Tech Tips April 2018 (TIPS 0218)

TECH TIPS APRIL 2018

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

01 QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce February 2018 QMR of the Month winner:

A detailed QMR outlining his diagnosis and repair of DTC U0284 for Lost Communication with Active Grille Shutter (AGS) Module "A". While following the Service Manual troubleshooting steps, he confirmed the only current DTC was U0284 in the ECM. Then tested for a short to ground between the AGS connector and chassis ground. His DVOM results showed OL confirming there was no short. While measuring resistance in the wiring harness between the AGS connector and the ECM to check for an open circuit, his results showed 100k ohms. He began a closer inspection of the wiring harness, starting at the AGS connector. He started pulling back the wiring loom and found one section roughly an inch from the AGS connecter where the harness was wrapped with electrical tape. After removing the tape, he identified damaged insulation on wire A55 which exposed the copper wire conductor and allowed corrosion to accumulate. He performed a proper wire to wire harness repair and when completed, confirmed the resistance had returned to within specifications. After reassembly, clearing the DTC and thorough road testing, the DTC did not reset confirming the successful repair.

01 ICY ROAD WARNING INDICATOR OPERATION

The following TIPS article is applicable to the following models:

• 2014-2018MY Forester 
• 2014MY Impreza 
• 2014MY Crosstrek 
• 2014-2016MY Crosstrek Hybrid 

The information should help clarify proper operation of the Icy Road indicator which illuminates in the combination meter when, based on input from the ambient temperature sensor, icy road surface conditions may exist.

The Owner's Manual provides the following information:

The italicized (third) bullet point above is incorrect and will be updated in future editions of the Owner's Manual. The new bullet point below explains proper warning indicator operation:

• Once the icy road surface warning screen is displayed, it will not be displayed again unless the outside temperature has increased to 41°F (58°C) or higher then drops back to 37° (3°C) or below. 

15 2017MY+ IMPREZA/CROSSTREK (TURN START) REMOTE ENGINE START REGISTRATION

Vehicles & Remote Engine Start Kits Affected: 

• 2017-2018MY+ Impreza/Crosstrek with Turn Start Ignition - H001SFL100/H001SFL101
• 2019MY+ Impreza/Crosstrek with Turn Start Ignition - H001SFL400 (Coming soon)

Issue/Scenario:  The Technician may have a Control Module (ECU) that will not Register to the vehicle during the Remote Engine Start Installation process.

Solution:  Confirm the Diagnostic Interface Tool (SSM IV) has the latest software (12.1.1 from January 2018 is the latest). Ensure all the steps for the Registration process are followed, per the installation instructions found on STIS and the steps are completed in less than 2 minutes  once the vehicle ignition has been turned ON to begin the process.

15 REMOTE START QUICK REFERENCE

The Techline continues to receive calls about RES run time adjustment. If you need to change the run time, please follow the instructions on the REMOTE START QUICK REFERENCE card. The card should be placed in the glove box per the installation instructions.

Upon successful activation, the remote start transmitter will flash and beep one (1) time**, the horn will honk one (1) time and the side marker lights, tail lights and parking lights will flash one (1) time. The system will check certain safety preconditions before starting and if all conditions are met, the engine will start within five (5) seconds. After the engine starts, the remote start transmitter will flash and beep two (2) times**, the horn will honk one (1) time and the side marker lights, tail lights and parking lights will flash one (1) time. While the engine is running via the remote engine start system, the remote start transmitter will continue to flash one (1) time every three (3) seconds, the side marker lights, tail lights and parking lights will remain illuminated and the power window switches will be disabled. The engine will continue to run for fifteen (15) minutes unless one of the safety parameters below is triggered. The system also has a timer that will allow the system to operate for a maximum of twenty (20) minutes (under multiple remote start activations). Using the factory keyless entry transmitter (Access Key) to turn on the ignition resets the twenty (20) minute timer.

If the engine turns over but does not start (or starts and stalls) the remote engine start system will shut down and then attempt to start the engine three (3) additional times. The system will not attempt to restart the engine if it determines a vehicle malfunction is preventing it from starting. If the engine does not start after the three (3) additional attempts, the remote engine start request will be aborted.

