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August 2020

Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter
Articles Contained
in this Issue
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CODE ARTICLE...................................................................PAGE

01

QMR of the Month

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

(00) STIS New Releases....................................6-7

Jeremy DeGroot from
Capitol Subaru in San Jose, CA

(01) QMR of the Month......................................1-2
(01) QMR of the Month Award
Presentations................................................ 2
Tech Tips Greatest Tips
(01) Cell Phones, Air Tools and the Techline....... 3
(10) Recovery of Contaminated R-1234yf........3-4
(12) Water leaking into cabin from door trim all
models and model years...........................4-5
(15) Remote Engine Start/ Power Rear Gate
Inoperative on Push to Start Vehicles.......... 5

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
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

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

Our June QMR of the Month report outlined the diagnosis and repair
of a 2020MY Impreza which presented with a customer concern of
all the combination meter warning light coming on. After confirming
the condition as reported, Jeremy began his diagnosis by checking
for DTCs which revealed a U1235 in each of the networked control
units for a loss of communication with the EyeSight system. He
proceeded to remove the EyeSight stereo camera cover and found
connector R137 securely locked into the camera assembly. Jeremy
then used his DVOM to inspect for proper ignition and battery
power supply voltages along with the ground wiring to the camera
and confirmed normal values for each. Since proper power and
ground values were present and there was still a communication
failure, Jeremy accessed the EyeSight wiring diagram and turned
his attention to the CAN system. After disconnecting the battery
to check resistance of the CAN network at pins 9 and 10 of the
EyeSight camera connection (R137), he found open resistance (OL)
when it should have been approximately 60 ohms. Further review of
the wiring diagram showed only one harness connection between
the stereo camera and the BIU: R96 to i19 located behind the rightside A-pillar trim. With the intention of using the split-half technique
to isolate the apparent open CAN circuit, he removed the A-pillar trim
to access the suspect harness connector but immediately noticed
pin 5 of R96 (blue CAN wire) had backed out. Jeremy removed the
affected pin terminal and after a close inspection with no damage
found, reinstalled the pin back into the connector and heard it click
into place. A confirmation test of the CAN resistance showed a
normal 60 ohms. He then reconnected the battery, started the
vehicle and verified all the warning lights previously illuminated
cycled off normally. Jeremy’s post-repair road test revealed no
further concerns confirming a sound repair.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us, Jeremy 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.

August 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 July 2020 were:

•

Dan Gengel from Beardmore Subaru in Bellevue, NE

•

Sean Ernest from Annapolis Subaru in Annapolis, MD

•

David Rizzo from West Herr Subaru in Orchard Park, NY

•

Daniel Evans from North Reading Subaru in North Reading, 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 include a photo (whenever
available) of the recipient’s award presentation in TIPS. The winner selected from QMR of the Month
submissions received during June 2020 was Jeremy DeGroodt, a Senior Master Technician from
Capitol Subaru in San Jose, CA.

Jeremy is shown after being presented with his $500.00 Snap-On Gift Card by his Service Manager at Capitol, Miguel Villa.
Congratulations and THANK YOU to our June 2020 QMR of the Month Award recipient!

August 2020 TechTIPS

Page 2 of 8

This series features TechTIPS articles frequently referred to by Techline. This month’s feature is
from September 2009.

01

Cell Phones, Air Tools and the Techline

In previous issues of TechTIPS, we published an article called “Calling the Techline… Can You Hear
Me Now?” This month, we would like to pass along some reminders and reiterate a few very simple
requests. We all know how the use of cell phones has become second-nature to most of us and an
essential “tool” for getting things done. Unfortunately, reception issues are still prevalent which makes
it hard for us to hear you (or for you to hear us). If you are going to call the Techline on your cell phone,
please make sure you are in an area where signal strength and/or background noise are not issues,
as it is frustrating on both ends when information has to be repeated. Additionally, calling us while
standing near a co-worker who is using an air tool makes things particularly “challenging” on our end.
NOTE: For obvious safety reasons and certain state laws, Techline reps will NOT talk to Technicians
using cell phones while driving a customer’s car.

