Recall # WQC39 - ECM Reprogramming for Coolant Thermostat
 

I just logged into my.subaru and happened to see the following recall listed for my BRZ. Has anyone taken their car in for this update?


Service Program WQC-39
Engine Control Module Reprogramming
Vehicles Registered in the States of
CA, CT, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA

Dear Subaru Owner:

We would like to thank you for your selection of a Subaru vehicle. At Subaru, we take pride in our products and are committed to your continued satisfaction.

Subaru has developed a modification to the Engine Control Module software logic to improve the monitoring parameters within the On-Board Diagnostic (OBDll) system for the engine coolant thermostat. This correction ensures that should there be an abnormal condition (i.e., the engine coolant does not reach or maintain the proper operating temperature), the “check engine light” will illuminate. The proper illumination of the “check engine light” is needed to alert you that corrective action may be required.

This software change has no effect on fuel economy or vehicle performance

I just checked and there is nothing listed for my car. Maybe it's only for a specific VIN range.

That's weird, maybe your dealer did it already.

This is a Subaru-wide recall in certain states. Not a BRZ-specific thing.

My car has not been back to the dealer since I picked it up in Sept. which is why I was stating it could be a specific VIN range that is affected.

It's there for me, vin 00920

Any word of this for the FRS?

I just created and checked MySubaru page and I don't show this either. My BRZ is registered in Oregon and my vin is in the 3400 range. Subaru might be rolling this recall out slowly so as to not overwhelm dealers. It would be nice to get the latest ECU flash and see if it evens out my occasional wonky idle.

Its just a logic check on how quickly the engine is warming up. Cold weather affects, of course, how long it takes the engine to warm up.

If you drive smartly and don't let your car idle, this is probably an non-issue.

Seems to have nothing to do with idle CEL issue.

I don't understand. Are you saying it is better if we don't idle to warm up the engine?

I never idle to warm up the engine because you're only warming up the engine and not the trans. You're better off starting the car and taking it easy for the first few miles until the engine and trans are up to temp.

Corporations do secret things.

Like not issuing a TSB or recall. Instead they tell all dealerships to reflash the ECM to fix the idle condition when they come in for the mandatory Thermostat fix.

Some even go so far as to call it a flash for the thermostat when in fact it is really for the idle, especially if they make a minor change to the Thermostat setting, they can can the patch anything they like.

You really never know what a corporation will do.

Just hope the is a patch fr the idle problem along with the Thermostat setting.

Anyhow, from what I understand you still need the VVT components to be replaced and the flash is only a bandaid.

Yes. The car warm up much faster in 3 minutes of calm driving than it will in 10 minutes of idling.

I have this under Recalls in MySubaru. VIN 02883, located in MD.

Hmm wonder why it's just these states. I wonder if there is more going on with this update that is not being shared with us. I see some strict states when it comes to emissions listed there.

Maybe we don't pass an OBD II with one cat if we change our exhaust system.

There is a flash provided at dealerships which raises idle rpms. I think up to minimum of 800rpm without dipping lower.

So this is not showing up on my my.subaru, vin is 0911 car was bought in MA, but is registered in VA.

Anyone know if they are only listing certain states due to expected temps, or because of issues on ones that were delivered to certain places?

I just check mysubaru and no recall is listed. my Vin is later in the 604000 range , but am in NJ, one of the states listed.

But....This correction ensures that should there be an abnormal condition (i.e., the engine coolant does not reach or maintain the proper operating temperature), the “check engine light” will illuminate. The proper illumination of the “check engine light” is needed to alert you that corrective action may be required.


Do we really need Subaru to modify the ECU to encourage the check engine light. Doesn't this car have enough of those already!

Who knows, maybe they included the binaries for the CEL idle fix without mentioning it. This is probably a smart idea. Reducing the CEL problems without making a giant deal about it by covering it up with this engine coolant problem.

I actually have an appointment tomorrow in CA. I'll let you know if I notice anything different with my brz. I don't have any issues with CEL at the moment. But I do have HPFP chirping.

Recall is listed for mine VIN 261. I've had no CELs or any mechanical issues. I'll be bringing in soon for GPS fix and rear tail condensation also.

Anyone know if this is the latest reflash already included in ECUTek's latest release?

