November 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....................................... 7
(01) QMR of the Month......................................1-2
(01) QMR of the Month Award
Presentations................................................ 2
Tech Tips Greatest Tips
(16) TORQUE CONVERTER RELEARN..................... 3
(03) Front Differential Failure After Transmission
R&R............................................................... 4
(03) Binding/Sound While Turning....................4-5
(07) Electrical Connector & Pin Discrepancy...... 5
(15) Starlink App Soft Key Grayed Out................ 6

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
Thanksgiving: (Closed)
Thursday, November 26, 2020
Day After Thanksgiving (10:30AM – 3:30PM)
Friday, November 27, 2020
Holiday Break: (Closed)
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Friday, December 25, 2020
Saturday, December 26, 2020

Mon. - Thurs.

8:30AM - 7:30PM EST

Friday

10:30AM - 5:00PM EST

Saturday

9:00AM - 3:00PM EST

© 2020 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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01

QMR of the Month

We are pleased to announce this month’s QMR of the Month Winner:

Kevin Shiu from
Premier Subaru of Freemont in Freemont, CA
The winning QMR of the Month for September details diagnosis and repair
of an oil leak concern on a 2020 Ascent. Kevin verified engine oil leaking
from the rear of lower engine oil pan and passenger’s side front corner
of upper engine oil pan. He proceeded to remove the engine to closely
inspect for any additional leaks which could have been coming from the
CVT and / or rear main seal or separator cover due to the residual oil
accumulated at the bottom of front differential, trailing down to the drain
plug. Kevin’s inspection narrowed the oil leak sources to only the upper
and lower oil pan sealing areas. With the lower oil pan removed, Kevin
found the oil pick up screen restricted with pieces of sealer. After a review
of the vehicle Service History, he determined the engine had never been
removed prior to the current repair. Kevin also identified an area of the
lower oil pan sealing surface where there was less sealer used compared
to the rest of the pan. Kevin proceeded to remove and reseal both the
upper and lower engine oil pans. Once his repairs were completed, the
engine was reinstalled and the repairs checked closely with no further
leakage found.
Kevin’s QMR included a concise outline of his diagnostic procedures
along with a collection of high-quality photos documenting his findings
before and confirmation after his repairs.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with
us, Kevin 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.

November 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 8

01

QMR of the Month (CONTINUED)

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

•

Christopher Vanaman from Rafferty Subaru in Newtown Square, PA

•

Marco Yanes-Pena from Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru in Orangeburg, NY

•

Chris Grad from Ganley Subaru of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, OH

•

Nick Thomson from Clay Subaru in Norwood, 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 Presentations

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 August 2020 was Kevin Shiu, a Technician from Premier Subaru of
Freemont in Freemont, CA.

Kevin is joined after receiving his $500.00 Snap-On Gift Card from Service Manager Jacob Lozano (to Kevin’s
right) and Premier Subaru’s General Manager, Sam Asefi.
Congratulations and THANK YOU to our August 2020 QMR of the Month Award recipient!

November 2020 TechTIPS

Page 2 of 8

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

16

TORQUE CONVERTER RELEARN

If you receive a customer concern of a shuddering at slight throttle, it could be related to the torque
converter. The torque converter relearn should be performed on CVT vehicles anytime the TCM is
unplugged or the battery is disconnected. The purpose is to stabilize the lock-up engagement
quality.
Criteria for Torque Converter relearn:

Once criteria are met, safely drive the vehicle from 0-20MPH. Be sure to keep the engine speed
between 1,000 and 1400. After reaching 20 MPH decelerate the vehicle to a stop. Repeat 5 times.

Continued on the next page
November 2020 TechTIPS

Page 3 of 8

03

Front Differential Failure After Transmission R&R

Techline has been made aware of an increased number of front differential failures due to improper
fluid levels after transmission replacement.
It is CRITICAL to always remember to fill and confirm the proper level of front differential fluid when
servicing all transmissions. Low differential fluid will lead to a failure of the ring and pinion gears,
related roller bearings and eventually cause catastrophic damage to the transmission.
REMINDER: Allremanufactured transmissions are drained of all fluids after a function test on a
dynamometer.
Retailers MUST fill the front differential and the transmission with proper fluids. These fluids DO NOT
intermix.
Always review the appropriate Service Manual for specific procedures, proper fluid types and levels.
STIS>Service Diagnostics (select model and year) > Transmission/Transaxle > Continuously Variable
Transmission > Differential Gear Oil > Adjustment. All returned transmissions with clear findings of
improper fluid levels will be debited for the full claim amount.

03

Binding/Sound While Turning

Techline continues to receive calls asking if CVT Transmission Transfer Clutches are serviceable. Yes,
many of them are so, always refer to the appropriate Service Manual for specific information about
the vehicle being repaired. (Reference Claims Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 8.4.33
Replacement Parts)
Transfer Clutches should be inspected for wear and discoloration after eliminating other items that can
cause a bind/sound (e.g.: tires, transfer pressure, speed sensors, FWD mode). Transfer Clutch friction
plates should be inspected for “heat markings” and discoloration. The Transfer Clutch Drum should
be inspected for grooving “witness marks” as shown in Figure 2 below indicated with the red arrows.
Continued on the next page
November 2020 TechTIPS

Page 4 of 8

03

Binding/Sound While Turning (CONTINUED)

As a reminder the, transfer clutches and friction
Plates can visually look good as shown in Figure 1
but, grooving or notches in the drum can still be seen.
In this case, the marking in the drum is visible and is
an indication that torque bind has occurred. The
inside and outside of the drum should be inspected
for marking. Running a fingernail across the
marks replacement of all three during inspection
should be completed (clutches, friction plates and
drum). The marks provide a place where the clutches
and plates will stick resulting in binding and in some
cases, a sound.
When receiving a Customer concern of “binding
while turning,” “sound while turning,” or “lack of
power while turning” it is also VERY important to
keep in mind and measure tire circumference. With
all Subaru AWD vehicles, having a difference as little
as approximately 1/4” in tire circumferences could
cause premature transfer clutch wear, drum wear
and / or failure. A quick keyword search on STIS of
“Binding on Turns” will return a list of other
Technical Service Bulletins and TechTIPS articles
relating to this subject.

