Tech Tips November 2020 (TIPS1120)

TECH TIPS NOVEMBER 2020

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

01 QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce this month's QMR of the Month Winner:

The winning QMR of the Month for September details diagnosis and repair of an oil leak concern on a 2020 Ascent. Kevin verified engine oil leaking from the rear of lower engine oil pan and passenger's side front corner of upper engine oil pan. He proceeded to remove the engine to closely inspect for any additional leaks which could have been coming from the CVT and/or rear main seal or separator cover due to the residual oil accumulated at the bottom of front differential, trailing down to the drain plug. Kevin's inspection narrowed the oil leak sources to only the upper and lower oil pan sealing areas. With the lower oil pan removed, Kevin found the oil pick up screen restricted with pieces of sealer. After a review of the vehicle Service History, he determined the engine had never been removed prior to the current repair. Kevin also identified an area of the lower oil pan sealing surface where there was less sealer used compared to the rest of the pan. Kevin proceeded to remove and reseal both the upper and lower engine oil pans. Once his repairs were completed, the engine was reinstalled and the repairs checked closely with no further leakage found.

Kevin's QMR included a concise outline of his diagnostic procedures along with a collection of high-quality photos documenting his findings before and confirmation after his repairs.

In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience with us, Kevin will be receiving the following from his Field Service Engineer:

The other Regional winners selected from QMRs submitted during August 2020 were:

• Christopher Vanaman  from Rafferty Subaru  in Newtown Square, PA
• Marco Yanes-Pena  from Bill Kolb Jr. Subaru  in Orangeburg, NY
• Chris Grad  from Ganley Subaru of Wickliffe  in Wickliffe, OH
• Nick Thomson  from Clay Subaru  in Norwood, MA

Any Subaru Technician can participate in the QMR of the Month program. See the February 2013 and January 2016 issues of Tech TIPS for full details. You just might see your name and photo in a future issue of Tech TIPS!

01 QMR OF THE MONTH AWARD PRESENTATIONS

As part of our "enhanced" QMR of the Month recognition program, we will include a photo (whenever available) of the recipient's award presentation in TIPS. The winner selected from QMR of the Month submissions received during August 2020 was Kevin Shiu, a Technician from Premier Subaru of Freemont in Freemont, CA.

Kevin is joined after receiving his $500.00 Snap-On Gift Card from Service Manager Jacob Lozano (to Kevin's right) and Premier Subaru's General Manager, Sam Asefi. 

Congratulations and THANK YOU to our August 2020 QMR of the Month Award recipient! 

This series features TechTIPS articles frequently referred to by Techline. This month's feature is from March 2018.

16 TORQUE CONVERTER RELEARN

If you receive a customer concern of a shuddering at slight throttle, it could be related to the torque converter. The torque converter relearn should be performed on CVT vehicles anytime the TCM is unplugged or the battery is disconnected. The purpose is to stabilize the lock-up engagement quality.

Criteria for Torque Converter relearn:

Once criteria are met, safely drive the vehicle from 0-20MPH. Be sure to keep the engine speed between 1, 000 and 1400. After reaching 20 MPH decelerate the vehicle to a stop. Repeat 5 times.

03 FRONT DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE AFTER TRANSMISSION R&R

Techline has been made aware of an increased number of front differential failures due to improper fluid levels after transmission replacement.

It is CRITICAL  to always remember to fill and confirm the proper level of front differential fluid when servicing all transmissions. Low differential fluid will lead to a failure of the ring and pinion gears, related roller bearings and eventually cause catastrophic damage to the transmission.

REMINDER:  All remanufactured transmissions are drained of all fluids after a function test on a dynamometer.

Retailers MUST fill the front differential and the transmission with proper fluids. These fluids DO NOT intermix.

Always review the appropriate Service Manual for specific procedures, proper fluid types and levels. STIS>Service Diagnostics (select model and year) > Transmission/Transaxle > Continuously Variable Transmission > Differential Gear Oil > Adjustment. All returned transmissions with clear findings of improper fluid levels will be debited for the full claim amount.

03 BINDING/SOUND WHILE TURNING

Techline continues to receive calls asking if CVT Transmission Transfer Clutches are serviceable. Yes, many of them are so, always refer to the appropriate Service Manual for specific information about the vehicle being repaired. (Reference Claims Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 8.4.33 Replacement Parts) 

Transfer Clutches should be inspected for wear and discoloration after eliminating other items that can cause a bind/sound (e.g.: tires, transfer pressure, speed sensors, FWD mode). Transfer Clutch friction plates should be inspected for "heat markings" and discoloration. The Transfer Clutch Drum should be inspected for grooving "witness marks" as shown in Figure 2 below indicated with the red arrows.

