Oppo, You Are My Only Hope!

"JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!" (jqj213)
08/09/2014 at 10:02 • Filed to: Subaru, help, issue, question, forester

This is my aunt's 2014 Subaru Forester in the limited trim. Because of this, it has the auto close trunk (you hit the button and it closes or opens on its own). However, it doesn't work! The car does the proper beeps and such, but nothing happens. Anyone know anything???

DISCUSSION (18)

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:06

Could be numerous things. I assume it has a sensor to stop it closing on your head when you activate it, maybe that's obstructed?

Brian Silvestro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:06

Electrical = COMPLICATED AF

At least that's what I think

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:08

Maybe close it yourself???????

Skif6996 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:09

I would try a Subaru specific forum. Use the search function because it has probably happened to other people before. You would be surprised how much you can diagnose with the help of a vehicle-specific forum

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Brian Silvestro
08/09/2014 at 10:09

Unless your like me and stare at it for hours and rewire it in a way that you have 5 relay switches to do one job.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Brian Silvestro
08/09/2014 at 10:12

Amen to that! Pairing my phone up to the Bluetooth was the most painful thing I have ever done.

And the manual was not very clear.

It gets complicated since there are three buttons, one on the key, one on the dash, and the one on the trunk. When I hit them, the car does the proper beeps and flashes the hazards twice (like the manual says it will) but nothing happens. So annoying since I'm generally good with this stuff.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
08/09/2014 at 10:12

At this point its more a matter of the car has this feature that is supposed to work and it isn't. And I want to make it work.

Brian Silvestro > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:12

You should just start throwing things. That always works.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Skif6996
08/09/2014 at 10:17

I don't own any Subarus so I don't know but do you know any good ones with helpful people?

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
08/09/2014 at 10:17

That's a good idea actually, I think I'll go out and look for the sensors and make sure they are clear. Thanks

RotaryLover > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:20

2014 = Warranty = let the dealer deal with this. Some asshole dealerships with not honor the warranty if they learn that you tempered with it. I'd suggest a battery reset but it could temporary remove some features or remove some features that are only accessible with a computer. Let me take a look at Subbie forums.

RotaryLover > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:25

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f77/…

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/…

These might help.

Skif6996 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:25

I don't own one either. Try Google. "Subaru Forrester automatic trunk" or "Subaru Forrester hatch problem." The results should include a forum somewhere. Then use that forums search option to narrow it down.

Boxer_4 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 10:49

Are you using the dashboard button. If so, I believe that all doors must be unlocked for the gate to open. Also, check to see that you don't have the "memory" switch pushed in on the dashboard.

How many beeps sound when you try to open the gate. It should be 2, I believe. If it beeps 3 times, the problem is most likely that the Power Rear Gate (PRG) experienced an incomplete initialization procedure, and disabled itself. There is a TSB out (TSB# 07-80-13 ) that addresses this issue. It's fairly simple to re-enable the PRG using this procedure:

1. With the ignition "OFF", open the PRG manually using a fluid motion (no light flash or beep should occur).

2. Carefully (slowly) close the rear gate until the first audible "click" of the rear gate latch mechanism is heard, then immediately let go of the rear gate. The auto closer function will then operate to complete the rear gate closing / latching function. This will also complete the initialization process. If the auto closer function is inoperative, diagnose per the applicable Service Manual.

3. After the PRG is fully closed, operate either the Gate Opener switch, the Gate Inner (close) switch, remote keyless access switch or the Interior PRG Open/Close switch to verify the automatic opening and closing operation.

If you get past the first 3 steps and the PRG still doesn't work, take it in for service.

A failed initialization procedure most often occurs if a voltage drop occurs during the exact time the initialization procedure is in progress. The initialization procedure occurs any time the PRG is operated.

Subaru has developed a new PRG controller to remedy the issue. Even if you do get the PRG working again, I would strongly recommend getting the new PRG controller installed at the next service.

If none of the above is the issue, then take it in for service. It could be a faulty sensor.

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > Boxer_4
08/09/2014 at 11:50

Answer of the year!!! Thank you so much!

I keep getting the three beeps so something must be wrong. I tried fixing myself using those tips, but had no luck. Lucky for her she needed to take it in for the firdt service anyway, so timing was perfect.

I told her to just print out the TSB and show them to make everything easier.

Funniest thing was she never even knew the car featured this and was so happy to learn it had the feature and I was so upset when I couldnt get it to work.

I spent like 3 hours on Google last night and never even found this, how did you know? Better Google skills or do you own one?

Thanks again!

Boxer_4 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 12:23

It's all about knowing where to look. I found it buried a few pages into a thread discussing similar issues on subaruforester.org.

Subaruforester.org is a great source of knowledge for all of the Forester models. There are a lot of users that know their stuff and are usually very helpful. It's the first place I look for our 2009 Forester.

Burrito de EJ25 > JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder!
08/09/2014 at 12:53

I'd give the dealer a ring. It's a 4th generation Fozzie, so I imagine it's under warranty still. If something's busted they'll take care of it.

Boxer_4 > RotaryLover
08/09/2014 at 13:31

A battery reset will clear any trouble codes that are stored on the Power Rear Gate controller. A dealer will probably want to pull those while diagnosing the problem.