Tech Tips December 2014 (TIPS 1214)

TECH TIPS DECEMBER 2014

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

15 2015 LEGACY/OUTBACK, STARLINK, AND IHEARTRADIO APPLICATION INFORMATION

Should you receive a customer inquiry about not being able to see the iHeartRadio app on their phone as a selectable choice after downloading STARLINK, here's the reason why. If the customer goes into the Settings menu of their phone before  pairing it to the vehicle, although the iHeartRadio icon will be displayed on the audio unit, it will not be displayed on their phone until after  pairing is complete. Once pairing has been completed, all five applications displayed on the audio unit will be selectable from the phone's Settings menu. Although chances of this situation happening are slim, should it arise (after confirming the Starlink app has been downloaded to the phone), simply pair the phone, open the Starlink app and all five applications should be selectable from that point forward

07 2015 LEGACY/OUTBACK UNNECESSARY POWER WINDOW SWITCH REPLACEMENTS

We continue to receive warranty claims and Quality Monitoring Reports for failed front door power window switches which operate normally when tested after part collection. Whenever receiving a customer concern regarding either front door power window switch operation and/or operation of the Auto Up/Down feature, always perform the initialization (or "reset") procedure outlined below BEFORE  replacing either of the switches.

REMINDER:  the Auto Up/Down feature is disabled and must be reset after battery disconnect (although the window switches will still operate normally, the "auto up/down" feature will not function).

Follow the steps shown below to complete the initialization procedure.

1. STEP 1  - Close the driver's door.
2. STEP 2  - Switch the ignition to the "ON" position.
3. STEP 3  - LIGHTLY press down on the driver's window switch to lower the driver's window halfway.
4. STEP 4  - Pull UP  on the driver's window switch to raise the window and close it completely. Continue pulling the switch up for 1 second after the window is completely closed.
5. STEP 5  - Verify proper function. If the feature does not resume normal operation, it is likely the switch was held up for longer than the 1 second as described in Step  4. Repeat Steps  3 and  4 again. If normal operation is still not restored, proceed with the diagnostic steps outlined in the applicable Service Manual.

09 HARD TO FILL FUEL TANK REVISED

If you have a customer concern of difficulty filling the fuel tank, please be aware it may be the filler neck hose. We have had situations of fuel tanks being replaced for this concern because the hose was not removed with the fuel tank and inspected for obstructions.

Because of lighting and location, a quick look at the outside of the hose may not show any problem. The hose needs to be removed and light needs to be directed into the hose on both ends in order to see the obstruction. Originally, this issue was only found on 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback models but recently, we have confirmed reports of this same issue on 2013 models as well. When presented with this complaint on any model year Subaru, it is always a good idea to inspect this hose prior to removing the fuel tank.

02 HARD STARTING, EXTENDED ENGINE CRANKING CONCERNS REVISITED

As the cold weather months rapidly approach, the Techline is beginning to see an increase in the number of inquiries regarding extended engine crank time and hard starting. In some cases, data files have been requested, received and submitted to the Engineers for review. The condition can occur at any engine temperature and is still being closely investigated by the Engineers. After reviewing submitted data files, some of them show the accelerator pedal being depressed by the operator while cranking the engine. The number of these cases can be reduced by carefully interviewing the customer about their starting "routine", and following that up with a review of the related pages in the Owner's Manual (especially the highlighted areas in the example below). By doing this, in many cases, the condition can be resolved.

7-10 Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push-button ignition switch) 

• On rare occasions, transient knocking may be heard from the engine when the accelerator is operated rapidly such as a rapid start-up and a rapid acceleration. This is not a malfunction. 
• The engine starts more easily when the headlights, air conditioner and rear window defogger are turned off. 
• After the engine starts, the engine speed will be kept high until the engine has warmed up sufficiently. 

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the engine.

   The starter motor will only operate when the clutch pedal is depressed fully to the floor.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position and check the operation of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to "Warning and indicator lights" 3-11.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the "START" position without  depressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has started.

   If the engine does not start, try the following.

   1. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position and wait for at least 10 seconds. After checking that the parking brake is firmly set, turn the ignition switch to the "START" position while depressing the accelerator pedal slightly (approximately a quarter of the full stroke). Release the accelerator pedal as soon as the engine starts.
   2. If this fails to start the engine, turn the ignition switch back to the "OFF" position and wait for at least 10 seconds. Then fully depress the accelerator pedal and turn the ignition switch to the "START" position. If the engine starts, quickly release the accelerator pedal.
   3. If this fails to start the engine, turn the ignition switch again to the "OFF" position. After waiting for 10 seconds or longer, turn the ignition switch to the "START" position without depressing the accelerator pedal.
   4. If the engine still refuses to start, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have turned off after the engine has started. The fuel injection system automatically lowers the idle speed as the engine warms up.

CVT models 

1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Shift the select lever to the "P" or "N" position (preferably the "P" position). The starter motor will only operate when the select lever is at the "P" or "N" position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the "ON" position and check the operation of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to "Warning and indicator lights" F3-11.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the "START" position without  depressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has started.

   If the engine does not start, try the following.

   1. Turn the ignition switch to the "OFF" position and wait for at least 10 seconds. After checking that the parking brake is firmly set, turn the ignition switch to the "START" position while depressing the accelerator pedal slightly (approximately a quarter of the full stroke). Release the accelerator pedal as soon as the engine starts.
   2. If this fails to start the engine, turn the ignition switch back to the "OFF" position and wait for at least 10 seconds. Then fully depress the accel-