September 2013
Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter

ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
CODE ARTICLE..................................PAGE

01

QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce this month’s winner of the QMR
of the Month.

Seth DeGraff

(01) QMR of the Month.................01
(01) Subaru-ASE Master Automobile
Technician of the Year 2013.....02
(01)
Towing Subaru Vehicles
Revisited.......................... 04
(02) 2.0L and 2.5L FA / FB Chain
Driven Engine Timing
Information.........................01
(07) HVAC Electrical Connections...02
(15)
Major RES (Remote Engine
Start) Differences 2007 to
2014 Model Year..................03

Capitaland Subaru in Glenville, NY
Seth submitted a very detailed QMR reviewing his repair of a
2013 Outback equipped with push button start that exhibited an
intermittent no-crank/ no-start condition. Seth found this was the
result of a soft set connection at connector B36. In appreciation
for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with us, Seth
will be receiving the following from his FSE:
A Subaru Confidence In Motion Jacket
and a $100 Gift Card
Any Subaru Service Technician can participate in QMR of the
Month. See the February 2013 Tech Tips for full details. You
may see your name here in a future issue of Tech Tips.

Congratulations Seth!

02

2.0L AND 2.5L FA / FB CHAIN DRIVEN ENGINE TIMING INFORMATION

When performing repairs involving the removal of the timing chain and related components, to
minimize the chances of improper timing upon reassembly, we highly recommend referring to the
Technician Reference Booklet (TRB) for Module 105: “Chain Driven Valve Train Boxer Engines”.
The illustrations and instructions found in this TRB present the information in a different manner
which many technicians have indicated they prefer over those outlined in the Service Manual. We
would also strongly recommend attending the Module 105 instructor led training course if you have
not already done so.
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
“ISO 14001 COMPLIANT”

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,
L.L. Bean, Baja, Tribeca, BRZ, XV Crosstrek and “Quality Driven” are Registered Trademarks.

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.

September 2013 TechTIPS

Page 1

05

SUBARU-ASE MASTER AUTOMOBILE TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR 2013

Subaru of America, Inc. is pleased to announce that Greg Sampley of
Maple Hill Subaru in Kalamazoo, Michigan is this year’s recipient of the
Subaru-ASE Master Automobile Technician of the Year Award. This is
the fifth year that Subaru of America, Inc. and the National Institute for
Automotive Service Excellence have presented this award.
Greg Sampley has been a loyal member of the Maple Hill Subaru
family for fourteen years. He has been a Subaru Senior Master
Technician since 2009 and was most recently the Subaru Technical
Competition Chicago Zone Champion for 2013. Greg has over 22
years experience in the automotive field.

2013 Subaru-ASE
Master Automobile
Technician of
the Year

Greg Sampley
Maple Hill Subaru in
Kalamazoo, MI

Mr. Sampley and a guest will attend the award ceremony on November 20, 2013 at the Fairmont
Luxury Hotel in Newport Beach, CA.

07

HVAC ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

The Subaru Techline and Quality Assurance Department have received several calls and submitted
QMRs (Quality Monitoring Reports) regarding inoperative HVAC climate control systems and audio
systems after a technician has replaced a bulkhead wiring harness or dash pad. From 2005 model
year and later, there are identical connectors that plug into the back of the A/C control panel and
audio unit. These connectors are easily confused with one another and can be plugged into either
component. The difference is wire location. As with any repair, you should always check the operation
of all vehicle systems whenever a major repair to wiring is done. The photos below show
the connectors side by side.

September 2013 TechTIPS

Page 2

15

MAJOR RES (REMOTE ENGINE START) DIFFERENCES 2007 TO 2014 MODEL YEAR

The reference chart below shows the differences in the remote engine start systems from 2007 to
2014 model year. All of the troubleshooting guides for these systems can be found on STIS.
In STIS, select the “Online Reference” tab, click the drop down arrow on “Publication Type” and select
“Troubleshooting Guide”. You do not need to put any model year or vehicle type to have all of the
troubleshooting guides returned. Next, simply click “View PDF” for the vehicle that you are working
on. There are detailed troubleshooting steps to check inputs/outputs as well as a parts matrix for each
RES system.
Major Remote Engine Start System
Operating Feature Differences
Feature
General
Operation

Audiovox
(Turn Key To Start Engine)
2007-2009
2010-2014
2007-2014 2008-2011 2009-2013
Legacy/
Legacy/
Tribeca
Impreza
Forester
Outback
Outback

Fujitsu-Ten
(Push Button To Start Engine)
2012
Impreza

2013
Impreza

2014
Forester

2013-2014
Legacy/
Outback

2014
Forester

Bi-Direction
Communication

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

Any door/tailgate
is opened

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

AT/CVT is shifted
from Park

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Key is inserted
in ignition

No

No

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

N/A

N/A

Engine start button
is pressed

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Yes

Yes

Hood is opened

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Brake pedal is applied

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

~3000RPM is exceeded

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes