ATTENTION:
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IMPORTANT - All
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SERVICE MANAGER

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

SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY: All 2019-24MY Vehicles Equipped with
Gen2 and Gen3 Telematics

NUMBER: 15-282-21R
DATE:

03/29/21

SUBJECT:

REVISED:

08/31/23

STARLINK Remote Engine Start (RES)
Diagnostic Information

INTRODUCTION:
This Service Information Bulletin announces additional diagnostic procedures and a detailed flow
chart to be used when diagnosing customer concerns regarding the operation of the STARLINK
Remote Engine Start (RES) feature.
RES is the STARLINK Telematics system’s most commonly used remote service, averaging as many
as two million requests per month. With this amount of usage utilized by Subaru customers, it is also
the number one reason they return to the retailer with Telematics concerns.
Due to the system’s complexity, a broad view of other systems in the vehicle is required to ensure
proper function of the RES feature. This document will aid in the diagnosis and repair of RES
concerns. This information is to be used in conjunction with the diagnostic information found on
STIS and TechTIPs. Techline and, when required, the assist of RES functionality and / or clarification
of testing procedures provided by District Service Quality Managers (DSQMs).
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
USING RES AND RES WITH AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL ON GASOLINE
ENGINE (NON-HYBRID) VEHICLES:
NOTES:
•

When using RES on a vehicle with automatic climate control (a.k.a. Auto A/C), the interior
temperature may not reach the desired setting depending on environmental conditions or air
conditioner performance.

•

For remote management of the seat heaters, the vehicle must be equipped with a 3-Mode
(low- med-high) seat heater.

•

RES will only operate for 20 minutes before the vehicle shuts off and need a push button start
from within the car. (Example: 5 Minutes + 5 Minutes + 10 Minutes = 20 minutes total run
time).

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: 15-282-21R; Revised: 08/31/23

Page 1 of 7

•

Any interruption of a RES runtime will start a 5-minute timer requiring 5 minutes to elapse or
a manual push button start to occur before another remote RES request can be made.

•

The RES system will always change the vehicle’s climate setting when equipped with Auto
A/C.

Customers who describe custom climate settings for use during RES must provide all parameters
presented for selection. Failure to obtain the described parameters will result in a failed RES request
when selecting the custom setting. Understanding how the customer is making a request and using a
predefined climate setting will verify if there is a problem with the customer profile the customer set.
ADDITIONAL RES CLIMATE CONTROL INFORMATION:
•

The default setting for automatic climate control post-RES will always be AUTO. The Auto
setting cannot be changed from the MySubaru App or the Customer Web Portal.

•

The only purpose of the “Manual” button on the MySubaru App or Customer Web Portal is to
provide the user with more choices for climate customization during RES operation. It does
not turn off the FULL AUTO or AUTO lamps on the automatic climate control panel or put
the automatic climate control into manual mode.

•

Even if the automatic climate controls are in manual mode upon exiting the vehicle
(FULL AUTO and AUTO are not illuminated), using RES with or without climate control
modification will return the automatic climate controls to the AUTO mode.

•

In AUTO mode, the air conditioning request signal is controlled automatically by the
automatic climate control system’s operating parameters.

•

Any modification to climate settings using the MySubaru App or Customer Web Portal will
become the current automatic climate control settings upon the next entry into the vehicle.

BEST PRACTICES:
1. Make every effort to verify the RES concern with the customer at the vehicle write-up.
Observe the vehicle behavior in question and document it with pictures or videos if necessary
to ensure complete understanding.
2. Most repeat repairs result from failing to fully understand the customer’s concern or a failure
to verify the condition has been successfully addressed post-repair.
3. Perform a direct test of the customer’s concern to confirm the condition as reported. For
example, if the customer says there is a RES problem, always verify the trouble while
attempting the remote service request.
4. After any repair to the telematics system, the Technicians must thoroughly test and verify
operation before releasing the car back to the customer. Unfortunately, the only postreplacement repair verification most often performed is an i-Button push. Pushing the i-Button
and connecting with an Operator ONLY confirms the new DCM can access the voice network.
A successful i-Button push DOES NOT guarantee the DCM’s ability to perform remote
service requests.
NOTE: Refer to TSB 15-266-20R for testing requirements and procedures.
Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-282-21R; Revised: 08/31/23