10

Recovery of Contaminated R-1234yf

The Robinair® Models AC1234-6 and AC1234-9 are designed and certified to SAE J2843 HFO-1234yf
Recovery/Recycling/Recharging Equipment for Flammable Refrigerants for Mobile Air Conditioning
Systems. The machine is designed to recover and recycle R1234yf refrigerant, evacuate air after
the system has been open, and recharge refrigerant. The new regulations require that a refrigerant
identifier be part of the equipment which prevents recycling or evacuation of contaminated refrigerant.

Either Robinair® machine will identify the refrigerant of the vehicle being serviced during all procedures.
This includes; diagnostic pressure checks, evacuation, and re-charging. The identification procedure
cannot be circumvented. If contaminated refrigerant is detected, a separate evacuation machine and
storage tank must be used to clear the machine and the subject vehicle.

HFO 1234yf must be at least 98% pure before the machine will recycle the refrigerant in a vehicle.

Continued on the next page
August 2020 TechTIPS

Page 3 of 8

10

Recovery of Contaminated R-1234yf (CONTINUED)

NOTE: Recovery tanks for contaminated refrigerant are gray with a black top.
When the system identifies the refrigerant is contaminated, a special procedure is required for recovery.
Please use the Instruction Manual for the Robinair® AC1234-6 or the Robinair® AC1234-9 for specific
instructions on how to recover the contaminated refrigerant.

12

Water Leaking Into Cabin From Door Trim- All Models and Model Years

When a customer is concerned with water dripping from the door
panel to side-sill or into the vehicle, do not overlook the sealing
cover installation. Gaps in the cover’s sealant can create a route
for water to escape. This condition has been identified on all four
doors and in some cases multiple doors on the same vehicle.
When encountering this condition, first verify the door drain is free
and clear by water testing. Water test with the window glass fully
closed and the door open. Pour water down the glass from the
outside of the vehicle. There is a small drain hole at the bottom of
the door that water should drain from. If it does not, clear the drain
and test again to confirm if debris blocking the drain was the only
concern or not. After water testing the door and verifying the drain
operates as designed, CAREFULLY remove the door trim panel
and visually inspect the sealing cover. If inspection finds any gaps
in the sealant, do not replace the sealing cover. Instead repair the
condition by carefully removing and reinstalling the sealing cover
(making sure to apply even pressure around the parameter of the
cover) then visually verify there are no remaining sealant gaps. A
final water test will confirm the is repair.

Continued on the next page
August 2020 TechTIPS

Page 4 of 8

12

Water Leaking Into Cabin From Door Trim- All Models and Model Years (CONTINUED)

Recommended materials can be found in TSB 01-167-08R. Butyl Rubber Tear Tape is listed here as
reference and can be found on page 4 of the bulletin.

15

Remote Engine Start/ Power Rear Gate Inoperative on Push to Start Vehicles

When presented with a customer concern of the Remote Engine Start (RES) not working, or the Power
Rear Gate (PRG) is inoperative with the engine running, be sure to inspect the Park Position Switch and
signal to the BIU. This concern may not always be easy to spot as a Push Start vehicle will still be able to
be started, even if the BIU is not reading the correct input. When the RES is activated, the control module
checks the BIU input of the Park Switch before it will operate. If it does not see this, the RES will fail to
start the vehicle. Check the BIU P SW reading in the live data.