Remote Engine Start Safety Parameters 

For safety and security reasons, the system will fail to start or shut down the engine during remote start operation if any of the following occur:

• The remote start system has operated for twenty (20) minutes between ignition ON cycles

  The horn will honk three (3) times and the parking lights will flash three (3) times 

• Any of the vehicle's doors, trunk or rear gate are open

  The horn will honk six (6) times and the parking lights will flash six (6) times 

• The vehicle's hood is open 

  The horn will honk two (2) times and the parking lights will flash two (2) times

• The transmission shifter is not in the "park" position 

  The horn will honk two (2) times and the parking lights will flash two (2) times 

• The vehicle's brake pedal is pressed

  The horn will honk two (2) times and the parking lights will flash two (2) times 

• The vehicle's engine idle speed has reached a level over 3,500 RPM (this will cause the engine to shutdown)
• The vehicle's security system is triggered by opening a door or rear gate (if the security system is armed at the time of remote start activation)

In addition to the items above, if the vehicle's engine management system determines there is a safety risk due to a vehicle related problem, the engine will shut down.

* See the vehicle owner's manual for more details.

** Provided that the remote start transmitter is within the operating range of the system.

Entering the Vehicle While it is Running via Remote Start 

1. Press the unlock button on the factory keyless entry transmitter (Access Key) or grab one (1) of the front door handles (Access Key must be within 16"-32" (40cm-80cm) of the desired door handle. If the vehicle's doors are unlocked manually using the mechanical key, the vehicle's security system will trigger (if the security system is armed prior to activating the remote start system) and the engine will turn off. Turning on the ignition by pressing the Engine Start/Stop button (on the dashboard) two (2) times with an Access Key inside the vehicle or pressing the unlock button on the factory keyless entry transmitter will disarm the security system.
2. Enter the vehicle.
3. The engine will shut down upon opening any vehicle door, trunk, hatch or rear gate on 5-door/wagon vehicles.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal and press the Engine Start/Stop button (on the dashboard) one (1) time with an Access Key inside the vehicle to re-start the engine.

Remote Start Confirmation Feature 

Your remote start transmitter is equipped with a unique bidirectional confirmation feature. This feature will allow the transmitter's backlit button to display system status provided the vehicle and transmitter fall within the system's operating range. Typical transmitter button flash sequences are outlined below.

Transmitter Flash & Beep Sequence	Feature Description
Flash when button is pressed (no audible beep)	Indicates that the system is transmitting an RF signal
Two (2) long flashes (no audible beep) following remote start activation (Transmitter button is pressed two (2) times within three (3) seconds)	Indicates that the transmitter did not receive remote start activation confirmation from the vehicle system. The transmitter will automatically send one (1) additional remote start activation attempt. This usually occurs when the operational range is at its' limit or has been exceeded.
One (1) flash & one (1) beep following remote start activation (Transmitter button is pressed two (2) times within three (3) seconds)	Indicates that the transmitter has received remote start activation confirmation from the vehicle system.
Two (2) flashes & two (2) beeps following remote start activation {Transmitter button is pressed two (2) times within three (3) seconds)	Indicates that the transmitter has received confirmation of a successful start from the vehicle system (vehicle is now running).
One (1) flash every five (5) seconds (no audible beep)	Indicates that the vehicle is running via remote start. If the transmitter is moved outside of the system's operating range, this sequence will time out after the default fifteen (15) minute run time.
Three (3) flashes & three (3) beeps	Indicates that the engine has turned off due to the remote start system fifteen (15) minute time out vehicle safety parameter or normal shut down.

Important Note:  When taking your vehicle in for service, it is recommended that you inform the service personnel that your vehicle is equipped with a remote engine start system.

Selectable Run-Time 

The system is preprogrammed to run for fifteen (15) minutes before automatically stopping. The programmed run time setting can be changed to alternate times using the following procedure.

1. Enter the vehicle and close all vehicle doors, trunk, hatch or rear gate.
2. Verify that the transmission shifter is in the "park" position.
3. Turn the ignition "ON" then "OFF", "ON" then "OFF", "ON" then "OFF", then back "ON" and leave on throughout the programming process. (Turn ON the ignition by pressing the Engine Start/Stop button on the dashboard two (2) times with an Access Key inside the vehicle. Do not press the brake pedal or the engine will start.)  (ON/OFF ignition cycles must be completed within eight (8) seconds.)
4. The system will honk the horn the number of times corresponding to the current run time setting.
5. Open and close the driver's door to advance to the next run time setting. The system will honk the horn the number of times corresponding to the new run time setting.
6. Run time selection mode will exit via turning off the ignition or thirty (30) seconds of inactivity. Upon exit, the current run time selection will be stored.

Horn Honks	Run Time
1	Three (3) Minutes
2	Five (5) Minutes
3	Ten (10) Minutes
4	Fifteen (15) Minutes (Default Setting)