Alternator (WXF-63R)

Publication date: 2010-02-22
Reference number: WXF-63R

ALTERNATOR

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): WXF-63R, Date of Issue: February 22, 2010

SUBARU:

1995 & 1996MY Legacy

SERVICE INFORMATION

Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that some 1995 and 1996 Subaru Legacy vehicles may experience loss of voltage regulation from the Alternator due to insufficient wiring contact to the Alternator IC Regulator. When this occurs, the warning lamp will illuminate. If the vehicle continues to be operated under this condition, the engine may eventually stop running.

VEHICLES INVOLVED

Make and Line

Model Year

VIN Range

Legacy Sedan

1995

S⁽¹⁾220402 - S⁽¹⁾238892

Legacy Wagon

1995

S⁽¹⁾324526 - S⁽¹⁾362609

Legacy Sedan

1996

T⁽¹⁾200001 - T⁽¹⁾204745

Legacy Wagon

1996

T⁽¹⁾300001 - T⁽¹⁾305862

Legacy Outback

1996

T⁽¹⁾370001 - T⁽¹⁾371533

⁽¹⁾	1, 6, 7, 9 (Transmission Designator/11th VIN position)

Involved vehicles identified in the preceding chart may include vehicles which were not imported in the U.S. market. Computer listings containing the VIN, owner name and address data will be furnished to dealers under separate cover. The owner name and address will enable dealers to follow-up with owners of potentially affected vehicles.

These listings contain owners' names and addresses obtained from State Vehicle Registration Records. The use of such motor vehicle registration data for any other purpose is unlawful in some states. Accordingly, you are urged to limit the use of this listing only for the purpose of completion of this service program.

Dealers that do not receive a computer listing have no vehicles currently involved.

OWNER NOTIFICATION

SOA will prepare and mail an Owner Notification Letter to the owners of all potentially affected vehicles. The owner notification mailing is scheduled for mid October 1997. A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included in this bulletin.

DEALER SERVICE PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITY

Dealers are to promptly inspect and/or service all vehicles subject to this service program at no charge to the 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 it 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 instructions 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

Quantities of the improved Alternator (P/N 23700AA34ARA) will be available through your normal parts supply after October 9, 1997.

PARTS PRICING

Part Number

Quantity

Part Description

Suggested Dealer Cost

Suggested Retail Cost

23700AA34ARA

Remanufactured Alternator

$106.25⁽¹⁾

$128.75⁽¹⁾

⁽¹⁾	Price includes $50.00 core charge reimbursed upon return of alternator core.

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Inspect the tag on the top of the Alternator for the part number and manufacturing date code (lot number).
1. If the part number's 8th, 9th, & 10th digits are 210, check the lot number located on the bottom of the tag.
  NOTE: There is no need to replace the Alternator if the part number's 8th, 9th, & 10th digits are 211, or 34A.
2. If the lot number is from 4X3 to 56M , replace the Alternator assembly.

If it is determined that replacement of the Alternator assembly is necessary, proceed to replacement procedure section.

If no replacement is necessary, affix a campaign identification label and submit a claim for visual inspection as described in the claims processing reimbursement information section.

REPLACEMENT PROCEDURE

Disconnect the battery ground cable.
Disconnect the connector and terminal from the Alternator.
Remove V-belt cover
Loosen the V-belt tensioning bolt and remove the V-belt.
Remove the remaining Alternator mounting bolts and remove the Alternator.
Reinstall the replacement Alternator in reverse order of removal.
NOTE: Save the packaging for return for core credit.
Check and adjust the V-belt tension.
Reused belt tension = 0.354 ~ 0.433 in. (9 ~ 11mm)
Apply a "Service Program WXF-63" completion label. This label should be affixed to the Radiator Core support panel on a clean, dry surface, which will be visible, when the vehicle is brought in for periodic servicing by the owner.
IMPORTANT: All Alternators replaced under this program are subject to return for core credit and remanufacturing. Complete next step to ensure core credit.
Return the removed Alternator in the original packaging the replacement Alternator was received in. Complete the Core Credit Request Tag as shown below and return the part to your Parts Department for shipping and core credit.

SERVICE PROGRAM IDENTIFICATION LABEL

Each vehicle inspected/corrected in accordance with the instructions outlined in this bulletin will require a "Service Program WXF-63" completion label. Enter the dealer code and the last eight (8) digits of the vehicle identification number. Use permanent ink or a typewriter to insert the information.