07

Figure 1: Visually “ok” clutches and plates

Figure 2: “Witness marks” on inside of Clutch Drum

Electrical Connector and Pin Discrepancies

Often the Techline receives inquiries on electrical connector shape, and terminal pin outs. It is important to
always refer to the pin numbers as shown in the Service Manual and not rely upon the numbers molded into
the connector. As seen below the connector is mold with the numbers 12 and 13 in the top right-hand corner,
these number should be disregarded as they are incorrect. The correct pins as shown in (Fig 1.) are 67 and 68.
For more information on Electrical Connectors refer to the Service Manual “HELP” tab, section 4.2.3.

November 2020 TechTIPS

Page 5 of 8

15

STARLINK App Soft Key Grayed Out

Techline continues to receive reports regarding customer concerns with their STARLINK App soft key being
grayed out on their CID display. If this is found to be the case, please note this is a normal operating characteristic.
The STARLINK App soft key will be grayed out until a phone equipped with the Subaru STARLINK App is paired.
Once a phone is successfully paired, the STARLINK App logo will illuminate and be selectable. The images
below show both scenarios.

(Unpaired/ Grayed out)

November 2020 TechTIPS

(Paired/Illuminated)

Page 6 of 8

00

STIS New Releases

ITEM CODE

15-255-19R
15-254-19R
15-211-17R
E7210FL110
15-261-20R
18-203-20
WRG-20
03-85-20R
SOA733P100
15-275-20
WUV-07R
MSA5B2108A
05-81-20
TIPS1219
16-131-20
12-300-20R
15-208-17R
07-185-20
12-296-20R
03-86-20
U1430BE
H630SFL002
15-130-08R
15-274-20
15-240-19R
06-81-20
10/19/2020
09-73-20
07-184-20
WRE-20
07-183-20

ITEM TYPE

Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Service Manual Correction
Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin
Owner Manual
Technical Service Bulletin
TechTIPS NewsLetter
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Service Manual
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Service Manual Correction
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin

CREATED
DATE

TITLE

Map Data Update Procedure for ...
Map Data Update Procedure for ...
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
STI Rear Roof Spoiler
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
Service Manual Corrections
Continental Tire Safety Recall
Propeller Shaft- High-Pitched ...
Pet Ramp
Microphone Testing Procedure f...
CVT Chain Slip
2021 Crosstrek Hybrid Getting ...
Rear BILSTEIN® Shock Absorbers...
2019 December TechTIPS Newslet...
Updated CVT Diagnostics for DT...
Power Rear Gate (PRG) Switch T...
Availability of “Gracenote® Me...
Seat Memory Control Module Dia...
Rear Frame and Stabilizer Bar ...
Clutch Master Cylinder- Additi...
2021MY Impreza / Crosstrek / C...
2021MY Impreza Audio Upgrade
Load Carrying Capacity Reduced...
Android Device Compatibility w...
New Harman Audio Amplifiers
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) ...
Service Manual Corrections
Radiator Coolant Seepage
Power Window Main Switch- Desi...
Ignition Coil Campaign
Combination Meter Replacement-...

Nov 23, 2020
Nov 23, 2020
Nov 23, 2020
Nov 23, 2020
Nov 20, 2020
Nov 20, 2020
Nov 18, 2020
16-Nov-20
12-Nov-20
10-Nov-20
10-Nov-20
10-Nov-20
10-Nov-20
9-Nov-20
9-Nov-20
9-Nov-20
9-Nov-20
6-Nov-20
4-Nov-20
4-Nov-20
4-Nov-20
3-Nov-20
2-Nov-20
30-Oct-20
30-Oct-20
29-Oct-20
29-Oct-20
27-Oct-20
27-Oct-20
27-Oct-20
26-Oct-20

All revised publications are highlighted in yellow.

Continued on the next page
November 2020 TechTIPS

Page 7 of 8

*** Now you can e-mail your TechTIPS input and suggestions to: [email protected] ***
This is your chance to offer suggestions for use in future issues of TechTIPS! Make
sure that if you e-mail us, you place in the subject line of your e-mail “For TechTIPS
Newsletter”. Thank you!
Model:
Year:
VIN:
Description of situation encountered:

Your suggestion for repair procedure, product improvements, etc.:

Please attach separate sheets, if necessary. You may also want to include Service Manual
diagrams or references, or your own drawings to assist in describing your suggestion. All
information submitted becomes the property of Subaru of America, Inc. Permission is granted
to Subaru of America, Inc. to print your name and suggestions in TechTIPS and other Subaru of
America, Inc. publications. Mail items to: PO Box 9103; Camden, NJ 08101-9877.
Your Name:
Signature:
Dealer’s Name:
City:
Date:
Dealer Code:

SUBARU
TECHLINE
Hours of Operation
November 2020 TechTIPS

Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Friday 10:30 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
Continued on the next page
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