ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER q
PARTS MANAGER

q

CLAIMS PERSONNEL q
SERVICE MANAGER

q

IMPORTANT - All
Service Personnel
Should Read and
Initial in the boxes
provided, right.

© 2019 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: All 2019MY Vehicles with Gen 2 Telematics

NUMBER: 15-242-19R

SUBJECT: Telematics System Diagnostic Quick-Reference Guide

DATE: 05/21/19
REVISED: 07/14/20

INTRODUCTION:

This Service Information bulletin has been developed for use as a quick reference tool to aid in diagnosing operational concerns of the Gen
2 Telematics system’s remote access features. It is STRONGLY suggested both Technicians and Service Advisors read through this material
carefully and in its entirety as the intent of this tool is to help Service Department staff enhance Customer Satisfaction, save valuable time and in
some cases, reduce unnecessary component replacements.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
VERY IMPORTANT: Any Technician or other retailer personnel who, despite service documentation and training to the contrary,
performs a DCM swap on a subscribed vehicle should NEVER release that vehicle back to the customer until after confirming the proper
operation of the Telematics system. If the issue is first discovered only after the vehicle has been released to the customer, then the retailer
MUST contact the customer immediately to inform the customer the ACN/AACN feature may not be functioning properly, and that the
vehicle must be returned for inspection as soon as possible.
REMINDER: Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Before performing any diagnosis, ALWAYS confirm an active subscription and the level of that subscription includes the
features in question.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru Added Security Gold plan, refer to the Labor Time
Guide on Subarunet for the proper claim coding information.
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: 15-242-19R; Date: 07/14/20

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...
Page 1 of 4

Remote System /
Service Not Functioning

Customer states the
Remote Engine Start (RES)
system requests are failing.
NOTE: This information
applies to push-button start
models only as Key Start
models are not equipped with
Telematics RES.

Inspection Points / Areas

Purpose of Inspection / Additional Details

Using the Subaru Select Monitor (SSM) confirm operation of LF,
RF, LR, RR, R Gate Switch inputs.

The RES system confirms all doors are closed and locked before starting.
Intermittent door switch operation could make RES fail for not seeing the
correct door position status.

Using SSM, confirm operation of Hood Switch input.
NOTE: Hood switch is now a component of the hood latch
assembly.

The RES system confirms the hood is securely latched prior to starting as a
safety feature to ensure there is nobody working in the engine compartment.
Intermittent hood switch operation could make RES fail for not seeing the
correct hood position status.

Confirm the fuel level using the fuel gauge.

The RES confirms there is a sufficient amount of fuel in the vehicle prior
to starting. Although this varies by vehicle, generally the low fuel light will
illuminate when approximately 2.5 gallons or less remain in the tank. A low
fuel level, inaccurate fuel level sensor or fuel gauge could be the root cause of
RES not completing.

Confirm operation of shift lever and Inhibiter Switch.
The RES will only start the engine when the vehicle is in Park. An improperly
Check Combination Meter, TCM and KACM (Keyless Access with
adjusted or malfunctioning Inhibiter Switch could possibly be the root cause of
Push Button Start control module) and also the pid in the BIU for
a RES concern.
the Park Switch signal (P SW).
Verify operation of security system. Ask the customer if a
RES was attempted immediately following an alarm system
activation.

A malfunctioning security system could be one source. However, after a
security system activation occurs, a manual push button start is required
before the RES will resume normal operation.

Verify operation of all door locks and the remote keyless entry
system through a visual inspection and SSM data (if necessary).

The RES system locks all doors for safety before starting the vehicle. A
malfunctioning door lock actuator, mechanical condition (lock / latch problem)
and/or electrical fault may be the root cause of a RES concern.

Using the SSM, check for any DTCs. Is B2A16 current or in
history?

The DCM must be registered with the immobilizer for the RES system to work.
Follow the 2019 Registration Manual for Immobilizer Other Than BRZ found on
STIS to perform the DCM registration procedure.

