August 2021
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01

© 2021 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

QMR of the Month

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

(00) STIS New Releases....................................... 9
(01) QMR of the Month......................................1-2
(01) QMR of the Month Award
Presentations................................................ 2
(02) New and Remanufactured Short Block
.
Replacement Tips & Break-In
Procedure.................................................. 3-4
(07) Door Lock Battery Back Up Unit................... 5
(09) Won’t Take Fuel Concerns - Revisited......... 6
(15) Gen 3, 3.1 and 3.1 alpha Harman and Gen 4 .
Denso CP1 – Check for conflicting
.
accessories prior to performing a software .
update via USB Port ..................................... 7
(15) Gen 3 Bluetooth streaming stuttering issue .
update AKA BT Skipping with Apple watch .
paired........................................................ 7-8

SUBARU TECHLINE HOLIDAYS
& HOURS OF OPERATION
Labor Day: (Closed)
Monday, September 6, 2021

Mon. - Thurs.

8:30AM - 7:30PM EST

Friday

10:30AM - 5:00PM EST

Saturday

9:00AM - 3:00PM EST

Nicholas Lehman from
Capital Subaru of Greensboro in Greensboro, NC
June’s winning QMR of the Month submission detailed the diagnosis
and repair of 2020MY Outback Limited with customer concerns of the
Reverse Automatic Braking, Blind Spot Monitoring, and Power Steering
warning lights coming on intermittently. After road testing and verifying
the warning light concerns would duplicate when driving over bumps
and rough roads, Nicholas suspected a loose harness connection. He
proceeded to perform a DTC scan revealing various loss of communication
codes in the advanced safety CAN system. After review of the related
wiring diagrams, the search was on for the suspected poor connection.
While wiggle testing various sections of the instrument panel (IP) harness,
Nicholas duplicated the concern approximately 8 inches below connector
i52. Here, he found the IP harness had not been secured properly to a
body clip and was rubbing against a steering column alignment pin. He
proceeded to carefully dissect the harness in the affected area where
two CAN system heat-shrink wrapped joint connectors are located, each
containing 4 wires. Closer inspection revealed one of the 4 brown CAN
wires was not secured to the other 3 within the shrink wrap causing the
poor connection. Nicholas went further by inspecting both CAN joint
connections, soldered and re-wrapped them then went on another
“bumpy” road test to confirm the repair before reassembling the IP.
His QMR detailed the diagnostic steps taken, test results and included
multiple quality photos documenting the repair.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with us,
Nicholas 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 2021 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 June 2021 were:

•

Leo Gilmore from Ruge’s Subaru in Rhinebeck, NY

•

Chris Grad from Ganley Subaru of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, OH

•

Josh Arnold from Subaru of Corvallis in Corvallis, OR

•

Nicholas 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
submission received during June 2021 was Nicholas Lehman, a Technician from Capital Subaru of
Greensboro in Greensboro, NC.

Nicholas is shown above being presented with his $500.00 Snap-On Gift Card. Pictured here (left to right)
are General Manager, Ashley Murphy, Field Service Engineer, Joseph Marchica, June’s winning Technician,
Nicholas Lehman, and Service Director, Lamar Bordeaux. Congratulations and THANK YOU to our June 2021
QMR of the Month Award recipient!

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

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02

New and Remanufactured Short Block Replacement Tips & Break-In Procedure

1. Packaging, serial numbers and documentation.
When receiving a crated short block assembly, be
sure to inspect for exterior damage to the box/crate/
plastic shipping container. Document and report any
damage to your parts representative. After opening
the box, it is good practice to immediately document
the short block serial numbers. These numbers will
be necessary to complete The Credit Request and
Diagnosis Form. This form needs to be completed
with EVERY short block replacement and can be
found under the Forms and Downloads section on
Subarunet. It is a good practice to attach a copy of
the completed form with the Repair Order. If your
retailer has an electronic DMS (Dealer Management
System; ie, ADP or CDK), Techline recommends
taking a picture of the serial number or tag, and
saving it. If you are not familiar with identifying
these number sets, please refer to document code
SNLG_01; Serial Number Location Guide on STIS.

Remanufactured Block serial number missing?
When receiving a remanufactured short block assembly,
it may be found that the old serial number is ground off.
This is normal for remanufactured short block engines
only. Please use the metal tag glued to the top center of
the block for serial number identification.
Note: On some models, the plate is covered by the
coolant crossover pipe and will not be able to be read
after installation.
Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

Page 3 of 10

02

New and Remanufactured Short Block Replacement Tips & Break-In Procedure
(CONTINUED)

