2004 Subaru Forester XT, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE

Turbo Model

  1. Check the control valve body for dirt and dust.
  2. Install the control valve body and ground cable to transmission by tightening bolts evenly.
    1. Tightening torque: 8 N.m (0.8 kgf-m, 5.8 ft-lb) 
    Fig 1: Identifying Control Valve Body And Ground Cable
    G00936179Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  3. Attach the magnet at specified position of oil pan.
    Fig 2: Attaching Magnet At Specified Position Of Oil Pan
    G00936180Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  4. Apply proper amount of liquid gasket to the entire oil pan mating surface.
    1. Liquid gasket: THREE BOND 1217B (Part No. K0877YA020) 
    Fig 3: Applying Liquid Gasket To Entire Oil Pan Mating Surface
    G00936181Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Apply liquid gasket fully to three holes other than screw holes on transmission case.
    1. Liquid gasket: THREE BOND 1217B (Part No. K0877YA020) 
    Fig 4: Applying Liquid Gasket To Three Holes Other Than Screw Holes On Transmission Case
    G00936182Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Install the oil pan with tightening bolts evenly.
    1. Tightening torque: 5 N.m (0.5 kgf-m, 3.6 ft-lb) 
  7. Pour ATF into the ATF charge pipe.
    1. Recommended fluid: Dexron III type automatic transmission fluid 
    2. Fluid capacity: Fill the same amount of fluid drained from drain plug hole. 
  8. Bleed the air from control valve. < Ref. to AIR BLEEDING OF CONTROL VALVE . >
  9. Check the level of ATF. < Ref. to AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID . >
  10. Perform the advance operation of learning control. (Turbo-model)
    1. Warm up the automatic transmission.

      (Raise the ATF temperature to 60 - 90°C (140 - 194°F).)

    2. Set the select lever to "P" range and apply parking brake, then lift-up the vehicle.
    3. Connect the SUBARU Select Monitor to vehicle.
    4. Using SUBARU Select Monitor, check that the DTC is not output.
    5. Using SUBARU Select Monitor, select the {2. Each System Check}-->{Transmission Control System}-->{Current Data Display & Save}-->{12. Data Display}, and then indicate ATF Temp. data with using the scroll key.
    6. Using SUBARU Select Monitor, verify the ATF temperature is within a range of 60 - 90°C (140 - 194°F). During operation of the advance operation of learning control, leave the indication of SUBARU Select Monitor display as it is.

      < Ref. to PROCEDURE , Basic Diagnostic Procedure . >

    7. Take all electrical load (headlight, air conditioner, seat heater, rear defogger, etc.) off the vehicle.
    8. With pressing shift lock release button, set the select lever to "R" range.
    9. Leave the vehicle for 30 seconds as it is.
    10. If error message "Communicate Failure" is indicated on the display of SUBARU Select Monitor, turn the ignition switch to ON with depressing the brake pedal. (Keep the brake pedal depressed after this step.)
    11. Confirm that display of SUBARU Select Monitor return to normal indication. (the error message is not shown.)
    12. Set the select lever to "P" range, and then wait for more than three seconds.
    13. Set the select lever to "R" range, and then wait for more than three seconds.
    14. Set the select lever to "N" range, and then wait for more than three seconds.
    15. Set the select lever to "D" range, and then wait for more than three seconds.
    16. Set the select lever to "N" range, and then wait for more than three seconds.
    17. Slightly depress the accelerator pedal to full open.
    18. Slightly release the accelerator pedal to full close.
    19. Start the engine.
    20. Shift the select lever to "D" range after the engine speed decreases and becomes stable.
    21. At this time, AT OIL TEMP warning light in the combination meter blinks at 2Hz.
    22. The advance operation of learning control is finished, when AT OIL TEMP warning light blink changes from 2Hz to 0.5Hz. If the interval of the blinking changes to 4 Hz (faster interval), the advance operation of learning control is not completed normally. Therefore, turn the ignition switch to OFF and repeat steps from 5).
    23. If the advance operation of learning control is completed normally, shift the select lever to "N" range. Turn the ignition switch to OFF and complete this operation.
CAUTION:
  • After step 8), keep the brake pedal depressed till step 23). (If the brake pedal is released in the midst of operation, AT OIL TEMP warning light does not illuminate at step 21) or the interval of the blinking changes to 4 Hz.)
  • Before operating the advance operation of learning control, perform Clear Memory Mode 2 and erase the back-up memory in TCM.
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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.

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