Hm, it's not just cold states then is it? Are these all the CA emissions states? I know Maryland has the same emissions reqs as CA, we just don't have that CARB and smog bull**** here (to my knowledge); VEIP in MD is just an ODBII scan for emissions.

I got the notice from email. A Car purchase from CO and VIN 602xxx. Yes, any company will use this opportunity to patch the CEL issue with one shot.

Just got my e-mail too.... kinda why I logged on to check what was going on.

Purchased in NJ... registered in PA.

VIN# 1009

Looks like it's West Coast + Northeast + MD? Definitely not just cold states and there are other cold states not included. You're probably right that it has to do with CA emissions states or something along those lines.

Idle is the worst condition an engine can be in bar none. Some manufacturers have durability tests done at idle because it wrecks cams and upper end parts.

I got the email a little while ago as well from SOA for this issue, I guess I just got lucky checking my.subaru and seeing it before the email. My VIN # 11xx

I'm scheduled to have this taken care of next week. Also told the dealership about the crickets, gps, and rear popping noise... I've brought my WRX to this dealership before for recalls and SOA even agreed to replace my whole subframe with the control arm recall, but the guy on the phone this time kinda gave me an attitude when I told him about all these things and was like "Are these really happening to your car?" That ticked me off a bit and I'm sure it will take me many trips back and forth to get all the TSB's taken care of.

Just got my email and have an appointment for this Saturday. They're already closed but I'm going to call tomorrow and see if they're doing the flash at the same time. If they do (can't see why they wouldn't) I'll report back about the process.

Yup just got that email today.already made appointment .it says only for the coolant sensors so I don't think it's a big deal.just go back and have it done.

Just came back from the dealer. They said, that they didn't have the new update for the car after 30 minutes. But they found a the cricket noise from the HPFS. So I'll be going back Monday for the HPFP fix and the new update for this.

I'll update everyone after then. If you guys make an appointment make sure they actually have the update for the BRZ. They just assume they have it without checking.

Oh cool. Glad this is legit. I got an email about this that was flagged by my spam filter, so I wasn't sure. Guess I'll actually make an appointment now.

Read the FAQs that are referenced in the notice - http://www.wqc39.service-campaign.com/

It says; "The program only involves certain 2011 through 2012 model year vehicles registered in the states of CA,CT,MA,MD,ME,NJ,NY,OR,PA,RI,VT,WA."

BRZ is a 2013 model year vehicle, so I doubt this applies...

I just registered for my.subaru and it says i need the recall. I also noticed it says my added protection is inactive and even though I bought it.
I made an appointment this friday for: This recall, chirping noise, GPS, and popping trunk noise. Maybe I should check my tail lights to see if they have condensation.

It shouldn't take many trips. Document everything and contact a regional service rep. if the service advisor at your dealership gives you crap. Contact Subaru customer service as well...be the pain in the ass they don't want to see at their dealership :)

Mitsu tried to bs me on all kinds of stuff with my old Eclipse...I straightened them out quickly, and they did everything they were supposed to...

I just checked and nothing for mine. I'm in PA. VIN: 6045xx

Yeah, I got the email. It's like I hit Yahtzee rolling the dice on every problem, every damn time with this car. Chirp, rear deck, tranny grinding, tail lamp condensation, now this. This coolant issue doesn't sound like a big problem, though.

Those of us with ECU mods can flash back to stock, no problem, and then the dealer can apply their update.

Does anyone think there might be issues with flashing your Ecutek tuned maps back onto the ECU after the dealer fix?

I'm worried about bringing my car in and having SOA or the dealer ding me on mods. What do you guys think, should I be OK? Dealer didn't seem to mind my headerback before...

Exactly.

Just called SOA and questioned whether the 2013 BRZ was involved with this becasuse the FAQ sheet lists 2011 and 2012 vehicles. Was told that the 2013 BRZ IS involved with this and it is ALL Vin's. He was going to notify Subaru of the wording about 2011/2012 vehicles in the FAQ section of the wqc39 notification.

Flashing your ECUTek file back to the ECU will negate the dealer fix unless you have the latst ECUTek file that includes Subaru's latest reflash. I believe Visconti's 1.08b4 includes this, not sure about everyone else's.

Dealer shouldn't hassle you with your mods unless you're reporting an issue that may have been caused by one of the mods.

MA uses California standards too.