ATTENTION:
GENERAL MANAGER

q

PARTS MANAGER

q

CLAIMS PERSONNEL

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

SERVICE MANAGER

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

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:

2018-23MY Legacy and Outback
2017-23MY Impreza
2018-23MY Crosstrek
2019-23MY Forester
2019-23MY Ascent

NUMBER: 16-132-20R

SUBJECT:

Diagnostic Information for Alleged Chain Slip Condition
on TR580 / TR690 Transmissions

DATE: 12/18/20
REVISED: 04/27/23

INTRODUCTION:
This Service Information Bulletin provides updated diagnostic procedures to follow and a brief
questionnaire to complete when diagnosing an alleged Chain Slip condition on the TR580 and TR690
model CVT transmissions used in the models listed above. In some cases, the customer may have
had a concern of hearing an abnormal sound and / or felt an unusual vibration while driving. This
information is intended to provide Technicians a user-friendly procedure which will help to ensure an
accurate diagnosis and reduce the possibility of unnecessary CVT replacements.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
Customer satisfaction and retention starts with performing quality repairs.
After completing the questionnaire located at the end of the Troubleshooting section, following the
diagnostic procedures supplied in this bulletin and when determined necessary, service procedures for
CVT and / or TCM replacement remain unchanged. Always refer to the applicable Service Manual
and review the full requirements of the repair being performed. The Service Manual procedures
contain information critical to performing an effective repair the first time, every time. This includes
but is not limited to important SAFETY precautions, proper inspection criteria, necessary special
tools, required processes and related one-time-use parts needed for a complete and lasting repair.
VERY IMPORTANT: With any customer concern, it is important to get a complete and detailed
description from them so their condition can be duplicated. Duplicating the condition is critical for a
proper diagnosis and successful repair.

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.

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...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 1 of 12

Please refer to the table below as it outlines cases where submitting a Quality Monitoring Report
(QMR) is required when replacing the CVT. Ensure that all the necessary diagnostic requirements
and results, as listed in this bulletin, are included with each QMR submission. It is important to note
that the table and data requirements will change periodically, so always refer to the latest revision
of this bulletin with each CVT diagnosis. Coding for claim submission on vehicles requiring QMR
submission (shown in the table below) is outlined on pg. 10 and 11 of this bulletin.
DSQMs and DPSMs may at their discretion as District Managers, require retailer QMR submission
for CVT repair or replacement pre-authorizations. In these cases, the appropriate labor time supplied
from the coding information on pg. 10 and 11 can be added to the claim which DPSM/DSQM can
authorize.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 2 of 12

Troubleshooting Flow Chart for Alleged CVT Chain Slip:

#10

-Create a QMR/TechShare* if the
* vehicle
characteristics are found to be “Currently
Normal” when troubleshooting.

-Replace CVT
-Report results with QMR/Techshare***
-Reprogram TCM if applicable
***NOTE: Submit complete questionnaire
& TCM SSM data recorded during test
drive.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 3 of 12

PAK FILE INFORMATION:
IMPORTANT NOTES:
•

When performing and CVT replacement or TCU reprogramming, always confirm the fault
has been corrected.

•

When submitting TechShare/QMR reports, include the TSB number of this document (16132-20R) as a keyword. This is used to manage cases.

If the vehicle being repaired is not listed in the table below, or if the reprogramming file listed in the
table below is already installed , proceed to the next Step in diagnosis procedure. The reprogramming
file may be further updated in the future. Always refer to the most current revisions.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 4 of 12

Model

MY

File name

Specification

Old Part
Number

Keyword

New CID

19

30919AF98F.pak

2.4L DIT CVT without CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AF98E

1089258A

R8FEEA00

19

30919AF99F.pak

2.4L DIT CVT with CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AF99E

444FBA53

R8FEFA00

20-21

30919AH13G.pk2

2.4L DIT CVT without CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AH13F

4194C7F5

Q93EE000

20-21

30919AH14G.pk2

2.4L DIT CVT with CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AH14E*

89B6B0EA

Q93EF000

22

30919AJ53B.pk2

2.4L DIT CVT without CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AJ53A

D3DF9A7B

N2FEE600

22

30919AJ54B.pk2

2.4L DIT CVT with CVTF
cooler (air cool)

30919AJ54A

CED94BB7

N2FEF600

ASCENT

* A TCM with software version 30919AH14E as the current software status will require an additional
step when reprograming. Until further revision is announced, the Temporary PAK file used in WRK21/22 MUST be reprogrammed to the TCM before the 30919AH14G file can be installed.
NOTE: The temporary reprogramming files used in WRK-21/22 are not to be used for CVT chain slip
diagnosis on vehicles currently unaffected by WRK-21/22.
CVT Chain Slip Assessment:
There are three main forms of CVT chain slip.
•

Continuous Micro-Slip

•

Short-Time Slip

•

Long-Time Slip

Using Subaru Select Monitor (SSM), check and record data monitors and compare to the three
examples listed below. If the recorded data from the vehicle matches the examples below, the CVT
will require replacement. The SSM data will be required for claim submission. A QMR containing the
same information will also be required.
1. Continuous Micro-Slip:
During a continuous micro-slip, while the Accelerator Opening Angle monitor displays a stable
value for more than one second, there are fluctuations in the Actual Gear Ratio monitor:
Peak to Peak > 0.02
Frequency > 3 cycles per 1 second
There are fluctuations in the Primary Rev Speed and/or Secondary Rev Speed monitor:
Peak to Peak > 50 rpm
Frequency > 3 cycles per 1 second

