Tech Tips August 2015 (TIPS 0815)

TECH TIPS AUGUST 2015

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

03 TRANSMISSION COOLER FLUSHING

Please review Technical Service Bulletin 16-42-90R for proper flushing procedures whenever replacing automatic transmissions. Confirm the procedure has been performed by: Technician notes on the repair order, the proper part number for transmission flush appears on the claim and by entering claim comments stating the cooler flush has been performed.

Claims for automatic transmission replacement or repair that fail to perform this procedure are subject to rejection or debit.

Please contact the Claims Helpline at 1-866-782-2782 if you have any questions.

15 SUBARU STARLINK TELEMATICS RETAILER PDI PROCESS

Subaru STARLINK (Telematics) equipped Forester, Outback, and Legacy Models have a new Data Communications Module (DCM). The DCM has similar characteristics of a new cell phone that has not yet been provisioned for subscription service. It will look for a specific network when the vehicle is powered up during the verification/initial activation process. After the verification/initial activation process is successfully completed, the DCM will provide SUBARU "STARLINK" communication through the SiriusXM® (SXM) network. The initial activation process is completed as part of the Port PDI. For Retailer Technicians PDI a new line item has been added to the PDI Checklist as shown here.

Enter Vehicle - Key: ON/Engine: OFF 

Verify Telematics lights are off (green & red) - where applicable 

In the case of this PDI check, the words "where applicable" are meant to convey that this check only applies when the vehicle is equipped with Telematics.

To complete this PDI item, the Technician needs only to confirm that both Telematics lamps are extinguished as shown in Figure 1 below. This completes the PDI check item.

At this point if the Blue "i" button is pressed one time, the technician will hear a recorded message that says, "Not currently subscribed to STARLINK please visit mySubaru.com to upgrade your service". This indicates that the DCM initial activation was successful. While not a required step this does further confirm that no additional action is required.

If the condition in Figure 2 is found, the Technician should press the BLUE "i" button one time and confirm if they can connect to Subaru Roadside Assistance.

If Subaru Roadside Assistance answers, the system has an Active Subscription and no further action is required.

If there is no response (and are in an unobstructed area with clear cellular reception), the initial activation may be incomplete and will need to be completed. This process is described below.

If the conditions shown in Figures 3 or 4 are found, follow the troubleshooting in the applicable Service Manual then review your findings with the Subaru Technical Helpline prior  to any actual repair. This process is part of our initial quality monitoring of the new STARLINK Telematics System. We appreciate your support in notifying SOA of any concerns you find with the new STARLINK Telematics system.

The Initial Activation process (only if determined to be incomplete) is:

1. Verify back-up 20amp back up/PDI fuse is in active position.
   NOTE: the 20amp back-up fuse must be active to initiate the process.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON/Engine OFF position. A RED color light may flash briefly, then you will see a solid GREEN light  . If solid GREEN light does not illuminate, start the engine for 5 seconds, turn "OFF" the ignition then repeat Step 2 from the beginning.
   NOTE: (the RED light flash only occurs the first time the key is turned on after the backup fuse is installed).
3. Press and hold the blue i- button (i-Call Information) until the RED and GREEN LEDs flash then shut off. In some cases, the RED and GREEN lights may continue to flash. Once they stop, the initialization is complete.
4. Telematics verification/initial activation is now complete. All lights are off.
   NOTE: the light sequence will not restart once completed.
5. At this time if the BLUE "i" button is pressed one time the system will connect and the technician will hear this recorded message, "Not currently subscribed to STARLINK please visit mySubaru.com to upgrade your service."
   NOTE: Any other behavior of the lights, I.E.: Not flashing, solid lights, etc. indicate potential telematics system problems. Notify the Subaru Technical Helpline of any abnormal conditions. 

01 EYESIGHT CHARTS

Subaru Techline has received a number of calls regarding unsuccessful EyeSight camera adjustment due to the incorrect chart being selected. Subaru currently has 2 separate charts for EyeSight-equipped vehicles. Whenever performing an EyeSight adjustment, refer to the Service Manual to determine the proper chart to use and procedure to follow for your application.

Guidelines to follow as mentioned in the Service Manual include but are not limited to:

1. The headlights must be turned off.
2. The vehicle must be parked on a level surface.
3. The inflation pressure of tires must be correct.
4. The vehicle cannot have load or passengers.
5. The front wheels must be directed to the straight ahead position, when the steering wheel is set to the center position.

For Reference: 

2013/2014 Legacy and Outback uses chart 87599YC001

2014/2015 Forester uses chart 87599YC001

2015 Legacy and Outback uses chart 87599VA000

2016 WRX uses chart 87599VA000

15 GEN 1 F10 NAVIGATION SYSTEM, RED LIGHT ALERT FUNCTION

Should you receive a customer inquiry about the Red Light Camera Alerts not functioning with the Sirius/XM Traffic feature, the reason is because that particular function is not supported by the current XM Traffic program. As an alternative, locations of (for example) Red Light Cameras can be added manually by the user.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  When using the Navigation system's Alert Point features, always follow all applicable state and local laws.

Follow the steps shown below to manually add Alert Points:

Before a new Alert Point can be added, the Alert Point Warning feature must be activated from the Settings menu:

• Press the Menu  soft key on the screen.
• Press Settings 
• Press Sounds and Warnings 
• Press Volume 
• Press, hold then slide the Alert Beeps  volume button across to the desired volume level.
• Press the back arrow until you return to the Sounds and Warnings screen.
• Press Sounds and Warnings  , touch the check box to turn on  Alert Point Warnings then press Turn On to activate the function if you wish to proceed.
• At this point, you are ready to add an Alert Point to your Navigation system.
• Move the cursor to the target location (Alert Point) and press the MORE  soft key.
• Press the DOWN  arrow to advance the menu then press Add Alert Point  .
• Press Type of Alert  which will open a menu/list of the available alert types. For this example, Red Light Camera  was selected then SAVE  was pressed to store the Alert Point.

  When approaching a stored Alert Point, a beep/tone will sound approximately 2/10 of a mile before the Alert point is reached. It will sound again as you get closer. An icon for the type of Alert Point will also appear on the screen.

01 2016 FORESTER SERVICE MANUAL - THE NEXT GENERATION

The 2016 Forester Service Manual marks the beginning of the next generation of Service Manual information from Subaru. As a result of the enhancements, this Service Manual will be the first one available exclusively in HTML format. This will be a change for anyone used to using service information in the PDF only format (as found in the Online Reference area of STIS). We believe once you have an opportunity to become familiar with the new features of Service Manual you will find it in many ways superior to the last version. For those less familiar with how to access the new HTML version of the Service Manual, see the screen capture below.

When you arrive at the landing page for the Service Manual be aware that it appears blank, when in reality, it is waiting for the user to make a selection.

Clicking on the desired section such as General Description in this case will populate the subsection selections.

Alternatively, you may also select the Index, DTC Search or Wiring Diagram to search for the desired information. Take a moment to review the Help section for some useful orientation materials along with tips on printing from the new manual format.