Campaign - A/T Control Module Replacement
NUMBER: WXM-70DATE: 9/15/98
APPLICABILITY:
1999 MY 2.2L A/T LEGACY VEHICLES
SUBJECT:
TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SHIFT LOGIC
Subaru has determined that some 1999 model year Subaru Legacy vehicles were equipped in production with a Transmission Control Module (TCM) with logic that may cause an unusually harsh downshift when slightly accelerating in 4th gear.
VEHICLES INVOLVED
The potentially affected vehicles are 1999 Model Year Legacy sedan and wagon "L", Brighton, and Postal models equipped with automatic transmission and a 2.2L engine. Those vehicles are identified in Chart 1.
Affected vehicles have production dates of May 26, 1998 through June 26, 1998. HOWEVER, ONLY SOME OF THOSE VEHICLES WITHIN THESE VIN'S ARE AFFECTED. THEREFORE, ALL VEHICLES MUST BE CONFIRMED AS APPLICABLE USING THE VEHICLE COVERAGE INQUIRY IN THE DEALER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (DCS). DEALERS WERE FORWARDED A LISTING OF AFFECTED VEHICLES ON OR ABOUT JULY 30,1998. CUSTOMER LETTERS WILL BE SENT ONLY FOR VEHICLES SHOWN AS SOLD ON THIS DATE. IF YOU SOLD AN AFFECTED VEHICLE SINCE THIS DATE, YOU NEED TO CONTACT THE OWNER AND HAVE THE CUSTOMER RETURN FOR THIS UPDATE. HOWEVER PRIOR TO CONTACTING THE OWNER, BE CERTAIN TO CHECK THE DCS SYSTEM TO CONFIRM THAT THE VEHICLE IS AFFECTED. IF YOU INSTALLED AN UPDATED TCM PRIOR TO THE SALE, THERE IS NO NEED TO CONTACT THE OWNER.
Involved vehicles identified above may include vehicles which were not for the U.S. market. Computer listings containing the VIN, owner name and address data will be furnished to dealers under separate cover. Only owners of the sold vehicle on record as of July 30, 1998 will be forwarded letters. The owner name and address will enable dealers to follow-up with owners of affected vehicles. The use of this data for any purpose other than to assist in the completion of this service program is unlawful in some states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing to completion of this program only.
OWNER NOTIFICATION
SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to owners of the potentially affected vehicles sold prior to July 30, 1998. The owner notification is scheduled for September 15, 1998.
DEALER PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY
Dealers are requested to promptly inspect and/or service all vehicles subject to this Service Program at no charge to owners, regardless of mileage, age of vehicle, or ownership, from this time forward in accordance with the service procedure section of this bulletin.
Dealers are also to promptly correct all affected vehicles in their inventory (new, used and demo) in accordance with the instructions in the service procedure section of this bulletin. Additionally, whenever a vehicle subject to this Service Program is taken into new or used vehicle inventory, or is in your dealership for service in the future, you should take the necessary steps to be sure the Service Program correction has been made before selling or releasing the vehicle.
Dealers are to contact owners of vehicles sold since the date of the computer listing from your new vehicle inventory, provide them with a copy of the owner notification letter and arrange to make the required correction according to the instruction in the service procedure section of this bulletin.
Please do not let the customer wait longer than necessary for servicing the vehicle. Every effort should be made to reduce inconvenience to our customers. Please thank them for their interest in keeping their Subaru vehicle properly maintained.
PARTS INFORMATION
New Transmission Control Modules (TCM) with modified logic control are available immediately. Customers are being instructed to contact their dealer and provide the VIN of their vehicle. SOA Region dealers should call your Parts Information Coordinator in Atlanta and SNE/SDC dealers should contact their parts expeditor. When ordering the TCM, provide the VIN and order the appropriate part for the affected vehicle. Schedule your customer's appointment allowing at least 3 days for shipment of the part. A replacement TCM will be shipped by 2nd day air where appropriate. Please note, that not all dealers will have sold vehicles on record as of the start of this program, therefore, some dealers will have no activity in this program. However, please keep in mind that any dealer may be contacted by an owner (i.e. relocated owners). ORDERS PLACED THROUGH THE NORMAL PARTS ORDERING SYSTEM WILL NOT BE FILLED.
PARTS PRICING
NOTE:
There are 3 ways to identify Federal or California specification vehicles for this program.
1. A vehicle inquiry will indicate the specification as "FED" or "CAL".
2. The computer listing has "F" or "C" in the column under the heading of "Spec Code".
3. The VIN Plate on the LH Strut Tower in the engine compartment will show U0 (49 state) or U1 (California) in the second line under the VIN Number. It will be the first 2 digits of a 4 digit alpha/numeric option code (for example, U0DB, or U1XA, etc.).
SERVICE PROCEDURE
Replace the TCM. The TCM is located under the driver's side dashboard. It is mounted with two (2) mounting bolts to the pedal bracket.
1. Confirm the vehicle is applicable by checking the DCS vehicle coverage inquiry.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the off position.
3. Disconnect the two (2) body harness connectors (24 pin white and gray) from the TCM connectors. Be careful not to pull on the harness. Pull on the connector.
4. Remove the two (2) mounting bolts which attach the TCM to the pedal bracket.
5. Install the new TCU in reverse order of removal. Torque the two mounting bolts to:
Left hand drive: 5.4 +/- 1.4 ft.lb.(0.75 ± 0.2 kg-m, 7.35 +/- 1.96 N-m)
Right hand drive: 18.0 +/- 3.6 ft.lb.(2.5 +/- 0.5 kg-m, 24.5 +/- 4.9 N-m)
Warning:
Be careful not to catch any wiring between the TCU and the pedal bracket. When connecting the harness connectors, you will hear a click sound when the connectors are fully seated.
6. Perform a function check after replacing the TCU as follows:
a) Start the engine.
b) Check that the "AT Oil Temp" indicator lamp comes on.
c) If the "AT Oil Temp" indicator goes off after 2 seconds the TCM is operating correctly.
d) If the "AT Oil Temp" indicator lamp is blinking, the wire connectors are not connected correctly to the TCM.
^ Recheck the 2 TCM wire harness connectors and perform the function check again.
^ If the "AT Oil Temp" lamp is still blinking, an open circuit in the harness may be the cause. Troubleshoot and repair according to the Service Manual.
7. Install a service program identification label on the radiator cowl/shroud.
CLAIMS REIMBURSEMENT AND ENTRY PROCEDURES
Credit to perform the WXM-70 Service Program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information. Dealers may enter the applicable claim information through their Dealer Communication System (DCS).
All properly submitted claims will receive an automatic credit of 0.3 labor hours for replacement of the Transmission Control Module.
Parts will be reimbursed at suggested list price.
SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL
Each vehicle corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this bulletin will require a service program completion label. Each label provides a space to include the dealer code of the dealer performing the Service Program. The information may be inserted on the completion label with a typewriter or permanent ink pen. After completing the information on the label, attach the label on the upper radiator cowl.
A quantity of 5 labels is being provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional quantities of labels are available through your area/distributor service office.