CRITICAL: Be sure the BUB is transferred to the new DCM (or replaced where applicable).
8. Disconnect the connector and remove the BUB.
9. Visually inspect the date code on the outside of the BUB as shown below.
a. If the date code is over five (5) years old, the BUB has passed its life cycle and should
be replaced before installing the new DCM. The customer must be informed of the
expired date code and the need for a replacement since the BUB is a maintenance item.
The replacement cost is not covered by this no-charge DCM replacement service.
b. If the BUB is less than four (4) years old and no related DTCs are present, no action is
required.

NOTE: The photo above illustrates where the BUB production date is located.

10. Transfer the existing BUB (or new replacement BUB) into the new DCM.
11. Reinstall the battery cover.
12. Install the new DCM. (Refer to STIS: ENTERTAINMENT & MONITORING > Data
Communication Module > INSTALLATION.)
13. Reinstall all remaining components and interior trim in the reverse order of removal.
14. Reconnect the ground (-) terminal at the battery sensor. (Refer to STIS: REPAIR CONTENTS >
NOTE > BATTERY.) Always support the sensor and DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

Page 9 of 15

NOTE: After reconnecting the battery ground terminal, the following operations are automatically
performed in the vehicle:
•

Initial diagnosis of electronic throttle control.

•

Learning control of brake pedal stroke sensor. Therefore, before starting the engine, be
sure to place the selector lever in the “P” position, press the START button, and WAIT at
least 10 seconds without depressing the brake pedal.

•

Initialization operation of active grille shutter. CAUTION: Do not place hands, cloths,
tools, or other items nearby because the active grille shutter opens approximately four (4)
seconds after the battery is reconnected.

15. Start the vehicle. Observe and confirm none of the overhead console or stereo camera cover
assembly’s Telematics LEDs illuminate until after the blue iButton has been pushed for the first
time.
a. The presence of a RED LED indicates a problem. STOP and do not proceed until
the presence of current DTCs has been verified. Follow appropriate STIS, TSB, or
TechTIPs information to resolve the RED Telematics LED. Contact the FSE or Techline
for further assistance.
b. The presence of RED and GREEN also LEDs indicates a problem. STOP THE
UPGRADE PROCESS. Follow appropriate STIS, TSB, or TechTIPs information to
resolve the RED Telematics LED. Contact the FSE or Techline for further assistance.
16. Perform the DCM registration procedure by pressing and holding the blue i-button for 2 (two)
seconds or until the LEDs illuminate and start to flash.
CAUTION: Do not press and hold the blue i-button for more than 2 seconds during the COMM
CHECK or settings will return to factory mode in a low radio wave environment. If the settings
have returned to factory mode, perform the communication check again. To check the mode
status, see “Subscription Status” in the current data display on Subaru Select Monitor.
NOTE: Provisioning may take some time to complete. Once COMM CHECK is completed and
BOTH LEDs are OFF, move the vehicle to an area with a good cellular signal and allow at least 20
minutes for provisioning to complete.
17. Ensure the vehicle is parked in an area with adequate cellular signal strength. When provisioning
is completed, the Telematics system will automatically activate and the GREEN LED will remain
illuminated.
a. Provisioning can take considerable time to complete, up to an hour depending on cellular
coverage and signal quality.
b. If 1 hour has passed and provisioning has not been completed and the GREEN LED is
not illuminated, contact Techline for further assistance.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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18. Confirm the GREEN Telematics LED is illuminated.
a. If the Telematics LED is GREEN, proceed to Step 19: Telematics Functional Check.
b. If the Telematics LED is RED, connect SSM4 and check for any Telematics DTCs.
1. If ANY DTCs are present, follow the applicable Service Manual
troubleshooting found on STIS to diagnose the DTC. Check for related
TSBs or TechTIPS. If unable to resolve through available troubleshooting,
contact the Techline for additional support.
2. If NO current DTCs and the Telematics LED is RED, verify power supply
and ground using the applicable Service Manual wiring diagrams found on
STIS. Check for any related TSBs or TechTIPs. Contact the Techline if
additional support is needed.
19. Perform a functional check of the Telematics system:
a. Push the blue iButton and connect to the STARLINK call center. Have the operator
confirm the VIN and location of the vehicle.
i. Successful: Perform Step 19 iii where applicable (see IMPORTANT NOTE:
below); otherwise, the update process is now complete.
NOTE: If the Telematics LED changes to RED after pushing the blue iButton, but the Technician
was still ABLE to reach the operator and have them confirm the vehicle’s VIN and location, collect at
least 30 seconds of Telematics DCM data and contact Techline for additional support. Provide details
of all steps followed to this point and the collected Telematics data.
ii. NOT Successful: Move the car to a new location and try again. If still unsuccessful,
in completing the i-button call and reaching an operator, collect at least 30 seconds
of Telematics DCM data and then contact Techline for additional support. Provide
details of all steps followed to this point and the collected Telematics data. After
diagnosis and repair, perform Steps 16-19 as applicable based upon repair performed.
iii. If the vehicle is equipped with a Safety and Security Plus subscription, have the
customer verify remote services operation by performing a remote service request for
a door unlock, or horn and light flash.
1. Remote service request is Successful: Update is complete and the vehicle can be
released to the customer.
2. Remote Service request is NOT Successful: Move the vehicle to a new location
and try again. If still unsuccessful, contact Techline for additional support.
Collect at least 30 seconds of Telematics DCM data and contact Techline for
additional support. Provide details of all steps followed to this point and the
collected Telematics data.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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IMPORTANT NOTE: For Vehicles subscribed to STARLINK Safety Plus, there are no remote
services to test with this level of service. This subscription level does include the capability to test
the blue i-Button operation enabling Technicians to confirm the STARLINK call center receives the
vehicle VIN and location.
REMINDERS:
•

Refer to TSB 15-267-20 for Telematics testing requirements to ensure proper operation of ACN.