As a reminder the, transfer clutches and friction Plates can visually look good as shown in Figure 1 but, grooving or notches in the drum can still be seen. In this case, the marking in the drum is visible and is an indication that torque bind has occurred. The inside and outside of the drum should be inspected for marking. Running a fingernail across the marks replacement of all three during inspection should be completed (clutches, friction plates and drum). The marks provide a place where the clutches and plates will stick resulting in binding and in some cases, a sound.

When receiving a Customer concern of "binding while turning," "sound while turning," or "lack of power while turning" it is also VERY important to keep in mind and measure tire circumference. With all Subaru AWD vehicles, having a difference as little as approximately 1/4" in tire circumferences could cause premature transfer clutch wear, drum wear and/or failure. A quick keyword search on STIS of "Binding on Turns" will return a list of other Technical Service Bulletins and TechTIPS articles relating to this subject.

07 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR AND PIN DISCREPANCIES

Often the Techline receives inquiries on electrical connector shape, and terminal pin outs. It is important to always refer to the pin numbers as shown in the Service Manual and not rely upon the numbers molded into the connector. As seen below the connector is mold with the numbers 12 and 13 in the top right-hand corner, these number should be disregarded as they are incorrect. The correct pins as shown in (Fig 1.) are 67 and 68.

15 STARLINK APP SOFT KEY GRAYED OUT

Techline continues to receive reports regarding customer concerns with their STARLINK App soft key being grayed out on their CID display. If this is found to be the case, please note this is a normal operating characteristic. The STARLINK App soft key will be grayed out until a phone equipped with the Subaru STARLINK App is paired. Once a phone is successfully paired, the STARLINK App logo will illuminate and be selectable. The images below show both scenarios.

00 STIS NEW RELEASES

ITEM CODE	ITEM TYPE	TITLE	CREATED DATE
15-255-19R	Technical Service Bulletin	Map Data Update Procedure for...	Nov 23, 2020
15-254-19R	Technical Service Bulletin	Map Data Update Procedure for...	Nov 23, 2020
15-211-17R	Technical Service Bulletin	Reprogramming File Availabilit...	Nov 23, 2020
E7210FL110	Accessory Installation Guide	STI Rear Roof Spoiler	Nov 23, 2020
15-261-20R	Technical Service Bulletin	Reprogramming File Availabilit...	Nov 20, 2020
18-203-20	Service Manual Correction	Service Manual Corrections	Nov 20, 2020
WRG-20	Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin	Continental Tire Safety Recall	Nov 18, 2020
03-85-20R	Technical Service Bulletin	Propeller Shaft-High-Pitched...	16-Nov-20
SOA733P100	Accessory Installation Guide	Pet Ramp	12-Nov-20
15-275-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Microphone Testing Procedure f...	10-Nov-20
WUV-07R	Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin	CVT Chain Slip	10-Nov-20
MSA5B2108A	Owner Manual	2021 Crosstrek Hybrid Getting...	10-Nov-20
05-81-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Rear BILSTEIN® Shock Absorbers...	10-Nov-20
TIPS1219	TechTIPS NewsLetter	2019 December TechTIPS Newslet...	9-Nov-20
16-131-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Updated CVT Diagnostics for DT...	9-Nov-20
12-300-20R	Technical Service Bulletin	Power Rear Gate (PRG) Switch T...	9-Nov-20
15-208-17R	Technical Service Bulletin	Availability of "Gracenote® Me...	9-Nov-20
07-185-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Seat Memory Control Module Dia...	6-Nov-20
12-296-20R	Technical Service Bulletin	Rear Frame and Stabilizer Bar...	4-Nov-20
03-86-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Clutch Master Cylinder-Additi...	4-Nov-20
U1430BE	Service Manual	2021MY Impreza/Crosstrek/C...	4-Nov-20
H630SFL002	Accessory Installation Guide	2021MY Impreza Audio Upgrade	3-Nov-20
15-130-08R	Technical Service Bulletin	Load Carrying Capacity Reduced...	2-Nov-20
15-274-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Android Device Compatibility w...	30-Oct-20
15-240-19R	Technical Service Bulletin	New Harman Audio Amplifiers	30-Oct-20
06-81-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)...	29-Oct-20
10/19/2020	Service Manual Correction	Service Manual Corrections	29-Oct-20
09-73-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Radiator Coolant Seepage	27-Oct-20
07-184-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Power Window Main Switch-Desi...	27-Oct-20
WRE-20	Subaru Product/Campaign Bulletin	Ignition Coil Campaign	27-Oct-20
07-183-20	Technical Service Bulletin	Combination Meter Replacement-...	26-Oct-20

All revised publications are highlighted in yellow.