Service Repair

Subaru Has an RPM Drop With A/C Off

Sept. 11, 2020

This bulletin applies to 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. The engine rpm may drop when the A/C switches off during engine warm-up after a cold start.

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Mike Mavrigian

This bulletin applies to 2018 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles. The engine rpm may drop when the A/C switches off during engine warm-up after a cold start.

A new logic was incorporated into production starting with Legacy VIN J3026042 and Outback J3283955. For previous VINs, reprogram the ECM following the normal FlashWrite procedure.

Subaru highly recommends connecting the Subaru Midtronics GR8 diagnostic battery charger and utilizing the power supply mode during reprogramming. Confirm all electrical loads (lights, audio, A/C, seat heaters, rear defroster, etc.) are switched off before setting up for power supply mode.

Model: 2018 Legacy/Outback

PAK file name......... 22765AK885B.pak

New ECM P/N.........22765AK85B

Old ECM P/N...........22765AK85A

Description keyword.....943C3B1E

New CID number.......... EB4S101C

About the Author

Information courtesy of Mitchell 1

Information for Technical Service Bulletins comes from ProDemand, Mitchell 1's auto repair information software for domestic and import vehicles. Headquartered in San Diego, Mitchell 1 has provided quality repair information solutions to the automotive industry since 1918.

About the Author

Mike Mavrigian | Motor Age Editor

Mike Mavrigian has written thousands of automotive technical magazine articles involving a variety of specialties, from engine building to wheel alignment, and has authored more than a dozen books that crisscross the automotive spectrum. Mike operates Birchwood Automotive, an Ohio shop that builds custom engines and performs vintage vehicle restorations. The shop also features a professional photo studio to document projects and to create images for articles and books.