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 5 of 12

Below are two examples of the data monitoring during Continuous Micro-Slip

2. Short-Time Slip:
When a short-time slip occurs, the changes in the Actual Gear Ratio monitor will be larger than
0.1 per 0.1 second. After the Actual Gear Ratio monitor resumes to stable conditions, distinct
fluctuations in revolution speed continues.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 6 of 12

3. Long-Time Slip:
When a long-time slip occurs, the Primary UP Duty monitor will be larger than 90% and the
Actual Pulley Ratio monitor lowers for a duration of 0.5 seconds or more. Even after the Actual
Gear Ratio monitor resumes to stable conditions, distinct fluctuations in revolution speed
continues.

Reference Material: Similar Symptoms To CVT Chain Slip
In some cases, a customer may report symptoms of chain slip when in fact there is no actual slippage
within the CVT. Listed below are examples of situations than can mimic the symptoms of chain slip.

1. Forward Clutch Slip Shock:
This shock can occur when the forward clutch slips. If this situation is reported, reprogram the
TCM with new software if it is available.
The rotation speeds for the upstream and downstream sides of the forward clutch do not
synchronize when driving.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 7 of 12

Example for
2.4L Turbo or 3.6L NA equipped vehicles

Example for vehicles WITHOUT
2.4L Turbo or 3.6L NA

Upstream side of the forward clutchSecondary Rev Speed

Upstream side of the forward clutchTurbine Revolution Speed

Downstream side of the forward clutchFront Wheel Speed

Downstream side of the forward clutchPrimary Rev Speed

Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Continued...
Page 8 of 12

2. Lock Up Clutch Engagement Shock:
This shock can occur when the lock up clutch engages rapidly. If this situation is reported,
reprogram the TCM with new software if it is available.

3. Shift Up Shock:
This shock can occur when the CVT upshifts. If this situation is reported, reprogram the TCM
with new software if it is available. If there is no new software available or the reprograming
does not remedy the issue, report the situation to Techline.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 9 of 12

4. Primary Up Duty Square Control (Ascent Models up to 2021MY):
A harsh shift can be felt while driving. If this situation is reported, reprogram the TCM with new
software if it is available. If there is no new software available or the reprograming does not
remedy the issue, report the situation to Techline.

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
NOTE: ALWAYS confirm and verify the specific vehicle Warranty coverage prior to performing any
work to the vehicle.
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period Powertrain Limited Warranty or
covered by an active Subaru Added Security Powertrain, Classic or Gold plan, this repair may be
submitted using the following claim information:
Diagnostic Claim Information
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

CHAIN SLIP DIAGNOSIS ROAD TEST, STEP
ONE AND QMR SUBMISSION

C303-715

1.3H

CHAIN SLIP DIAGNOSIS STEP ONE - STEP
2-1 AND QMR SUBMISSION

C303-716

1.4H

CHAIN SLIP DIAGNOSIS STEP ONE - STEP
2-2 AND QMR SUBMISSION

C303-717

1.5H

CHAIN SLIP DIAGNOSIS STEP ONE - STEP
2-3 AND QMR SUBMISSION

C303-718

1.7H

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 10 of 12

The diagnostic claim information listed ABOVE is to be used with in conjunction with the labor
claim information listed BELOW.
ONLY one labor operation from the above list can be used with an associated repair listed below.
Labor Claim Information
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Fail Code

REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION R&R
4AT/5AT/CVT/3AT

B139-301

TMA/TMB

NEW CV TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY
REPLACE

B303-091

MQJ24

PERFORM AUTO TRANS LEARNING
CONTROL PROCEDURE

B383-108

MFC42

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE R&R

B860-731

MJT42

NOTE: Labor times will vary depending on model. Always refer to the Warranty Labor Time Guide.

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: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 11 of 12

Questionnaire for Alleged CVT Chain Slip Condition
Please use all applicable check boxes.
vehicle speed box.

Please enter a number value in

Please attach SSM data files for both before and after pre- and post-repair.
No.

Item

1

CVT Temperature

2

Location

3

Vehicle Speed

4

Condition:

Immediately after starting the engine
Highway

Vehicle Used for
Towing?

6

Frequency of Slip
Condition

7

How Long Has
Condition Been
Occurring?

Symptoms:

Warming-up

Paved-road

After warming-up

Rough-road
mph

Driving Condition

5

8

Answer

While accelerating

While decelerating

While cruising

While turning
Yes

Only once

A few times

It just started

No
Intermittent

Within the last month

Always
From new

Noise

Vibration

Shock/Bump

Hesitation/Surge

Shudder

Jerking/Bucking

Engine RPM rise/flare

Lack of power / not accelerate

Deceleration feeling

Engine RPM not rise

Engine RPM fluctuation / hunting gear

Other (please describe:)

T/M assy replacement

T/M part(s) replacement

AT relearn / torque converter relearn
9

Repair(s):

TCM Re-programing

No repair made (inspection only)

Other (please describe:)

Example: Satisfaction / dissatisfaction level, further improvement requirements.

10

Customer Comments Post-Repair:

Bulletin Number: 16-132-20R; Revised: 04/27/23

Page 12 of 12