DIT Recall FAQ for Protuners

Introduction

Subaru has recently issued a recall for select 2015 WRX and 2014-2015 Forester XT vehicles. The recall, titled 'WQW58 2.0 DIT Pre-Ignition Service Program', instructs the Subaru dealer to perform a spark plug inspection and leak-down test of the engine in earlier vehicles. In rare cases, the engine may be replaced. Subaru also updates the car's engine control unit (ECU) with their latest calibration.

We have added support for Subaru's new ECU type being flashed to cars during this process. This includes new Accessport firmware, Accesstuner software, and off-the-shelf (OTS) maps (v300 or later).

We've compiled the following information to help you transition your customers to new updated maps. Please read the end-user FAQ at the following link first. This contains basic information about Subaru's recall and the Cobb updates.

Subaru DIT ECU Recall Info

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which vehicles need updated maps?

2014-2015 Forester XT
2015 WRX 6MT
2015 WRX CVT

Customer car is one of the above vehicles, but is not part of the recall. Do they still need an updated map?

Yes, in most cases. More detail below.

If the Car identifies as Post-Recall 1 what ECU types can I use for it?

When making a custom map for a customer, you'll be able to use any of the post-recall 1 or later ECU Types including the Post-Recall 2 and CCF ECU Types.

How do I update customer maps?

The updated Accesstuner software (version 1.9.1.0-12092 or later) allows you to convert your maps. There are two ECU revisions in Accesstuner for each affected vehicle. The process of updating depends on the ECU revision in question:

15 WRX 6MT:

"Post-recall 1" - This is an older ECU that is not subject to the recall but is newer than your existing maps. You can open these existing maps in this ECU and re-save, which merges all your tuning changes with the factory changes from the post-recall ECU. This makes it easier to convert maps to a post-recall ECU, albeit one that is older than Subaru's latest.
"Post-recall 2" - This is the newest ECU that Subaru is installing as part of the recall. This contains additional calibration and logic changes when compared to "Post-recall 1", but not as it pertains to the pre-ignition issue. Due to table and logic changes, old maps cannot be opened in this ECU. If your customer is in Subaru's recall range, it is recommend that you update their custom map via this ECU so that it identifies the same as the recall update that was or will be installed by Subaru.

15 WRX CVT:

"Post-recall 1" - The 15 WRX CVT never supported a recall ECU in our software so this is merely the existing ECU from the previous software. It is older than Subaru's latest.
"Post-recall 2" - This is the newest ECU that Subaru is installing as part of the recall. This contains additional calibration and logic changes when compared to "Post-recall 1", but not as it pertains to the pre-ignition issue. Due to table and logic changes, old maps cannot be opened in this ECU. If your customer is in Subaru's recall range, it is recommend that you update their custom map via this ECU so that it identifies the same as the recall update that was or will be installed by Subaru.

14-15 FXT:

"(Recalled)" - This is the original ECU that existed in the prior software and is based on the recalled ECU. This ECU is read-only meaning you can only open but not save existing maps. You must move to the new "Post-Recall" ECU in this case.
"Post-recall 1" - This is the newest ECU that Subaru is installing as part of the recall. This includes changes for the pre-ignition issue and has other additional calibration and logic updates from Subaru. Due to ECU differences, old maps cannot be opened in this ECU. We suggest you update all your 14-15 FXT customers to this new ECU.

Which ECUs in the prior Accesstuner software were based on the recalled ECU?

The 15 WRX 6MT and the 14-15 FXT were based on Subaru's recalled ECU. However, the COBB v2xx OTS maps for the 15 WRX 6MT contained the recall fixes (from what is now called the "Post-recall 1" ECU). If you used v2xx OTS tunes as a base for your custom tunes, they include the recall fix calibration data. However, you must still update these calibrations using the "Post-recall 1" or "Post-recall 2" ECUs to avoid a warning that will be displayed on the Accessport when your customers change maps (see below). For the 14-15 FXT, maps must be replaced with "Post-Recall" ECU revision files to avoid the same warning.

If I tune in the latest Accesstuner software, are any of the ECUs still based on a recall ECU?

No - only the 14-15 FXT allows you to select a recalled ECU but you are not able to edit/save via that ECU (only view the map to allow you to copy the calibration to the "Post-Recall ECU").

Do I really need to update my customer maps? Doesn't my tune override the factory tune and negate any issue?

This is a bit of gray area. It depends on the exact changes made in the map and which map was used as a base. To play it safe, we are recommending that all Accessport users have their maps updated to one of the Post-Recall ECUs. Maps that are still based on the recall ECU will receive a warning when the user attempts to change maps (see below).

My customer is receiving an "outdated ROM" message on their Accessport when they go to change maps. What does this mean?

Newer Accessport firmware will present this message (see full message text below) when attempting to change to a map that is based on Subaru's recall ECU. This is to let the Accessport user know that they are attempting to flash a map that has not been updated. This error check has no knowledge of the actual calibration contained in the map, so it will pop up even on the v2xx OTS maps for the 15 WRX 6MT (we are only supporting the new v300+ OTS maps from now on). You will need to update any custom tunes to one of the Post-Recall ECUs to avoid this message. The user can still click through the message and install the map if they need to.

I've sent my customer an updated map but the map is grayed out when they go to select it. What is causing this?

Short of sending them the wrong map for their ECU, it is likely that your customer did not update their Accessport to the latest firmware version. This is required in order for the Accessport to recognize a map created in one of the new ECU revisions.

