07 Subaru Forester Now Worthless Due to Essential Part Discontinuation

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

rockauto.com

No luck with rockauto.com but thx.

[Watty]

Have you also tried posting on one of the Subaru forums? Some of these are for Outbacks but there are some links to Foresters I think.

https://www.thesubaruforums.com/forums/ ... tback.15/

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/


https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/


The forums might be worth a shot if the junk yards, etc. don't work.

I have an older Outback and I would also try going through an independent mechanic to see if they knew of a source (vs. a dealer) if you have a good one.

There is also a dedicated Subaru Forester Forum which I have used to research questions about my Forester.

https://www.subaruforester.org/

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

The 2007 Subaru Forrester was available with a manual transmission. Worst case you could get a shop to fabicobble one in and go manual. Then you don’t need no stinking computer.

If I were a mechanic I would consider but don't drive manual.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

Try google. It looks like TCM for 2007 forester s still made.

Op, are you using an independent shop? If so, maybe try a Subaru dealers shop. They should have the best availability of parts. Don’t spend on a mew vehicle unless you want to.

Hello, I was working with my Subaru dealer's shop. After 6 weeks of looking for the part, they informed me that exhausted all of their approved and alternate sources.

Lots of great responses here. I'll be working on contacting at least two or three independent shops.

Sorry that your dealer’s shop is not helpful. They should be better. Your vehicle is not an antique.

Well put

Update 8/29:

Hello again, can you send me the source that indicates the "TCM for 2007 foresters still made"? Thx.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

Have you also tried posting on one of the Subaru forums? Some of these are for Outbacks but there are some links to Foresters I think.

https://www.thesubaruforums.com/forums/ ... tback.15/

https://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/


https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/


The forums might be worth a shot if the junk yards, etc. don't work.

I have an older Outback and I would also try going through an independent mechanic to see if they knew of a source (vs. a dealer) if you have a good one.

There is also a dedicated Subaru Forester Forum which I have used to research questions about my Forester.

https://www.subaruforester.org/

Joined, thx.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

I have a friend who restores antique cars; he now uses a 3D printer for many parts - don't know about metal parts, but apparently that's possible also. By way of example, it seems metal 3d is possible? https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/Solu ... gLc__D_BwE

Metal 3d printing is possible, and you can even print rocket engines, but it's not a practical possibility for a home hobbyist. Systems to do it reliably for a structural piece cost hundreds of thousands of dollars minimum, and a third party producer will still be prohibitively expensive for a robust metal part.

That said, the item OP needs is not a piece of metal or plastic but has electronics inside.

Yes

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

One other thought

What are the 'symptoms', besides lights on the dashboard. I am talking about things like 'jerky' shifting, not shifting when expected (ie high or low RPMs), etc?

Does your vehicle have the ability to shift the auto transmission manually (such as this), and if so have you tried it?

Hi, Before the dash lit up, my shifter was getting stuck in Park. I was able to release the lock. Was scheduled to take to dealer when dash lit up.
Any thoughts on whether I have two separate or two related problems? My trans layout looks like pic you display. Thx.

[AllMostThere]

I called Subaru corporate too. Send letter to Customer Advocacy. After researching, corporate told me part has been discontinued. If I understood them correctly, they said that only have to make parts for ten years from year of car; something like that.

That 10-year production window is only relevant at End of Production (EOP) not when product was made. A trans controller will often be used for 5-7 years before the service window of 10 or 15 years beyond EOP starts to tick. Unfortunately, production suppliers are notorious for price increases once a part moves into service realm (I specialized in this activity when I was in Automotive component sales). OEM's hate this activity, but it's hard to prevent unless there is other serious leverage over the supplier. Even if you found a new service PN, it may be very expensive. As suggested by others, you are better off looking for a used controller via the junk/used market. There are many used suppliers out there that provide guarantees of operation and/or warranty. Keep looking.....

