October 2014
Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter

ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
CODE ARTICLE..................................PAGE
(00) September STIS New Releases. 5

01

QMR OF THE MONTH

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

Toby Costa

(01) QMR of the Month.................. 1
(01) 5th Annual Subaru Technician
Competition......................... 2
(04) Electronic Power Steering ....... 4
(07) 2015 Legacy and Outback Cold
Weather Light Operation ......... 4
(07) 2015MY Legacy & Outback
Under-Hood Main Fuse Box (M/B)
Information. ........................ 5
(07) 2015 Legacy and OutbackKeyhole Shadow from Projector
Beam Headlamp ................... 6

2014 CALENDAR OF
SUBARU HOLIDAYS
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014*

Maita Subaru in Sacramento, CA
Toby submitted a very detailed QMR on his diagnosis and repair
of an engine wire harness condition found on a 2014 Forester
resulting in an AF sensor heater circuit code (P0037). Using
good electrical diagnosis techniques, Toby found a wire from
the AF sensor heater control circuit had shorted against the
tumble generator housing causing the code and repaired it. In
appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us in hopes of improving product quality, Toby will be
receiving the following from his FSE:

A Subaru

Confidence In Motion Jacket
and a

$100 Gift Card

*Techline Hours of operation will be
from 9:00 am until 3:30 pm EST.

Happy Holidays
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014

© 2014 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

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 Tech Tips.

See page 2 for the results
of the 2014 Subaru National
Technician Competition
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.

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.

October 2014 TechTIPS

Page 1

01

5TH ANNUAL SUBARU TECHNICIAN COMPETITION

Champion Stephen Larson
Stephen Larson of
Carter Subaru Ballard
in Seattle, Washington
is this year’s Subaru US
National Technician
Competition Champion.
Mr. Stephen Larson won the national competition
which tests the knowledge, skill and on-the-job
excellence of Subaru technicians in a variety of
diagnostic and hands-on challenges. This is
the fifth year that Subaru of America, Inc. has
presented the award.

Top left: Will Wright, Robert Frantz, Russell Geisler, Jeremy
DeGroodt, Tomomi Nakamura, Robert Black, Stephen Larson,
Greg Sampley, Dan Overfield, Tom Doll, Dan Vespertino

Bottom Left: John Maletich, John M. Hollingsworth, Jr.,
Hugo Lorenzo, Joseph Rahr, Brian Freeman

Larson attended Ballard High school in Seattle
and during High school worked part time at Arne’s
Auto service in old Ballard. Upon graduation, he
completed an apprenticeship at Carter Motors and
has been employed by Carter motors for nearly 15
years. Larson said; “I have always been interested
in the engineering and skill it takes to service
and repair automobiles including the technical
challenges involved and love working on Subarus.
I’m very excited about next year’s competition.”
In addition to receiving a plaque and a check
from Subaru of America, Inc., Larson received a
recognition gift from Fuji Heavy Industries (parent
company of Subaru of America, Inc.).
October 2014 TechTIPS

Stephen Larson’s photo appeared on
a billboard in Times Square

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Page 2

01

5TH ANNUAL SUBARU TECHNICIAN COMPETITION

In second place was Joseph (JB) Rahr of Don Miller
Subaru West, Madison, WI and third was Greg
Sampley of Maple Hill Subaru, Kalamazoo, MI.
Runner-up Group (in no particular order):
Robert Black
Van Bortel Subaru, Victor, NY
Russell Geisler
Day Apollo Subaru, Moon Township, PA
Will Wright
Pence Subaru, Midlothian, VA

From left to right:

Greg Sampley, Stephen Larson and Joseph Rahr

John M. Hollingsworth, Jr.
Subaru of Kennesaw, Kennesaw, GA
Hugo Lorenzo
Subaru of Hilton Head
Dan Overfield
Yark Subaru, Toledo, OH
Brian Freeman
Bob Moore Subaru, Oklahoma City, OK
John Maletich
Subaru of Loveland, Loveland, CO

BRIAN FREEMAN
Bob Moore Subaru, Oklahoma City, OK

Jeremy DeGroodt
Capitol Subaru, San Jose, CA
Robert Frantz
Peoria Subaru, Peoria, AZ
Mr. Larson is a shop foreman who has been a Subaru
technician for 14 years and holds the title of Subaru
Specialist. In his free time Stephen enjoys billiards,
fishing, motorcycles and snowboarding. Mr. Larson
will now go on to represent the United States in the
Subaru International Technician Competition to be
held during the fall of 2015 in Takao, Japan.
Tom Doll, President, Subaru of America said: “As
a company that takes great pride in delivering
excellent customer service, it is vital that we train our
technicians to the very best standards. Stephen was
a worthy winner of a very competitive event and we
wish him good luck in the international final in Japan.”
October 2014 TechTIPS

JOHN MALETICH
Subaru of Loveland, Loveland, CO

RUSSELL GEISLER
Day Apollo Subaru, Moon Township, PA

Page 3

04

ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING

Have you come across a vehicle with the complaint of the electronic power steering assist not
working? Does the EPS light come on without a DTC and there is a heavy steering feel? Check to see
if the battery terminals are cleaned and properly torqued. If the 10mm nut on battery terminal becomes
loose, it can result in a momentary loss in power to the EPS.