Likewise, the PRG looks for this P SW signal from the BIU to activate while the engine is running.
Continued on the next page
August 2020 TechTIPS

Page 5 of 8

00

STIS New Releases

ITEM CODE
03-82-18R
H671SAN200
15-258-19R
B321SFL020
07-155-19R
07-143-18R
H671SXC200
MSA5B2102A
MSA5M2123A
MSA5M2113A
MSA5M2102A
U8290BE
15-270-20
06-78-20
E551SFL200
15-269-20
07-124-17R
H4510FL100
L101SSJ001
L101SSJ001
L101SSJ001
15-261-20R
06-77-20R
WTB-63R
H501SSG203
13-103-20
J101SFL600
MSA5M2118A
MSA5M2119A
MSA5B2107A
MSA5M2107A
U2600BE
07-176-20R
16-130-20
02-161-15R
J501SXC150

ITEM TYPE
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Service Manual
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Accessory Installation Guide
Accessory Installation Guide
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Subaru Product/Campaign
Service Diagnostics
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Service Diagnostics
Service Manual
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide

All revised publications are highlighted in yellow.
August 2020 TechTIPS

CREATED
DATE

TITLE
Clutch Release (Throw-Out) Bea...
PORT INSTALLATION: 2020MY Outb...
2020MY Legacy and Outback
PORT INSTALLATION: 2021MY Asce...
Power Rear Gate (PRG) Control ...
Power Rear Gate (PRG) Control ...
2021MY Ascent Wireless Charger...
2021 Forester Getting Started ...
2021MY Forester Subaru STARLIN...
2021MY Forester Eyesight Owner...
2021MY Forester Owner's Manual
2021MY Forester New Car Inform...
2020 Outback & Legacy FOTA (Fi...
2019-20 MY Ascent Brake Pad D...
2021 Crosstrek (all models) Fr...
2017-18MY Forester A/C Condens...
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
2021MY Crosstrek Fog Light Kit...
2019-21MY FORESTER TRAILER HI...
2019-21MY FORESTER TRAILER HI...
2019-21MY FORESTER TRAILER HI...
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
DTCs C1531 and C1741- VDC Cont...
Service Campaign - Electronic ...
2021MY Forester Service Manual...
PORT INSTALLATION: 2019-2021MY...
2021 MY Paint Coding Informati...
PORT INSTALLATION: 2021MY Cros...
2021MY Crosstrek Eyesight Owne...
2021MY Crosstrek Subaru STARLI...
2021 Crosstrek Getting Started...
2021MY Crosstrek Owner's Manua...
2021 Legacy/Outback Service Ma...
2021MY Legacy/Outback New Car ...
DTCs B118B, B11E5, B11E6 in Dr...
DTC P0730, Erratic Upshifting ...
New Installation Procedure for...
PORT INSTALLTION: 2021MY Ascen...

26-Aug-20
25-Aug-20
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5-Aug-20
5-Aug-20
4-Aug-20
4-Aug-20

Continued on the next page
Page 6 of 8

00

STIS New Releases

ITEM CODE
J501SXC130
B321SFL020
14-22-16R
09-72-20
167-000961EN-A
MSA5M2128A
MSA5B2100A
MSA5M2126A
MSA5M2124A
MSA5M2100A
15-236-18R
15-211-17R
L101SAN000
15-268-20

ITEM TYPE
Accessory Installation Guide
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Other/Miscellaneous
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Owner Manual
Technical Service Bulletin
Technical Service Bulletin
Accessory Installation Guide
Technical Service Bulletin

August 2020 TechTIPS

TITLE
PORT INSTALLTION: 2021MY Ascen...
PORT INSTALLATION: 2021MY Impr...
Special Service Tool Cross Ref...
Intake Manifold / Tumble Gener...
Battery Management Information...
2021MY SUBARU STARLINK Safety ...
2021MY Ascent Getting Started ...
2021MY Ascent EyeSight Owner's...
2021MY Ascent SUBARU STARLINK...
2021MY Ascent Owner's Manual
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
Reprogramming File Availabilit...
PORT INSTALLATION: 2020MY Outb...
USB Map Data Update Procedure ...

CREATED
DATE
4-Aug-20
4-Aug-20
4-Aug-20
31-Jul-20
29-Jul-20
29-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
28-Jul-20
27-Jul-20
27-Jul-20

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
August 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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