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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© 2024 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

SERVICE BULLETIN
APPLICABILITY:
SUBJECT:

2025MY Forester

NUMBER: 12-256-24
DATE:

Insufficient Seat Heater Output

10/25/24

INTRODUCTION:
This bulletin announces availability of new reprogramming files developed to enhance the seat
heater temperature control. Customers may experience cases of insufficient seat heater output and/
or excessive time to reach optimum temperature of the seat heater. If this symptom is reported by a
customer, follow the service procedure outlined in this bulletin.
PFC FILE INFROMATION:
MY

25

Model

Forester

Specification

Old Part
Number

File Description

New ROMID

w/o
rear vent

88351SL111

ACN_S_DA9J_V40_PP_240807_68.pfc

23101B0002

w/ rear vent,
w/o rain sensor

88351SL121

ACN_S_DA9J_V40_PP_240807_68.pfc

23105B0002

w/ rear vent,
w/ rain sensor

88351SL131

ACN_S_DA9J_V40_PP_240807_68.pfc

2310590002

These reprogramming files are available on SSM5-R

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: 12-256-24; Date: 10/25/24

Page 1 of 4

SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION:
STEP 1: Using SSM5-R, confirm the reprogramming availability of the Air Conditioner Control
Module.
NOTE: Detailed information regarding the SSM5-R reprograming procedures can be found in TSB
14-28-21R.

STEP 2: Review the battery charging information provided in the APPENDIX A section of this
bulletin. Reprogram the Air Conditioning Control Module following the normal SSM5-R procedure.
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS confirm the NEW ROMID after reprogramming is completed.

Continued...
Bulletin Number: 12-256-24; Date: 10/25/24

Page 2 of 4

WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION:
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period or covered by an active Subaru
Added Gold plan, this repair may be submitted using the following claim information:
Labor Description

Labor Operation #

Labor Time

Fail Code

Heat/ Thermal Control Management ECU Reprogramming

A870-386

0.4

UYN-48

IMPORTANT: Always note the original Calibration Identification number (CID) / ROMID the
vehicle came in with on the repair order before reprogramming and, make sure to list the NEW CID /
ROMID for any newly installed programming (as confirmed from the actual control module AFTER
installation). The NEW CID / ROMID MUST also be noted on the repair order as this information is
required for entry in the Miscellaneous Detail field during claim submission. These numbers can be
read using SSM5-R.

NOTE: The pfc file listings provided in this bulletin are the latest available at the time of publishing.
Updates are often released thereafter without revision to the original bulletin. For this reason, it is
critical to always have the latest version of Select Monitor software installed on your system. You
can confirm if a later version is available by entering the CID listed in this bulletin into SSM5-R. If a
newer CID is shown as available in SSM5-R, reprogram using that file.

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: 12-256-24; Date: 10/25/24

Page 3 of 4

APPENDIX A
BATTERY TESTING INFORMATION:
Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) highly recommends utilizing either the Subaru Midtronics DCA8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System or the Subaru Midtronics GR8-1100 Diagnostic Battery
Charger to the vehicle and utilizing the Power Supply Mode feature anytime a vehicle control module
is being reprogrammed. Once the Midtronics charger is connected to the vehicle, if the battery is fully
charged, it takes less than three (3) minutes to boot-up the charger, select the Power Supply Mode,
and have the battery voltage stabilized and ready for reprogramming.
NOTES:
•

For instructions on using the Power Supply Mode, reference the applicable User Manual for
the Midtronics DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System and the Midtronics GR81100 Diagnostic Battery Charger on STIS

•

Confirm all electrical loads such as lights, audio, HVAC, seat heaters, and rear defroster are all
switched OFF before setting up the charger for Power Supply Mode.

•

Select the correct battery type (Enhanced Flooded, Flooded, Gel, AGM or AGM Spiral).

•

Input the CCA which matches the vehicle’s battery. NOTE: OE and replacement batteries have
different CCA ratings. Always confirm the battery’s CCA rating before proceeding.

•

If using a DCA-8000 Dynamic Diagnostic Charging System, set the power supply voltage to
13.5 Volts.

•

DO NOT connect the DST-i or DST-010 until the Power Supply mode function has completed
its battery test mode and the Charging Voltage has dropped to and shows a steady 13.5 Volts on
the display.

•

Once Power Supply Mode reaches a steady 13.5 Volts, connect the DST-i or DST-010 to the
OBD connector and proceed with initiating the normal SSM5-R reprogramming process.

•

Amperage will fluctuate based upon the vehicle’s demand for power. NOTE: If the voltage
rises beyond 14 Volts while programming is in process, the procedure will abort. This can
indicate a need to test or charge the vehicle battery before any further attempt at programming
is made.

•

ALWAYS set the power supply voltage to 13.5 Volts when using Power Supply Mode. NEVER
turn the ignition switch on when charging at voltages 15 Volts or higher.

•

Control module failures resulting from battery discharge during reprogramming are not a
matter for warranty. Should any DTCs reset after the reprogramming update is performed,
diagnose per the procedure outlined in the applicable Service Manual.

REMINDER: If the DCA-8000 or GR8-1100 indicates the vehicle’s battery must be charged, charge
the battery fully before proceeding to reprogram the vehicle while using the Power Supply Mode.

Bulletin Number: 12-256-24; Date: 10/25/24

Page 4 of 4