without an original key,
a new one cannot be added. Unsure of which type immobilizer you have? Refer to the Quick Reference
Chart found in the October 2016 TechTIPS newsletter. Once you have confirmed the vehicle is the
Type-B or Type-D immobilizer system, the following:
•

Verify the vehicle is onsite.

•

Open a Repair Order with all necessary information.
ᵒ

VIN, RO number, RO date, Mileage if it can be obtained, etc.

•

Verify key type (push-button, turn-key)

•

Contact the Subaru Techline.

SOA will no longer clear immobilizer modules for salvage/rebuilt title vehicles. Please refer to
the Service Manual/Registration Manual for Immobilizer for repair of these vehicles.
When calling the Subaru Techline, please ensure all necessary information is available at the time
of the call. Once connected with the Techline, we will be able to provide the necessary procedure to
program new keys to the vehicle.

Continued on the next page
May 2020 TechTIPS

Page 2 of 10

01

Lost Keys? Contact the Subaru Techline (Continued)

See Latest Immobilizer chart below:
US Model
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Legacy /
Key Start
A
B
G
Outback
Push Button
D
H
Tribeca
Key Start
A
Impreza
Crosstrek

Key Start

A

B
D

Push Button
B

Key Start

D

Push Button
Crosstrek Hybrid Push Button
WRX/Sti
Forester
BRZ
Ascent

07

Key Start

D

F

A

B
D

Push Button
Key Start

A

B
D

Push Button
Key Start

X

Push Button

Y

Key Start

B

Push Button

D

Parasitic Draw (Dark Current) Testing and Telematics DCM

Techline has recently received calls with questions about Parasitic Draw (dark current) conditions which
seem to be resolved by removing the Data Communications Module (DCM) also known as the Telematics
control module fuses.
There are a few key conditions to keep in mind when testing for Parasitic Draw on STARLINK Telematics
-equipped vehicles:
1. The Audio Unit (A/U) will keep a DCM awake any time the A/U screen is on or sound is playing,
even when the ignition is switched off.
2. A DCM connects to the STARLINK server at the time key is turned off. When there is a network
connection issue, the DCM will continue to attempt to connect to the server, and/or if the MIL lamp
is illuminated just before IGN-OFF and network connection is poor. The DCM won’t sleep for up to
15 minutes after IGN-OFF.
3. The DCM will wake up if a customer uses any remote service function through Starlink APP.

Continued on the next page
May 2020 TechTIPS

Page 3 of 10

07

Parasitic Draw (Dark Current) Testing and Telematics DCM (Continued)

Condition #1: It is obvious the DCM is not the root cause of parasitic draw as the A/U will visibly be on
and/or audio will be playing. It requires at least 3 minutes following ignition off for the A/U to power down.
Condition #2: This is the most likely scenario for a misdiagnosis of DCM as the root cause of the draw.
Checking signal strength for the DCM using SSM4 in your testing area is important and if signal strength
is weak, testing should be completed after at least 15 minutes or more of wait time following ignition OFF.
Condition #3: It would be rare for a customer to be attempting remote services functions while the
vehicle is at the retailer for service for parasitic draw testing.
A vehicles DCM can power up or stay awake for various reasons including but not limited to: software
updates, Service Appointment Scheduler (SAS) usage and Ignition Off Data transmissions. When activated,
the Stolen Vehicle Recovery function will keep the DCM awake for a couple of days (this is a very rare
case.) Contact the SOA Techline to ensure Stolen Vehicle Recovery has not been activated if the DCM is
not going to sleep after 15 minutes. The Telematics system LED can stay on for up to 5 minutes after Key
Off and it is essential to wait at least 15 minutes after ignition off (key removed or all access keys at least
2+ meters away from the car) before proceeding to attempt diagnosis of Parasitic Draw and to determine
if the DCM is the root cause of the draw.
When diagnosing parasitic draw, it is crucial to follow the latest STIS Service Manual information as
additional wait time may be required.
Based on the information above, the best practice to rule out any possibility of an unexpected power
draw from the DCM is to wait a full 15 minutes for the DCM to go to sleep. Use a watch or smartphone to
keep track of time. After 15 minutes have elapsed, measure the dark current draw. If the draw exceeds
specifications, perform the following steps to ensure the DCM power supply is eliminated:
1. Pull the M/B fuse (under the hood) feeding the DCM.
2. If the draw is still present, next pull the fuse feeding the ignition supply to the DCM from the front
fuse box.
3. If the draw is still present, pull the fuse feeding the accessory power circuit to the DCM from the
front fuse box.
4. If the DVOM is still indicating a parasitic load higher than 70mA, the DCM should not be considered
the root source of the draw until further isolation methods have been performed to identify additional
parasitic loads.
NOTE: While the DCM may only take 15 minutes to go to sleep, there may be other control modules in the
vehicle which take longer, up to 55 minutes. See the related Service Manual for these details.

May 2020 TechTIPS

Page 4 of 10

08

Combination Meter Settings: Kilometers to Miles

When presented with a customer concern of the odometer reading in Kilometers instead of Miles, it is