[Dechan]

I looked over the original post, updates, responses. I would first focus on trying to repair your current car before looking for a new one. Here's what I think:

1. The best next step is to get a second opinion, which I am glad to see the poster will be doing. Your dealer seems either incompetent, lazy, or both. The poster says the dealer misdiagnosed a bad wheel bearing. The whole story about not being able to find the right part seems strange. I have had lots of bad dealer experiences, so this dealer may be one of the bad ones.

2. I think dealers mostly work on newer cars (less than 10 years old), doing a lot of warranty work. Your car is a 2007, so 16 years old. Owners of older cars often are not willing to pay premium dealership service prices. This dealer's knowledge of older cars and their problems may not be great because they may no longer work on many older cars. Dealers usually get their parts new from the manufacturer, so they may not have a strong network of alternative parts sources (aftermarket, eBay, salvage yards, etc.) when the manufacturer does not have a part anymore. The dealer may not even want to work on your older car and is giving you this "can't find the right part" story to make you go away or encourage you to buy a new car from them.

3. The poster had a complete engine reseal job done (sounds like major work if it cost $3,200) in May/June 2023. The latest problem started in June 2023. The timing seems suspicious so close together. Maybe the dealer broke something when doing the complete engine reseal job or did a shoddy repair which has now quickly failed, which is another reason to get an independent second opinion.

4. Assuming the problem is actually the Transmission Control Module (which I'm not convinced is really the problem), I find it hard to believe the TCM for the LL Bean Forester is different from that of other Foresters. The TCM for a regular Forester should not be hard to find used from eBay, salvage yards, etc. LL Bean package seems to be a mostly cosmetic and luxury feature package, not mechanical. A quick Internet search says the LL Bean package might have a rear self-leveling suspension. Could rear self-leveling suspension require a unique TCM?

5. When a part number has been superseded by another part number, that usually means the manufacturer made some changes to it over the part's life. The poster says the latest part is #31711AL032 which has been discontinued. The earlier part numbers are #31711AL030 and #31711AL031. So finding any of these three part numbers would probably work, even if the earlier part numbers may have some flaws. This assumes the TCM is the actually the problem and these are the correct replacement TCM part numbers.

6. If the independent mechanic you found does not work out, the way I recommend to find a good mechanic is to ask your family and friends who they have used and recommend. I see you are in Illinois. Are you near Homer Glen, IL? I watch this automotive repair YouTube channel called The Car Care Nut. The guy's knowledge is impressive and I would take my Toyota there if I lived nearby. He specializes in Toyota, Lexus, and Scion but I think he'd probably work on Subaru too. He might be worth the effort to call if you want another option. https://tccnautomotive.com/

7. If you are an AAA member, your membership may include free towing service to get your car towed from the dealer to the second opinion mechanic.

8. Forums are great places to get valuable information, but you need to ask the right questions and do your own due diligence because you will receive both enlightening and questionable advice.

[Dechan]

What does the LLBean trim level include that distinguishes it from a regular Forester? Can you verify whether or not the vehicle is turbo and whether or not it has ESC (Electronic Stability Control)?

A quick Internet search says the LL Bean package might have a rear self-leveling suspension. Do you have any idea if a rear self-leveling suspension requires a unique TCM?

I didn't see anything about a turbo or ESC difference in the LL Bean, but I only looked for a few minutes.

https://www.reddit.com/r/SubaruForester ... n_edition/

https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/ ... ed.824487/

[ondarvr]

I've had several Subarus, I used specialized auto repair shops that either worked only on Subarus, or they're a significant portion of what they do work on. These shops know what works and what doesn't to keep Subarus on the road.

I found their abilities to work on them better than a dealer in some ways because they could/would identify weak points and use aftermarket parts that were better, or parts from a different model or year Subaru that were better.

These specialty shops are common and are well known in places where Subarus are common.

[bd7]

Will send this to my independent mechanic; owner doesn't "buy" the TCM as a cause. Said TCM failure is not common.

From your story it sounds like your car should have been in his shop in the first place.

[schachtw]

eBay Motors?

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

I called Subaru corporate too. Send letter to Customer Advocacy. After researching, corporate told me part has been discontinued. If I understood them correctly, they said that only have to make parts for ten years from year of car; something like that.