Page 2 of 7

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Voice service (an Operator answering after pressing the i-button) is
NOT an indicator of the Telematics system’s ability to perform remote service requests. The i-Button
push test aims to reach an Operator and confirm VIN and vehicle location information. Pushing the
i-Button and canceling the call once the ring-back tone is heard does NOT validate a fully functioning
Telematics system.
REQUESTING A REMOTE ENGINE START USING THE IBUTTON.
NOTE: CONFIRM the vehicle is outside with an unobstructed view of the sky.
1. It is essential that the testing occurs within 1500 feet of the Subaru Service Center address on
record with Subaru of America.
a. Please understand that this address may be the showroom street address, not the service center
location if both are in multiple places. If a request fails, it would be beneficial to perform the
test again closer to the showroom to ensure there is no location discrepancy preventing RES.
2. Vehicle in Park with parking brake set (EPB on).
3. The ignition is switched to ON with the engine OFF.
4. All doors (and the rear gate/hood) must be closed.
5. Push the i-Button. When the Operator connects:
a. Identify as working at a Subaru Retailer, providing your retailer code.
b. Request the Operator confirm the last eight characters of the VIN and the vehicle’s location.
c. Request a Remote Engine Start command be sent to the vehicle.
d. There is a two-minute delay until the command will complete.
i. Ensure the ignition is switched off.
ii. Open the driver’s door and exit or close it again to remain in the vehicle for the test
completion.
iii. Ensure you do not have your foot on the brake pedal if you remain in the vehicle.
iv. After two minutes, the horn should honk, and then the engine starts.
v. If the Remote Engine Start fails, continue the diagnosis.
8. The Telematics system is fully operational if the VIN, Vehicle Location, and Remote Engine Start
requests are successful.
NOTE: Remote Engine Start operation requires additional vehicle system input for the feature to
perform as expected. If the customer’s concern is focused on a RES failure, testing, and successful
operation, this feature MUST occur with the customer before releasing the vehicle.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 15-282-21R; Revised: 08/31/23

Page 3 of 7

Additional Information:
Also contained in this document is a table of Error Messages which may be experienced while using
the MySubaru App or Customer Web Portal. The purpose of this table is to offer what can be done
to move past the error. In some cases, due to an interruption in network connectivity or application
support infrastructure, there is no way to move past those errors until full operational service has been
restored. Other failures due to customer password or account issues instruct the Technician to contact
one of the support centers most prepared to handle the customer concern. Due to corporate security
policies, some circumstances require a certain amount of time to pass before an account can be
unlocked or working through multiple verification steps may be an option. Although these processes
can sometimes be confusing and frustrating, they intend to provide the highest level of security for
the customer.
The Importance of Park Switch to RES Operation
An often-overlooked essential input for the successful operation of RES is verifying the Park Switch
output. The Park Switch must be confirmed in the “park position” by reviewing PIDs within the
BIU and KACM. Both the “P SW” PID in the BIU and the “Shift P signal” PID in the KACM must
indicate “ON” when the gear selector is in the park position.
Any time there is a customer complaint of no start after RES request, technicians must take the time
to ensure that the park switch is operating as expected before investigating other possible root cause
points of failure.
Keyless Access Control Module (KACM)

BIU

Technician Support
Many systems provide inputs to the telematics system to enable successful Remote Engine Start. Due
to the complexity of the repairs and lack of diagnostic tools, there is a high incidence of unnecessary
parts replacement. Technicians that are unable to identify a root cause of failure should not replace
any components until they review this TSB and their diagnostic findings with Techline or their
DSQM.
When contacting Techline, please have the detailed testing results from this TSB as well as any SSM4
data containing PIDs from the DCM, KACM, and the BIU.
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: 15-282-21R; Revised: 08/31/23

Page 4 of 7

Flow Chart
1. Using the Subaru Select Monitor, check the following in Data Monitor of Telematics:

If Subscription Status does not equal “Subscribed” and
Remote Engine Starrter Active is not equal to “True”, a
problem exists with the customer’s subscription or level
of subscription. Remote Engine Start Diagnosis using this
flow chart should NOT continue.

Susbscription Status = Subscribed
NO

Any other indication here would indicate not subscribed or problem with subscription.
Remote Engine Starter Active = True
This PID indicates that the subscription provides use of RES
YES

2. Are any DTC current in the following Systems:
Telematics
Keyless Access with Push Button Start
Body Control
Engine Control
Air Conditioning

If current DTCs are found in any ofthese systems, first
investigate and repair the root casue of those DTCs before
continuing to use this flow chart to furtherr diagnose
Remote Engine Start failure.

Yes

NO

Signal Strength below 26% can indicate a poor 4G
coverage area. Try moving the vehicle to a different
location outdoors to see if signal strength improves.
Signal Strength must be above 26% to ensure successful
operation of remote services.

3. Using the Subaru Select Monitor, check the following in Data Monitor of Telematics:
NO

Signal Strength > 26%
Is Signal Strength greater than 26%?
YES

4. Before starting the test, it is
assumed the vehicle is parked
in a safe area. The Technician
will need to have MySubaru
APP and Customer Web Portal
access to the vehicle which
may reqire being added as a