Using the SSM, check the following items in the
[Data monitor] > [Telematics]

Confirm the DCM is capable of receiving an Engine Start request signal.
Does the PID for Remote Engine Starter Active indicate TRUE? If TRUE, and
engine does not start, refer to Telematics System (Diagnostics) > Diagnostics
with Phenomenon > Inspection > Telematics Remote Engine Starter / RES Air
Conditioner Does Not Function. If FALSE, and it is confirmed the STARLINK
subscription includes this feature, there may be a provisioning problem.

Using the SSM, check the following items with
[Data monitor] > [Body Control]
[Data monitor] > [Keyless Access with Push Button Start]

Verify the Immobilizer has not been triggered preventing a restart: Body
Control - Immobilizer Set Memory = SET
Keyless Access with P/B Start - Immobilizer Set Memory = SET
IF SET is displayed, have customer contact call the Subaru CRS Call Center to
release the lock-out.

Ask customer for details about the RES concern. For example:
were any RES requests successful? How many times was RES
requested and for what duration?

After RES start, total maximum runtime will not exceed 20 minutes. Example:
5 Minutes + 5 Minutes + 10 Minutes = 20 minutes total runtime for a total of 3
remote engine start requests.

Bulletin Number: 15-242-19R; Date: 07/14/20

Continued...
Page 2 of 4

Remote System /
Service Not Functioning

Inspection Points / Areas

Customer reports inability to
remotely perform an Engine
Stop request after trying
multiple times.

Ask customer detailed questions about the time the Remote
Engine Start Request was made and how long after the
successful RES was the Remote engine stop request made? The
default configuration of these services sends an email and/or
text message to confirm service activation. Use the time stamps
from these if available to build a timeline.

A remote engine stop can only be performed within the first 10 min of a
remote engine start request. If the request was for 15 min runtime and the
remote engine stop request was performed during minute 11, the customer
would receive a fail message which is normal operation of this feature.

Ask for details about the concern. For example: was the vehicle
parked in a garage? Was the key away from the vehicle and all
the dash lamps not illuminated? Were any abnormal warning
chimes heard?

Most of the remote services require the ignition to be in the "OFF" position to
operate. Some customers who park in garages or driveways get in the habit
of leaving the keys in the car and sometimes forget to verify the position of the
ignition switch.

Ask for details about the concern. For example: was the vehicle
in park and stationary at the time of the request?

Almost all remote services require the vehicle not be moving when the request
is made. The vehicle confirms first it is in Park. Next, it confirms there is no
vehicle speed detected before it will issue a remote services request.

Using the SSM, check the following items in the
[Data monitor] > [Telematics]

Verify the DCM is receiving a Door Lock request.
Does the PID for Remote Door Lock Active indicate TRUE? If TRUE and
Door Locks are not active, refer to STIS for Security and Locks Inspection
procedures.

Using the SSM, check the following items in the
[Data monitor] > [Telematics]

Verify the DCM is receiving a Horn and Lights request.
Does the PID for Remote Horn & Lights Active indicate TRUE? If TRUE and
Horn & Lights are not active, refer to STIS for Security and Locks Inspection
procedures.

Customer states Hybrid Charge
Now requests are failing.

Use SSM to verify Hybrid battery state of charge. Ask detailed
questions about color and status of LED at the charging inlet.
Ask detailed questions about color and status of Power Indicator,
Charging Indicator and any Error warning lamps on the dash.
Check operation of charging inlet.

Hybrid batteries only charge when the state of charge is less than 70%. There
are charging indicator lamps at the charging inlet and inside the cockpit to
indicate many different circumstances which could affect charging. Refer to
the Hybrid Owner's Manual for specific information on charging, charging port
operation and operation of charging indicators. A faulty charge cable, charging
inlet or charging inlet lock assembly can all prevent normal charging.

