Jump to content
LegacyGT.com

2015 Legacy 2.5l cwon't start cold winter


Recommended Posts

Hi guys

 

Here in Canada we tend to have some cold winters as you might know , every morning my car takes 2 to 3 cranks to start, just past my warranty i believe im at 85 000km . ( not miles)

 

Im thinking if it was the battery it shouldn't crank at all , if its the starter it wouldn't crank ...could be the alternator ?

 

Once the car is driven and engine is warm, it starts right away

 

any suggestions ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battery is old. Mine will not survive this winter. What is the voltage reading when the car is running? Mine stays under 13V. My daughter killed the battery last year which required a major jump start and it hasn’t been the same since.

 

Start your car. Leave it in park. Hold done the home button and tap the audio/tune button five times. I think battery voltage is under the second menu option.

 

 

—-

Function check/setting

Then

Vehicle signal

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battery is old. Mine will not survive this winter. What is the voltage reading when the car is running? Mine stays under 13V. My daughter killed the battery last year which required a major jump start and it hasn’t been the same since.

 

Start your car. Leave it in park. Hold done the home button and tap the audio/tune button five times. I think battery voltage is under the second menu option.

 

will try that tonight

 

thank you !

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Im thinking if it was the battery it shouldn't crank at all , if its the starter it wouldn't crank ...could be the alternator ?

...

any suggestions ?

 

Dead battery = No crank. Weak battery (i.e. low charge, low voltage) = Slow crank.

 

There are at least two recent TSBs that address insufficient battery charging in 2015-2017 Legacys and Outbacks, particularly when used primarily in town for short trips. The "fix" involves a simple update to the ECU firmware, performed by the dealer. I had my 2015 Legacy 2.5 updated just yesterday.

 

Test: After sitting overnight, the voltage measured at the battery terminals with no load (i.e. doors closed, engine off) should be approximately 12.6 volts. If it's in the range of 12.0-12.2 volts (or lower), you are definitely a candidate for 1) the firmware update, 2) a new battery, or both.

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Dead battery = No crank. Weak battery (i.e. low charge, low voltage) = Slow crank.

 

There are at least two recent TSBs that address insufficient battery charging in 2015-2017 Legacys and Outbacks, particularly when used primarily in town for short trips. The "fix" involves a simple update to the ECU firmware, performed by the dealer. I had my 2015 Legacy 2.5 updated just yesterday.

 

Test: After sitting overnight, the voltage measured at the battery terminals with no load (i.e. doors closed, engine off) should be approximately 12.6 volts. If it's in the range of 12.0-12.2 volts (or lower), you are definitely a candidate for 1) the firmware update, 2) a new battery, or both.

 

 

Thank you for that information , any idea what the TSB number/reference is ? I’m going to take it to the dealership tomorrow

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Battery is old. Mine will not survive this winter. What is the voltage reading when the car is running? Mine stays under 13V. My daughter killed the battery last year which required a major jump start and it hasn’t been the same since.

 

Start your car. Leave it in park. Hold done the home button and tap the audio/tune button five times. I think battery voltage is under the second menu option.

 

 

—-

Function check/setting

Then

Vehicle signal

 

 

I tried this with no luck , my car doesn’t seem to have that battery voltage option

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Originally posted by denokarter:

 

... any idea what the TSB number/reference is ?

TSB 11-174-17R (June 2017, with several later revisions)

TSB 11-176-17 (November 2017)

 

N.B. These TSBs were issued by Subaru of America, so the update firmware may not be accessible in Canada.

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Think its the info button you need to touch and hold and then repeatedly press the audio/tune button that's right above it.

 

Based on his profile, his Legacy may be base trim, which has a Clarion head unit that is different than the Fujitsu Ten head units installed in higher trims.

"If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there." ~ The Cheshire Cat (Alice in Wonderland)

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Based on his profile, his Legacy may be base trim, which has a Clarion head unit that is different than the Fujitsu Ten head units installed in higher trims.

 

This is correct

 

Base trim , doesn’t seem to have battery voltage option

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I recommend getting this TSB update done. I've only had my 15 for 2yr-4mo and have 45k miles on it. I took it in today to have the ECU updated. Turns out my battery is also bad. Service rep. stated that the original battery only had about 350 cca and the new one is 550 cca. He also stated that the original programming wasn't charging the battery when driving below 25-30 mph. Maybe that's why the battery died prematurely besides being incorrectly sized.

 

Have a new battery and programming. Time will tell how well it does.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use