Electronic Power Steering Light

07

10mm Battery Terminal Nut

2015 LEGACY AND OUTBACK COLD WEATHER LIGHT OPERATION.

The 2015 Legacy and Outback now include a road surface freeze
warning indicator displayed in the Multi Information Display.
This should not to be confused with the Multi Function Display
found in the middle of the dashboard on other models. The
Multi Information Display in the center of the Combination Meter will
present this warning when the vehicles ambient temperature sensor
reaches approximately 37° F and colder. Please note that the outside
temperature indication may differ from the actual outside temperature.
Also, the road surface freeze warning indication should always be
treated as a guide. Customers should always be reminded to check
and monitor the actual condition of the road surface anytime they are
behind the wheel.
October 2014 TechTIPS

Page 4

07

2015MY LEGACY & OUTBACK UNDER-HOOD MAIN FUSE BOX (M/B) INFORMATION

Inquiries have been received regarding some confusion while performing the Pre-Delivery Inspection
(PDI) involving the under-hood (M/B) fuse box and its cover being used on 2015MY Legacy and
Outback models. Some had questions regarding what appeared to be missing fuses. Others
mentioned discrepancies between the fuse location / circuit name diagram located inside the fuse box
cover and the Service Manual. Before spending any diagnostic time unnecessarily, always keep the
following points in mind:
•

Refer to the June, 2014 issue of TIPS for Transit Fuse Information. Relocating this fuse is the
ONLY item which should need to be addressed inside the M/B during the PDI procedure.

•

There is no need to install any additional fuses in the M/B other than relocating the transit fuse.
For example, on 6-cylinder models, there are 3 empty fuse slots as shown in the photo below.
One of these empty slots is for the Active Grille Air Shutter System which is used only on
4-cylinder models therefore, the slot is left empty.

•

If a required fuse is truly missing, the circuit it controls will be inoperative and will likely become
apparent while performing the operational check portion of the PDI. In some cases, the Check
Engine light may also illuminate.

•

A very small number of discrepancies between the fuse diagram inside the M/B cover and the
Service Manual have been identified. When diagnosing an electrical concern, always refer to
the applicable Wiring Diagram section of the Service Manual.

October 2014 TechTIPS

Page 5

07

2015 LEGACY AND OUTBACK-KEYHOLE SHADOW FROM PROJECTOR BEAM HEADLAMPS

The SOA Technical Helpline has received a few calls
recently questioning the appearance of a keyhole like
shadow appearing in the projector beam headlamps of
2015 Legacy and Outback models. It should be noted
that the 3.6R Limited models utilize an HID headlamp
and as a result do not exhibit this condition.
The main questions have been:
•
•

Is this condition characteristic or not?
Why is it there?

The answer to the first question is simply YES. This
appearance is characteristic and there is no need to try
and repair or correct it.
The second question requires a more detailed explanation. The 2015 Legacy and Outback with
projector beam headlamps feature a longer and wider field of vision than the prior model year design.
This design has a focal point for the projector beam that is roughly one foot in front of the headlamp
lens (as shown in the drawing below). The area behind the focal point (shown in gray in the drawing
below) is not illuminated. This area is what creates the keyhole like appearance. As seen in the
photos below this non illuminated area only exists within the roughly 12 inch area immediately in
front of the headlamp (photo 1) and that the actual usable illumination beyond that point provides full
illumination with no gaps (photo 2) across the entire range of the lamp. So in a sense it could be said
that the keyhole shadow is actually a key to better vision.
2015

2014

Photo 1
October 2014 TechTIPS

Photo 2
Page 6

00

SEPTEMBER STIS NEW RELEASES

ITEM CODE

ITEM TYPE

TITLE

CREATED DATE

SOA7181002

Accessory Installation
Guide

Bumper Corner Molding (2 piece)

30-Sep-14

F0010AL500

Accessory Installation
Guide

2015MY Outback Side Window
Deflectors

29-Sep-14

02-157-14R

Technical Service
Bulletin

Surface Treatment Change To Oil
Control Piston Rings

29-Sep-14

02-147-13R

Technical Service
Bulletin

Surface Treatment Change To Oil
Control Piston Rings

29-Sep-14

02-145-13R

Technical Service
Bulletin

Surface Treatment Change To Oil
Control Piston Rings (2012-2013MY
Impreza and 2013MY XV Crosstrek)

29-Sep-14

02-144-13R

Technical Service
Bulletin

02-143-13R

Technical Service
Bulletin

09-58-14

Technical Service
Bulletin

Procedure to Improve Fit and Operation