First Drive - CEL - Cam Sprocket Fix

[egraphic]

Originally Posted by Hammer

So 9 days after I dropped off my car at the dealer, the Cam Sprocket fix didn't work. Subaru technical support closes at 5 eastern so they will have to wait until tomorrow to know what other parts to order. I sent an email to corporate notifying them of my displeasure but we will see how far that gets me. I also told them I know about all the other parts that are being used to fix this problem, so I hope they don't try to keep doing this one part at a time B.S. Not impressed with the whole Subaru experience so far.

For me, also 9 days as of today (Scion, not Suburu) after I dropped off the car, the cam sprocket fix didn't work - they think the one they received was defective. They've ordered another one (also called a camshaft controller - that manages timing) - and they have no ETA. Have replaced the ECU, both TTvi's, 4 o rings and an oil solenoid in bank 2.

[moonwok]

And then you have the impulse buyer who wants the frs/brz, and hopes nothing will go wrong keeping the price high. The prevailing law of supply and demand still stands despite the mass defective production. Another reason to wait and not pay msrp.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by egraphic

For me, also 9 days as of today (Scion, not Suburu) after I dropped off the car, the cam sprocket fix didn't work - they think the one they received was defective. They've ordered another one (also called a camshaft controller - that manages timing) - and they have no ETA. Have replaced the ECU, both TTvi's, 4 o rings and an oil solenoid in bank 2.

Wow, at least they have done that much in that amount of time. It took 4 days to get the cam sprocket and another 4 just to install and test the car. This is amazing and scary at the same time.

[Jimbo]

Is there any indication on a range of VIN numbers affected? Do we know this has been fixed?

[DR1FT]

Originally Posted by Hammer

So 9 days after I dropped off my car at the dealer, the Cam Sprocket fix didn't work. Subaru technical support closes at 5 eastern so they will have to wait until tomorrow to know what other parts to order. I sent an email to corporate notifying them of my displeasure but we will see how far that gets me. I also told them I know about all the other parts that are being used to fix this problem, so I hope they don't try to keep doing this one part at a time B.S. Not impressed with the whole Subaru experience so far.

This is the first year production of the Brz/frs things like this should be expected. I have own a few subarus and they're good in resolving problems.

[Hammer]

This is crazy... So my service guy calls me back this morning and tells me he made a mistake and its the other car (Primo) that isn't working and it seems that my car is fixed. His explanation is that the computer didn't have enough time to learn about the problem and so it is still learning properly. Primo on the other hand had his CEL reset and the dealer told him to go ahead and drive it. So he drove his car to 300 miles and the CEL came on again. I only drove 30 miles stopped, and had the car towed into the dealer. So unfortunately for Primo his car needs a ECU because they are unable to reset the it, but service says I can pick my car up today. I'm still nervous about picking it up but I'm really hopeful that the replaced Cam Sprocket fixed the issue.

[wheelhaus]

Are other countries with less restrictive emissions regulations having the same issue? The more I read makes me wonder if it's something to do with the strict US emissions requirements and programming in the ECU. Those who have had the ECU replaced and the CEL reappear may not have had enough data/parameters changed in the new unit. just an idea. Didn't one tuning house find something in the ECU for the idle issue and fixed it? Did they just raise the idle rpm setting or what?

[ahausheer]

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

Are other countries with less restrictive emissions regulations having the same issue? The more I read makes me wonder if it's something to do with the strict US emissions requirements and programming in the ECU. Those who have had the ECU replaced and the CEL reappear may not have had enough data/parameters changed in the new unit. just an idea. Didn't one tuning house find something in the ECU for the idle issue and fixed it? Did they just raise the idle rpm setting or what?

I thought the ECU was the same round the world?

[sho220]

Originally Posted by moonwok

And then you have the impulse buyer who wants the frs/brz, and hopes nothing will go wrong keeping the price high. The prevailing law of supply and demand still stands despite the mass defective production. Another reason to wait and not pay msrp.

Sorry I've contributed to keeping the price high by actually buying the car instead of sitting around complaining about it. The car is a blast and any issues (of which every car will have a few) will be dealt with when they happen. Have fun...................waiting...

[moonwok]

Originally Posted by sho220

Sorry I've contributed to keeping the price high by actually buying the car instead of sitting around complaining about it. The car is a blast and any issues (of which every car will have a few) will be dealt with when they happen. Have fun...................waiting...

I am not complaining since I don't have it yet. It is a sleek car and I will buy when I know its resale value will actually be worth it. I won't buy and play roulette on hard earned 27,000 bucks. I agree it should be a blast to drive. . May yours be exempt from the issue at hand. Enjoy.

[Hammer]

So it looks like they were able to fix Primo's and my car. They just had to reset his computer. Not sure if he picked it up yet but so far my car is running fine. On a side note, I got a flat tire on the way home and it broke the tire pressure sensor but they were able to put a patch on the tire. Sensor is $111 at the dealer. OUCH! Ordered it on the web for $93 shipped but that still seems like a lot of money for something like that. What do I know

[White64Goat]

I think the worst part of this whole deal is that there hasn't been (to my knowledge) a list of VIN's, Production Dates or engine serial numbers that this is effecting. It seems like it could be all of them (except for those that haven't failed) and what is it that is NOT causing them to fail?

It would be interesting to know how many (if any) of their cars that were used in the touring public test sessions had problems.

I wrote to Subaru and told them I was expecting delivery on 9/10 and was seriously concerned about these problems and breakdowns and peoples cars in the repair shops for weeks on end and they basically thanked me for ordering a car, gave me a service case code and never answered any of my concerns.

Guess I'll finance through Subaru in case it takes a major dump because my credit union won't care if the car is in the shop for weeks on end when the payment is due............

[White64Goat]

Anytime you take your car to a tire shop inform them that you have TPMS on your wheels. Pat Goss on MotorWeek did a segment on the sensors last night and the number one way for the sensors to get damaged is at the tire shop.

[Hammer]

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Anytime you take your car to a tire shop inform them that you have TPMS on your wheels. Pat Goss on MotorWeek did a segment on the sensors last night and the number one way for the sensors to get damaged is at the tire shop.

This seems like something everyone should be notified on here about. I'm sure there are going to be plenty of these sensor damages in the future if thats the case.