•

Refer to TSB 15-195-16R for additional information on testing requirements following DCM
replacement.

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform this replacement service will be based on the submission of adequately completed
repair order information.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

All claims must be submitted using Policy Adjustment (PA) Claim Type ONLY. Submissions
using any other Claim Type will be rejected.

•

ONLY these Labor Operation numbers and Fail Code are to be used when submitting the claim
for this replacement service.

•

NEVER use the Labor Operation numbers and Fail Code from the Labor Time Guide.

•

Alternate transportation reimbursement (rental / loaner) or towing expenses may not be
claimed for this replacement service.
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

3G SUNSET VOLTE SOFTWARE VERSION
CHECK ONLY

A067-938

0.2

3G SUNSET VOLTE SOFTWARE DCM
REPLACEMENT

A067-941*

0.5

Fail Code

Claim Type

ZTY-43*

PA

*Please note in the claim comments section if the vehicle had an open WQZ-61R service program
and it will be closed with either of these submissions.
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.
Continued...

Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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PREPARATION FLOW
Precheck Step 2:

Precheck Step 1:
Make note of the Telematics LED status.

Precheck Step 1:

Precheck Step 1:

Telematics LED is
displaying solid
GREEN.

Telematics LED is displaying
solid RED, RED and GREEN
Flashing or RED and GREEN
LEDs are dark (no color visible).

1.

STOP the upgrade.

2.

Inform customer repairs
outside the scope of upgrade
replacement service may be
needed.

Customer authorization for
diagnosis is required prior to
continuing.

Precheck Step 2:
Use SSM4 to check for the
presence of any Telematics
DTCs.

Precheck Step 3:

If B2A0C or B2A0E are found,
this would not prevent
completion.

Press the blue iButton to
perform functional check of
Telematics confirming VIN and
location once connected to a
call center operator.

Precheck Step 2:
Precheck Step 2:
Customer authorizes
diagnosis and repair.
Telematics system is
now DTC free.

Precheck Step 3:
iButton push SUCCESSFULLY
connects to operator. VIN and
Location confirmed.

Customer declines diagnosis
of condition.
End of Procedure until
required diagnosis and
repairs have been completed.
Document Technician
findings on Repair Order.

Precheck Step 3:
iButton push FAILS to
make connection to
operator. VIN and
Location NOT confirmed.

Precheck Step 3 (continued):
1. STOP the upgrade.
2. Inform customer repairs outside the scope of upgrade
replacement service may be needed.
Customer authorization for needed maintenance activity required prior to continuation of replacement service.

Precheck Step 4:
Connect the SSM4 to the
vehicle.

Precheck Step 5:
Verify Current DCM Software Version.
Follow Procedure to verify DCM Software
Version ID in the TSB for help on performing
this task.
Is DCM Software Version
05.00.10
05.00.17
05.00.22
05.00.30 ?
YES - Proceed to Step 1 of the Replacement
Procedure.

Precheck Step 3:
Customer approves and
required maintenance work
is completed.
Telematics system is now
DTC free, GREEN LED and
connecting to operator.
Continue with replacement
service procedure.

Precheck Step 3:
Customer declines
maintenance work.
End of Procedure until
required maintenance has
been completed. Document
Technician findings on Repair
Order.

If the current version of DCM software is
DCM_06.00.17_20190816, STOP, the vehicle has the
most recent version of software. Take no further action
and release the car back to the customer.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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REPLACEMENT FLOW
Replacement Steps 1 to 6:
Disconnect the 12V negative (-) battery cable.
Remove the DCM following Service Manual procedure.

Replacement Steps 7 to 9:
Remove the Back up Battery (BUB) from original equipment DCM.
Document the BUB’s production date code on Repair Order.
Inform the customer of any required or upcoming maintenance due on BUB.

Replacement Procedure Step 10:
Transfer (or replace with customer authorzation) the BUB to the new DCM.

Replacement Steps 11 to 14:
Reinstall the DCM / head unit stack.
Reconnect the 12V negative (-) battery cable.

Replacement Steps 15 to 18:
Push the blue i-button and CommCheck.
Wait for provisioning to complete. This may take up to an hour.
Proceed when Telematics LED is GREEN.

Replacement Step 19: (DCM replacement complete)
If provisioning has completed, the GREEN LED will be ON.
1.

Perform a functional test of the Telematics system by pushing the blue i-Button and
requesting the vehicle’s VIN and current location from the phone operator.

2.

If vehicle is quipped with remote services, it is highly recommended to confirm proper
operation by having the customer perform a remote horn honk remote service request.

Replacement Step 19 (continued):
Functional Check of Telematics System FAILED:

Replacement Step 19 (continued):
Functional Check of Telematics System PASSED:
Release vehicle back to customer.

VEHICLE CANNOT BE RELEASED TO CUSTOMER! DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR MUST BE
PERFORMED TO RETURN VEHICLE TO THE
OPERATIONAL STATE IT ARRIVED IN.
Reference TSBs: 15-267-20 and 15-195-16R for
assistance with testing and operational
compliance.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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Bulletin Number: 15-279-21R; Date: 03/31/21

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