That 10-year production window is only relevant at End of Production (EOP) not when product was made. A trans controller will often be used for 5-7 years before the service window of 10 or 15 years beyond EOP starts to tick. Unfortunately, production suppliers are notorious for price increases once a part moves into service realm (I specialized in this activity when I was in Automotive component sales). OEM's hate this activity, but it's hard to prevent unless there is other serious leverage over the supplier. Even if you found a new service PN, it may be very expensive. As suggested by others, you are better off looking for a used controller via the junk/used market. There are many used suppliers out there that provide guarantees of operation and/or warranty. Keep looking.....

Thank you!

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

I looked over the original post, updates, responses. I would first focus on trying to repair your current car before looking for a new one. Here's what I think:

1. The best next step is to get a second opinion, which I am glad to see the poster will be doing. Your dealer seems either incompetent, lazy, or both. The poster says the dealer misdiagnosed a bad wheel bearing. The whole story about not being able to find the right part seems strange. I have had lots of bad dealer experiences, so this dealer may be one of the bad ones.

Dealer claims they put hours into search. Story of not being to find the right part seems strange to the independent mechanic, too.

2. I think dealers mostly work on newer cars (less than 10 years old), doing a lot of warranty work. Your car is a 2007, so 16 years old. Owners of older cars often are not willing to pay premium dealership service prices. This dealer's knowledge of older cars and their problems may not be great because they may no longer work on many older cars. Dealers usually get their parts new from the manufacturer, so they may not have a strong network of alternative parts sources (aftermarket, eBay, salvage yards, etc.) when the manufacturer does not have a part anymore. The dealer may not even want to work on your older car and is giving you this "can't find the right part" story to make you go away or encourage you to buy a new car from them.

Dealer claims it looked into alternatives sources as well as checking with manufacturer. I'll ask them the types of sources they checked with. I'm not sure whether their "approved sources" include salvage or junkyards, etc.


3. The poster had a complete engine reseal job done (sounds like major work if it cost $3,200) in May/June 2023. The latest problem started in June 2023. The timing seems suspicious so close together. Maybe the dealer broke something when doing the complete engine reseal job or did a shoddy repair which has now quickly failed, which is another reason to get an independent second opinion.

I thought suspicious timing of events, too. Second opinion next week hopefully; pending when they can fit my car in their shop.

On 8-29, I corrected June 2023 to July 2023 in my original post. The June complete engine reseal and the July TCM failure may still be related; something to look at.

4. Assuming the problem is actually the Transmission Control Module (which I'm not convinced is really the problem), I find it hard to believe the TCM for the LL Bean Forester is different from that of other Foresters. The TCM for a regular Forester should not be hard to find used from eBay, salvage yards, etc. LL Bean package seems to be a mostly cosmetic and luxury feature package, not mechanical. A quick Internet search says the LL Bean package might have a rear self-leveling suspension. Could rear self-leveling suspension require a unique TCM?

I still have the original window sticker; under "Performance and Exterior" section, "Rear Self Leveling Suspension" is listed. I'll ask independent mechanic whether such suspension requires a unique TCM?

5. When a part number has been superseded by another part number, that usually means the manufacturer made some changes to it over the part's life. The poster says the latest part is #31711AL032 which has been discontinued. The earlier part numbers are #31711AL030 and #31711AL031. So finding any of these three part numbers would probably work, even if the earlier part numbers may have some flaws. This assumes the TCM is the actually the problem and these are the correct replacement TCM part numbers.

Right.

6. If the independent mechanic you found does not work out, the way I recommend to find a good mechanic is to ask your family and friends who they have used and recommend. I see you are in Illinois. Are you near Homer Glen, IL? I watch this automotive repair YouTube channel called The Car Care Nut. The guy's knowledge is impressive and I would take my Toyota there if I lived nearby. He specializes in Toyota, Lexus, and Scion but I think he'd probably work on Subaru too. He might be worth the effort to call if you want another option. https://tccnautomotive.com/

Homer Glen is not practical for a tow; about an hour from me. But I could call him to ask for a referral in Chicago if I need another independent mechanic.