The label should be installed on the top of the radiator support on a clean, dry surface. Install it in a location that will be easily noticeable when the hood of the vehicle is opened.

A quantity of 25 labels are being provided to each dealer with this bulletin. Additional quantities of these labels are available through your area/distributor service office.

CLAIMS PROCESSING REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION

Credit to perform this service program will be based on the submission of properly completed repair order information.

If replacement is required, Dealers will be credited 0.3 labor hours for the replacement of the Alternator using the "RC" claim type.

Listed below is the claim-entry information for this customer service program.

CLAIM TYPE	CAMPAIGN CODE	LABOR OPERATION	LABOR DESCRIPTION	LABOR TIME	PART NUMBER
RC	WXF-63	B 101-000	Inspection only.	0.2 hrs.	n/a
RC	WXF-63	C 181-221	Replace Alternator (includes visual inspection).	0.1 hrs	23700AA34ARA Alternator Assy.

REIMBURSEMENT FOR PREVIOUS REPAIR

Owners are being advised in the owner notification letter (copy attached) that if they have previously paid an authorized Subaru dealer for replacement of the Alternator, they may be entitled to reimbursement. The owners are further advised that for consideration of any reimbursement they must submit the original or original carbon copy of the repair invoice to Subaru of America, Inc. Please review the owner notification letter, which explains this procedure so that you are familiar with it, and can assist owners with any questions.

We recommend that you establish a service file for this service program and keep all documents related to this corrective repair action in that file. We also suggest that you discuss this service program with members of your staff so that they will be knowledgeable in the proper handling procedures. These steps should ensure customer satisfaction.

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

(Service Program WXF-63)

October 1997

Dear Subaru Owner:

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA), has determined that some 1995 and 1996 model Subaru Legacy vehicles may experience loss of voltage regulation due to insufficient wiring contact to the Alternator Diode or IC Regulator. Loss of voltage regulation can be noticed by the illumination of the charging system warning lamp. If the driver continues to operate the vehicle under this condition, the engine could eventually stop running.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Due to the possibility of loss of voltage regulation, you should immediately contact your Subaru dealer for an appointment to inspect the Alternator manufacturing serial numbers and, if necessary, replace the Alternator assembly at no cost to you. The approximate time to perform this repair is less than 30 minutes. However, it may be necessary for you to leave your vehicle the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow your dealer some flexibility in scheduling other customers. Please present this letter to your Subaru Dealer at the time this repair procedure is performed.

CHANGED ADDRESS OR SOLD YOUR SUBARU:

If you have either changed your address or sold your Subaru vehicle, please complete the enclosed prepaid postcard and mail it to us.

IF YOU PAID FOR REPAIR PREVIOUSLY:

In the event that you already paid an authorized Subaru Dealer for replacement of the Alternator, you may be entitled to reimbursement for the replacement cost.

Reimbursement by SOA will be based on our suggested retail parts pricing and suggested labor time multiplied by the dealer's hourly labor rate at the time of the repair. By law, SOA has no control over the actual charges by your dealer for any product or service, so your actual repair cost may be higher or lower than the rate used by SOA to calculate reimbursements.

Please send the original service repair order, which has complete information including date of repair, name of repair facility, vehicle mileage, complete vehicle identification number (17 digits), and your name, with correct address and telephone number to the address listed below.

Subaru of America, Inc.

Customer Dealer Service Department

Attention: Service Program WXF-63

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

Please send original receipts only and retain a photocopy for your records. Please be assured that we will attempt to process your reimbursement request as quickly as possible, but it may take up to 90 days for this process to be completed.

YOU HAVE A PROBLEM:

Should you have any questions regarding this service program, please contact your nearest Subaru Dealer or SOA at 1-800-782-2783 (1-800-SUBARU3).

We regret any inconvenience this matter may cause you. However, we have taken this action to assure your continued satisfaction with our product.

Sincerely,

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

NOTICE TO LESSORS

Under Federal law, the lessor of a vehicle who receives this letter must provide a copy of it to the vehicle lessee(s). The lessor must also keep a record of the lessee(s) to whom this letter was sent, the date sent, and the applicable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). (For the purpose of this section, a lessor means a person or entity in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as received on the vehicle's title, of any five or more leased vehicles. A leased vehicle is a vehicle leased to another person for a term of a t least four (4) month.)