Engine Control Module (ECM) Reprogramming (WWF-89)

ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) REPROGRAMMING

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

INTRODUCTION

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has determined that some affected vehicles listed below may require ECM reprogramming. The ECM logic for the air/fuel ratio circuit may not be broad enough to accept the signal parameters of the A/F ratio sensor. Should the A/F ratio sensor signal repeatedly fluctuate beyond the parameters of the ECM logic, the CHECK ENGINE warning light / Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) will illuminate steadily while the engine is running, advising the driver of a malfunction and the need to seek repair service. Reprogramming the ECM will broaden the allowable A/F ratio signal parameters and correct this condition.

This condition is a software issue and has no impact on vehicle emissions or driveability.

This service program will involve reprogramming the ECM on affected vehicles.

AFFECTED VEHICLES

• 2000-01 MY Subaru Legacy and Outback with H4 engine and 4EAT transmission only. (Legacy and Outback vehicles with the H6 engine or  MT5 transmission are not  affected.)
• 2000-02 MY Impreza with MT5 or 4EAT. (Impreza WRX models are not  affected.)
• 2001-02 MY Forester with MT5 or 4EAT.

Affected vehicles are identified in the VIN range chart below.  NOTE: Prior to performing repairs, confirm coverage for potentially affected vehicles by using the Vehicle Coverage Inquiry in the Dealer Communication System (DCS).

MODEL			FROM	TO
Legacy  (1)	2000MY	Sedan Wagon Outback	Y7216796 Y7311191 Y7658510	Y7218478 Y7313778 Y7674127
	2001MY	Sedan Wagon Outback	17200013 17300038 17600009	17212059 17309150 17658747
Impreza (2)	2000MY	Coupe Sedan	Y(3)403351 Y(3)504668	Y(3)403888 Y(3)505796
	2001MY	Coupe Sedan	1(3)400001 1(3)500003	1(3)402563 1(3)503187
	2002MY	Sedan Wagon	2(3)500050 2(3)800021	2(3)504423 2(3)804023
Forester	2001MY		1(3)712940	1(3)769251
	2002MY		2(3)700001	2(3)705899
(1) Legacy and Outback vehicles with the H6 engine or  MT5 transmission are not  affected. (2) Impreza WRX models are not  affected. (3) Various characters may occupy this position of the VIN.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of affected vehicles on or around April 24, 2002.

A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included at the end of this bulletin.

DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY

Dealers are to promptly service all vehicles subject to this service program at no charge to the vehicle owner regardless of mileage, age of the vehicle, or ownership.

For affected vehicles sold after the date on the dealer's computer list, dealers are to contact those owners and provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter. They should also arrange to make the required correction according to the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin.

Dealers are also to promptly perform the applicable service procedures defined in this bulletin to correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used, demo). Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this service program is taken into dealer new or used inventory, or is in the dealership for service, necessary steps should be taken to ensure the service program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.

SPECIAL TOOLS

Dealers will automatically be shipped the necessary special select monitor reprogramming cables and cartridges for this campaign at no charge. If additional reprogramming cables and cartridges are needed, please contact your District Service Operations Manager for ordering instructions.

Part numbers are as follows: 

Select Monitor Reprogramming Cable - 22775Z0C00 

Select Monitor Reprogramming Cartridge - 24082X0A54 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

Using the Select Monitor Reprogramming Cable, Part Number 22775Z0C00, connect the Select Monitor to the vehicle's Diagnostic Link Connector (DLC) located in the vehicle's lower left dash panel. Insert the appropriate "Diagnostic"  cartridge for the vehicle being serviced, and retrieve and record any diagnostic trouble codes previously stored in the ECM.

If no codes are found  , proceed to the "ECM REPROGRAMMING PRECAUTIONS  and ECM REPROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS " section of this bulletin.

If trouble codes are found  , refer to the following table for the correct repair procedure. Make any necessary repairs and clear all codes prior to reprogramming the ECM.

DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE	REPAIR PROCEDURE
No Codes	Reprogram the ECM.
P0133	Clear codes and reprogram the ECM
P0031, P0130 (or) P1133	Replace the Front Oxygen (A/F) Sensor (refer to the applicable service manual for replacement procedure), clear codes and reprogram the ECM.
Any other code or combination of codes not listed above.	Refer to applicable service manual for additional diagnostic procedures. After completing repairs, clear codes and reprogram the ECM.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING THE CALIBRATION IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (CID) FROM THE ECM

The following procedure should only be followed when ECM reprogramming is not possible and you must contact Subaru Tech Line.

STATE EMISSION TESTING ADVISORY

After ECM reprogramming, the OBD system's readiness code monitors will set to "incomplete". Normally, the vehicle needs to be driven under a variety of conditions before the readiness code monitors will indicate "complete". (See page 3 of the November 1999 Subaru Technical Support T.I.P.S. and the State I/M Program Advisory Bulletin, number 11-68-02, dated 3/5/02 for details.)

SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Type or print the necessary information on a Service Program identification label. The completed label should be attached to the vehicle's upper radiator support.

A quantity of labels is provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional labels are available through your Area / Distributor Service Office.

CALIFORNIA / MASSACHUSETTS "VEHICLE EMISSION RECALL - PROOF OF CORRECTION" CERTIFICATE

The California Air Resources Board and the Department of Motor Vehicles Registration/ Recall Program requires that all emission related Recall/Campaign or Service Program repairs be completed before a vehicle registration is renewed. Please provide owners of vehicles registered in the states of California and Massachusetts a completed "Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction" certificate. Vehicle owners should be advised to retain this certificate because the California / Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles may require they provide proof this service program repair has been completed.

CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES

Credit to perform this Service Program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communications System.

ECM Reprogramming Only  - Use the applicable claim submission information for Reprogramming the ECM.

For ECM Reprogramming enter labor operation 145-580 for 0.6 labor hours.

Replacement of the Front Oxygen (A/F) Sensor and ECM Reprogramming  - Use the applicable claim submission information when trouble codes P0031, P0130 or P1133 were found and the Front Oxygen (A/F) Sensor is replaced and the ECM reprogrammed.

For Replacement of the Front Oxygen (A/F) Sensor and ECM reprogramming enter Labor Operation Number 145-515 for 0.9 labor hours. Parts will be reimbursed at dealer cost plus the applicable handling allowance.

CLAIM TYPE	CAMPAIGN CODE	LABOR	LABOR DESCRIPTION	PART NUMBER
RC	WWF-89	145-580 - 0.6	Reprogram ECM Only	None
		145-515 - 0.9	Replace Front Oxygen (A/F) Sensor and reprogram ECM	22791AA00A

Owner Letter

Subaru of America, Inc.

Subaru Plaza

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

www.subaru.com

SERVICE PROGRAM WWF-89 : APRIL 2002 

DEAR SUBARU OWNER: 

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that the Engine Control Module on your Subaru vehicle may require reprogramming.

Vehicles covered by this service program include certain:

• 2000-2001 MY 2.5L Subaru Legacy and Outback models with automatic transmission
• 2000-2002 MY 2.2L & 2.5L Impreza models with manual or automatic transmission
• 2001-2002 MY 2.5L Forester models with manual or automatic transmission

THE REASON FOR THIS NOTICE 

The On-Board Diagnostic System, which is part of your vehicle's engine control system and contained in the Engine Control Module, is designed to monitor your vehicle's engine/ emission control system. If a problem is detected, the "CHECK ENGINE" warning light/ Malfunction Indicator Lamp, located on the instrument panel, will illuminate and alert the driver of the need for vehicle service.

The Engine Control Module software logic for the circuit that controls the front oxygen (air/fuel ratio) sensor in your vehicle may have been programmed incorrectly during production. As a result of this condition, the "CHECK ENGINE" light may illuminate without cause. It will be necessary to have the Engine Control Module software reprogrammed to correct this condition.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO 

You should immediately contact your Subaru Dealer for an appointment to have the Engine Control Module software checked and reprogrammed even if you have not experienced the condition described above. Your Subaru dealer will perform this repair at no cost to you. The approximate time to perform this repair is 45 minutes. However, it may be necessary to leave your vehicle the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer flexibility in scheduling. Please present this letter to your Subaru Dealer at the time this repair procedure is performed.

RESIDENTS OF CALIFORNIA / MASSACHUSETTS 

The Departments of Motor Vehicles in the states of California and Massachusetts require that all emission related service program repairs be completed before a vehicle registration is renewed. They also require Subaru of America, Inc. to periodically provide a list of vehicles that have not had the service program repairs performed. The state will know that this service program may not have been completed if your vehicle is on that list.

Your dealer will provide you with a "Vehicle Emission Recall - Proof of Correction" certificate after the service program repair has been completed. You should retain this certificate because the California / Massachusetts Department of Motor Vehicles may require you to provide proof the service program repair has been completed.

These states also require that every vehicle pass an emission test (Smog Check) every two years and before it is sold. Failure to have this no-cost repair service performed may result in the vehicle failing an emission test and the vehicle may require future costly repairs.

CHANGED YOUR ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU? 

If you have changed your address, or if you have sold your Subaru vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us.

IF YOU NEED FURTHER ASSISTANCE 

To locate the nearest Subaru Dealer you can access our web site at www.Subaru.com and go to the dealer locator function. Or, you may call us at 1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783) during normal business hours for assistance. Please call us immediately if the dealer fails or is unable to make the necessary repairs free of charge or write to us at the address listed on the first page of this letter.

Your continued satisfaction with Subaru is important to us. Please understand that we have taken this action to assure your vehicle's proper performance. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this matter may cause and urge you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible to have this repair performed.

Sincerely,

Subaru of America, Inc.

Notice to Lessors

The lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter should provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s). The lessor should also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter is sent, the date sent, and the applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For these purposes, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced on the vehicle's title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of at least four months.)