How do I transfer the tune to the one of the Post-Recall ECUs that prevents me from opening existing maps?

With this initial release, you will need to manually copy your tune from the old ECU to the new ECU as follows:

Open two instances of the latest Accesstuner software (simply run Accesstuner twice from the same shortcut).
In the first instance, open the old ECU and open your existing map.
In the second instance, open the new ECU and make sure you do not have a previous map loaded.
Copy and paste each table axis by selecting all the values in a given axis in the old ECU and selecting Ctrl-C to copy the values to the clipboard. Select the same table (and axis) in the new ECU and select Ctrl-V to paste the values to the new ECU. Repeat for the additional axes, if applicable.
In the new ECU, the modified table will appear in a bold font. When you've finished copying, double check all these tables to make sure the calibration looks good.
You can also copy table data to a spreadsheet and copy the values from the spreadsheet to Accesstuner as an alternate method.

In a future release, we plan to support an automated map copy that will copy over most of the tune to the new ECU. It will not be able to copy all tables due to some logic changes introducing new tables in the new ECU or changing existing table sizes so some manually copying will still be necessary.

If I'm opening an existing map in the "Post-recall 1" ECU for the 15 WRX 6MT, what tuning changes are actually being merged with my map?

The following tables have changed in the factory calibration for the 15 WRX 6MT from the recalled ECU to the "Post-recall 1" ECU. Accesstuner will merge the changes in your existing map with the new changes in this ECU on a cell-by-cell basis. If a given table cell in your existing map has changed from stock, then it will be copied, otherwise the cell will use the stock value from the "Post-recall 1 ECU". WARNING: Because this is a merging of stock data and your tuned data, it is critical that you check each of these tables to make sure there are no issues with your calibration after opening an existing map in the "Post-recall 1" ECU. Be sure to inspect the data on each axis.

AVCS Intake Cam Advance Target (TGVs Open) B (Higher Load)
Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) A
Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) Adder (DAM)
Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) B
Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) C
Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) D (Higher Load)
Closed Loop Fueling Target Final (Alternate)(Aggressive Start)(Primary OL Fuel Compare)
Fuel Injector Start of Injection (Homogeneous) Alternate (Aggressive Start)
Fuel Injector Start of Injection (Homogeneous) Main
Primary Open Loop Fueling (Base) Adder 1 (Dynamic Enrichment)
Primary Open Loop Fueling (Base)
Primary Open Loop Fueling Min. Enrichment

For the 15 WRX, why should I go through the trouble of updating to the "Post-recall 2" ECU when using the "Post-recall 1" ECU is a much simpler process to update my maps?

This is entirely up to you, however, keep in mind that all future features will only be supported with the "Post-recall 2" ECU for the 15 WRX. This include the upcoming Cobb Custom Features ECU which will add support for Flex Fuel. Additionally, this ECU is based on Subaru's latest calibration and logic changes so you may find additional benefits to using it.

For the 15 WRX, if I'm copying the calibration from an existing map opened in the "Post-recall 1" ECU to Subaru's latest ECU ("Post-recall 2") what new table size/logic differences are present in the new ECU?

Subaru has effectively adopted the 16 WRX ECU for the latest 15 WRX ECU ("Post-recall 2" for 6MT or "Post-recall 1" for CVT). As such, if you've tuned both of these vehicles, you'll already be aware of the differences:

An additional set of eight Intake and Exhaust AVCS tables have been added. The new ECU switches/blends between the now two sets of AVCS tables depending barometric pressure and the new "AVCS Cam Advance Target Map Ratio (Barometric Multiplier)" table.
The single "Primary Open Loop Fueling (Base)" table has been split out into 4 tables with switching based on TGV open/closed and post-start state (similar to the "Primary Ignition" tables). The tables are also larger (Subaru does not use the additional columns here - merely duplicates z-data across them).
The "Primary Open Loop Fueling (Base) Adder 1 (Dynamic Enrichment)" and "Primary Open Loop Fueling (Base) Adder 2 (Dynamic Enrichment)" tables are larger (again, Subaru simply populates the additional columns with duplicate z-data).
An additional set of F and G "Idle Speed Target" Tables have been added in the new ECU (all shown as F1, F2, G1, and G2). The factory calibration is the same among each table set.
The "Fuel Pressure Target Warm-up 1" table was split into two tables (1A and 1B). The factory calibration is the same among both tables.
Some of the "Post-Start Enrichment" tables for "Stratified" mode are now 3D tables.
New Beta toggle to disable Stratified warm-up mode (Under Edit → Advanced Parameters menu on the "Toggles (Base)" tab).

For the 14-15 FXT, if I'm copying the calibration from an existing map opened in the "(Recalled)" ECU to Subaru's latest ECU ("Post-recall 1") what new table size/logic differences are present in the new ECU?

For 14 FXT:

"Closed Loop Delay Max. RPM (Per Gear)" table replaced by "Closed Loop Delay Max. RPM" table (single value).
"Closed Loop Delay Max. RPM (Per Gear) Hysteresis" table replaced by "Closed Loop Delay Max. RPM Hysteresis" table (single value).
"Primary Ignition Idle Adder (Coolant Temp) Compensation (RPM)" table replaced by "Primary Ignition Idle Adder (Coolant Temp) Compensation" table (single value).
New "Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) Lean Limit C (Coolant Temp)" and "Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) Lean Limit D (Coolant Temp)" tables.

For 15 FXT:

New "Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) Lean Limit C (Coolant Temp)" and "Closed Loop Fueling Target Base (Main) Lean Limit D (Coolant Temp)" tables.