Customer states no remote
service requests were working
previously but now, all are
working to manufacturer
specifications.

Make sure to ask detailed questions about the circumstances
leading up to the remote services request. For example: When
was the last time the vehicle was driven? How long has the
vehicle been sitting in airport long-term parking?

It is required for there to be a key on ignition drive cycle every 14 days in order
to keep modules from going in to hibernation mode and to ensure continuous
operation. Infrequently used vehicles or those left for extended periods may
enter hibernation mode and require a drive cycle to return remote service
requests back to normal.

Customer states only some
remote system requests
operate.
Examples: Remote Door Locks,
Remote Horn and Lights, RES,
Remote Climate control (Hybrid
model only).

Ask detailed questions about these locations. Was the location
underground, under a metal or solar awning, or inside a
Customer states Remote service
concrete structure? Do requests always fail at this location?
requests operate intermittently
Are there any unique geographic attributes to the area? For
at some locations.
example: on top of a mountain, at the base of a valley, or are
there any large broadcast antennae nearby?

Bulletin Number: 15-242-19R; Date: 07/14/20

Purpose of Inspection / Additional Details

Certain structures or geographic attributes can affect the way cellular signals
travel through the air, sometimes weakening or totally blocking the signal.
Verifying an area is within good AT&T cellular coverage is a good start.
Knowing if there may be other conditions impacting the coverage will help
identify potential impacts.

Continued...
Page 3 of 4

Remote System /
Service Not Functioning

Inspection Points / Areas

Purpose of Inspection / Additional Details

Ask detailed questions about locations where the concern was
noted. Was the location underground, under a metal or solar
awning, or inside a concrete structure? Do requests always fail
at this location? Are there any unique geographic attributes to
the area, for example: at the base of a valley, or while at street
level parking in a city where large buildings obstruct clear view
of the sky?

These remote services require the use of GPS. In order for GPS to register
and work properly, a clear view of the sky is required. Being in the shadow of
large building or mountains can impact signal performance. Parking within
certain structures could also impair these functions.

Using the SSM, check the following items:
[Data monitor] > [Telematics]

Verify the DCM is receiving Appointment Scheduler request.
Does the PID for Service Appointment Scheduler Active indicate TRUE?
Confirm Scheduler was being operated within an ATT 4G LTE coverage area
since this feature only functions using 4G LTE.

Using the Subaru Select Monitor, check the following items:
[Data monitor] > [Telematics]

Verify the DCM is receiving a Vehicle Locator request.
Does the PID for Vehicle Locator Active indicate TRUE? Make sure the vehicle
has clear view of sky and actual vehicle location is within 328 feet of the
displayed location.

Customer states intermittent
operation of Vehicle Scheduler,
Vehicle Locator and Vehicle
Security System notifications.

With the vehicle Head Unit (H/U) in Service Diagnostic Mode:

If vehicle is equipped with Navigation, you can use the Service Diagnostic
Mode to verify GPS operation.
GPS related check: Status of the GPS signal reception can be checked. When
there is faulty reception status, position detection or date indication, re-check
the reception status at a location with a clear view of the sky and no obstacles
around that will interrupt the signal reception. When normal condition is still
not obtained, the GPS antenna may be faulty.

1. Turn ignition switch to ACC

•

GPS/Reception number: Normal when it is indicated in blue.

2. Press Tune/Scroll six times while pressing "HOME" button

•

GPS/Status: Normal when OK is indicated.

3. On Service Menu, Click "Function Check"

•

GPS/Measurement ratio 3D:

4. Select Navigation System Check

•

GPS/Measurement ratio 2D:

•

GPS/Date: Normal when current time is indicated. When current date/
time is not indicated, click the Date Setting button to set the current
date on the displayed date setting screen.

•

GPS/Position: Normal when longitude and latitude of the current
position are indicated.

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: 15-242-19R; Date: 07/14/20

Page 4 of 4