2. Short block inspection and preparation.
When removing the engine from the crate, inspect the
cylinder walls and machining. Make sure no damage to
the mating surfaces is found (gouges, sever pitting, etc).
If no lubrication is found on the cylinder walls, apply a thin
coat of clean engine oil to the cylinder wall surface with
an oil squirt can. DO NOT use a rag or fiber towel. If a
large puddle of oil is found at the bottom of the crate, or
in the plastic wrap, apply a light coating of clean engine
oil across the crankshaft journals (engine upside down).
This should be done before any other components are
installed onto the short block. After application, rotate the
crankshaft clockwise one full rotation (still upside down) to have gravity help move the oil down onto
the bearings. The crankshaft keyway should be returned to its original starting point (continuing in a
clockwise rotation) to coincide with engine timing chain installation. Do not rotate the crank shaft
counterclockwise other than when instructed in the timing chain installation instructions.
Be sure to review 02-157-14R, starting on page 7, for valuable information about cleaning,
inspection and assembly of chain driven engine components.
3. Engine Break-in recommendations
There are several myths surrounding proper break in
procedures for a new/freshly rebuilt engine. However, the
Subaru recommended break-in procedure for naturally
aspirated and turbocharged engines, can be found in the
Owner’s Manual. These recommendations cover all situations
and circumstances.
Before installing the long block assembly into the vehicle, rotate
the engine clockwise several full rotations BY HAND, with the
engine filled to the proper level. The crankshaft counterweight
will be soaked in oil and help lubricate the internal surfaces
throughout. This will also supply oil to the main pump and
saturate it. If any binding is felt or the engine will not rotate,
STOP, do not force the rotation. This could lead to broken
components. Instead, inspect for craftsmanship errors.
Note: Turbo engine head gaskets have different specifications
compared to the N/A engine head gaskets.
Under NO circumstance should the starter be used to prime
the engine with engine oil pressure. NEVER use clear
flood mode to prime the engine with oil pressure.
It is best to have the engine ready to start, on a cold start, and
let it run.

(The above picture is taken directly from the owner’s manual)

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

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07

Door Lock Battery Back Up Unit

Techline has received calls about identifying a newly implemented device for the door lock system.
The Battery Back Up power source was implemented into vehicles outlined in the chart below. The
Battery Back Up unit provides power to the door locks in the event of a collision that disables the
standard 12v power source. When the vehicle receives a strong impact, all the doors and the rear gate
are automatically unlocked, so as not to trap the vehicle occupants. The device is mounted above or
near the audio unit in most cases. Refer to STIS for specific model removal/installation, and inspection.
Note: When the ignition is turned on, the capacitor in the device is charged for 90 seconds.

Ascent

MY19 and Newer

Outback/Legacy

MY20 and Newer

Impreza

MY20 and newer (does not include
WRX/STI)

Crosstrek

MY21 and newer

Forester

MY19 and newer

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

Page 5 of 10

09

Won’t Take Fuel Concerns - Revisited

If encountering a vehicle with a customer concern of difficulty filling the fuel tank, do not overlook the
July 2017 and September 2017 Tech TIPS. If the filler neck, EVAP vent line and EVAP filter are free and
clear, look at the internal flapper valve of the fuel tank. This can be done easily with a borescope. Start
by removing the inlet hose off the tank and perform the inspection. Confirm your findings by removing
the fuel pump and inspecting the flapper valve from the inside of the tank. The photos below are an
example of a deformed flapper valve.

Deformed valve

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

Page 6 of 10

15

Gen 3, 3.1 and 3.1 alpha Harman and Gen 4 Denso CP1 – Check for conflicting
accessories prior to performing a software update via USB Port

Prior to performing a software update via USB thumb drive, please check the USB Port for the presence of
conflicting accessories (ex: additional thumb drives, chargers, etc.). Please remove all accessories connected
to USB Port prior to performing update. Leaving conflicting accessories connected while performing an update
may result in black display or the update failing.

Example:

15

Gen 3 Bluetooth streaming stuttering issue update AKA BT Skipping with Apple
watch paired

Techline has received reports from the field regarding stuttering/skipping concern while a customer is streaming
music via Bluetooth connection with phone device. It was found the concern was consistent when the customer
had their Apple Watch paired via Bluetooth to their phone device, and their Phone Device Paired via Bluetooth
to the Head unit.
The following steps have been provided for a work around of the concern. NOTE: This is not an problem with
the head unit and should not lead to unit replacement. This is a iPhone related characteristic. SOA is actively
working towards a resolution.
1. Confirm Wi-Fi status of the Head Unit (ON/OFF)
a. To Access Wi-Fi Status: Settings > Wi-Fi

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

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15

Gen 3 Bluetooth streaming stuttering issue update AKA BT Skipping with Apple
watch paired (CONTINUED)

2. If Wi-Fi Status is set to ON, please turn it OFF. Once the Wi-Fi setting is turned OFF, this will alleviate
the reported concern and the customer will be able stream music as intended via Bluetooth.

Continued on the next page
August 2021 TechTIPS

Page 8 of 10

00

STIS New Releases

ITEM CODE

WRE-21R
09-74-21R
WRD-20R
07-199-21R
15-286-21
12-322-21
07-198-21
15-285-21R
WRG-21
L101SAN000
18-216-21
18-215-21
09-77-21R
06-78-20R
12-224-21

ITEM TYPE

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

All revised publications are highlighted in yellow.
August 2021 TechTIPS

CREATED
DATE

TITLE

Ignition Coil Replacement
Cleaning Procedure for Carbon ...
Fuel Pump Impeller Failure
Measurement of Dark Current (S...
Telematics Diagnostic Strategy
Cross Bar Integrated Roof Rail...
Engine Not Starting / Excessiv...
Gen 2 Head Unit Identification...
Fuel Pump Impeller Failure
PORT INSTALLATION: 2022MY Outb...
Service Manual Corrections
Service Manual Corrections
Lack of Power / Hesitation Dur...
2019-20 MY Ascent Brake Pad De...
Trailer Hitch Fascia Panel / L...

31-Aug-21
30-Aug-21
27-Aug-21
27-Aug-21
26-Aug-21
25-Aug-21
25-Aug-21
24-Aug-21
24-Aug-21
23-Aug-21
23-Aug-21
23-Aug-21
19-Aug-21
18-Aug-21
13-Aug-21

Continued on the next page
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*** Now you can e-mail your TechTIPS input and suggestions to: tech@subaru.com ***
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 2021 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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