Transmission Control Module Shift Logic (WXM-70R)

TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE SHIFT LOGIC

SERVICE CAMPAIGN BULLETIN

SERVICE INFORMATION

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:

1999 Sedan	4S3BD4(1)5(1)X7250014 through X7252632
1999 Wagon	4S3BK4(1)5(1)X7300018 through X7302489
1999 Postal	4S3BK495(1)X8301917 through X8302473
(1) character varies.

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. A copy of the Owner Notification Letter is included in this bulletin.

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

Vehicle Specification	Part Number	Suggested Dealer Cost	Suggested Retail Cost
UO-LHD 49 state vehicle	31711AE401	$172.91	$288.18
UO-RHD 49 state Postal vehicle	31711AE411	173.20	288.67
U1-LHD California vehicle	31711AE151	172.91	288.18
U1-RHD California Postal vehicle	31711AE161	173.20	288.67

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 UO (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, UODB, 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:
   1. Start the engine.
   2. Check that the "AT Oil Temp" indicator lamp comes on.
   3. If the "AT Oil Temp" indicator goes off after 2 seconds the TCM is operating correctly.
   4. 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 Subarunet.

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.

Claim Type	Recall Code	Labor Operation	Labor Time	Labor Description
RC	WXM-70	B 101-000	0.3 hrs	Recall / Campaign Labor.

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.

OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER

Subaru of America, Inc. 

Subaru Plaza

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

www.subaru.com

Service program WXM-70

September, 1998

Dear Subaru Owner;

SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. has determined that your 1999MY 2.2L automatic transmission Legacy may exhibit an unusually harsh downshift when lightly accelerating in 4th gear.

This downshift does not pose any danger or cause any type of mechanical failure, but may seem too abrupt to you.

We want to make sure that your Legacy driving experience is enjoyable, so we have prepared a Transmission Control Module (TCM) with modified logic that makes this downshift feeling less harsh.

Please contact your selling dealer who will make arrangements to obtain the correct replacement part prior to scheduling your appointment. To ensure the proper part is ordered and installed, please provide the dealer with your vehicle's identification number. This number is located on the upper left-hand corner of the dashboard and is visible through the windshield. Once the part is ordered, it should take no more than a few days for the part to arrive.

In the meantime, if you should feel this harshness under the driving conditions we described, rest assured that it will not cause any mechanical damage or adversely affect the operation, handling or performance of your vehicle.

Although the actual time to perform this repair is approximately one half hour, it may be necessary for you to leave your vehicle for the full day of your scheduled appointment to allow the dealer some flexibility in scheduling other customers.

We are sorry for this inconvenience. However, we have taken this action to ensure your total satisfaction with your new Legacy.

Yours truly,

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 is sent, the date sent, and the applicable vehicle identification number (VIN). (For the purposes of this section, a lessor means a person or entity that in the last twelve months prior to the date of this notification has been the owner, as referenced 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 at least four months.)

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