7. If you are an AAA member, your membership may include free towing service to get your car towed from the dealer to the second opinion mechanic.

Got AAA!

8. Forums are great places to get valuable information, but you need to ask the right questions and do your own due diligence because you will receive both enlightening and questionable advice.

Good clarification, thx.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

Will send this to my independent mechanic; owner doesn't "buy" the TCM as a cause. Said TCM failure is not common.

From your story it sounds like your car should have been in his shop in the first place.

Agree. The reason why I elected to start with dealer is because I just had the engine work done and thought the symptoms might be engine related and repair would be under recent repair warranty.

[bd7]

Could rear self-leveling suspension require a unique TCM?

AFAIK the self-levelling on this is done via a system built into the shock absorber assembly itself, using the car's bouncing to pump itself up. No external air compressors or anything like that. It is theoretically possible that the TCM calibration could be different somehow, but I really doubt it and even if it were, that wouldn't stop you from using a TCM from a car without rear levelling.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

It's a problem with all older vehicles.

My Town Car uses a computer module in the driver's door (DDM) to operate the power locks.

The driver's side mirror leaked and let water inside a wiring harness, corroding wires, & shorting out the DDM.

No longer available new, mechanic got a used DDM & swapped it in, then it blew out again.

So now I have my mechanic trying to find & replace the corroded wire(s) in that massive wiring harness inside the driver's door.

Stressful work. Sorry.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

eBay Motors?

Thx.

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

I've had several Subarus, I used specialized auto repair shops that either worked only on Subarus, or they're a significant portion of what they do work on. These shops know what works and what doesn't to keep Subarus on the road.

I found their abilities to work on them better than a dealer in some ways because they could/would identify weak points and use aftermarket parts that were better, or parts from a different model or year Subaru that were better.

These specialty shops are common and are well known in places where Subarus are common.

In chicago-metro, there's the Subie Clinic. Might visit it depending on what this week's independent shop sees, etc.

[Watty]

Any update on this?

[lhwerdyt*1791c]

Any update on this?

Hello Watty et al -

I want to write "you won't believe this" but you all will believe it: Sub dealer misdiagnosed problem as a TCM failure. On September 6, my independent mechanic diagnosed it correctly and fixed it the same day I dropped off my car to him: Break Light Switch needed adjusting!!

There is more to the story and I will update you all with everything approx. Wednesday of this week pending full inspection by same independent mechanic. I want the inspection to find out whether I should hold on to the car or sell, trade it, etc.

Thanks so much for your inquiry on status.

[Jack FFR1846]

Boy. Does your story ever sound just like a South Main Auto youtube video. Car gets towed from the dealer who can't figure out anything even though they gave it to their best 19 year old mechanic. Eric diagnoses the issue using a logical troubleshooting technique and always finds the problems. The most recent one I watched, the complaint was that the key fob lock didn't sound the alarm. The customer obviously brought the car somewhere else (the dealer) who pulled the fuse with the fuse box included puller for the horn and left it sitting in the box, unconnected. Anyways, having a really good, independent mechanic is of huge value. I'd rather pay mine $200 an hour to do his work (he's only like $65) than have some random dealer mechanic have no clue and guess.

[JDave]

At this point I would throw in the towel, tell myself it was a learning experience, and buy a Toyota, or Lexus if you feel rich. Never buy another Subaru.

[AllMostThere]

Any update on this?

Hello Watty et al -

I want to write "you won't believe this" but you all will believe it: Sub dealer misdiagnosed problem as a TCM failure. On September 6, my independent mechanic diagnosed it correctly and fixed it the same day I dropped off my car to him: Break Light Switch needed adjusting!!

There is more to the story and I will update you all with everything approx. Wednesday of this week pending full inspection by same independent mechanic. I want the inspection to find out whether I should hold on to the car or sell, trade it, etc.

Thanks so much for your inquiry on status.

OMG!!! It's a shame that I "do believe" you that the dealership misdiagnosed the issue.
I'll look for your update later in the week.