Disconnecting your car battery can lead to the loss of crucial settings in your vehicle’s control modules, radio presets, and clock. For 2015 Subaru WRX owners, maintaining these settings during battery replacement or disconnection is a common concern. While some vehicles allow for power maintenance through accessory outlets, Subarus, including the 2015 WRX, often require a different approach. The On-Board Diagnostics (OBD2) port can be a viable solution, providing a constant power source to preserve your car’s memory. This guide will explain the location of your 2015 WRX OBD2 port and how it can be utilized to maintain settings when disconnecting the battery.
Understanding the OBD2 Port in Your 2015 WRX
The OBD2 port is a standard feature in modern vehicles, including the 2015 WRX. Primarily used for diagnostics and emission testing, this port also offers a direct connection to your car’s electrical system. For your 2015 WRX, the OBD2 port is typically located beneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. You’ll usually find it in the vicinity of the steering column, often near the hood release lever or fuse box access. It’s designed to be easily accessible for mechanics and technicians to plug in diagnostic scanners. Pin 16 of this port is particularly important as it provides a constant 12V power supply directly from the battery, even when the ignition is off.
Using the OBD2 Port to Maintain Memory During Battery Change
This constant power supply at pin 16 of your 2015 WRX OBD2 port can be cleverly used to maintain power to your car’s systems when the battery is disconnected. By connecting a 12V power source to this pin before disconnecting the main battery, you can prevent memory loss. Specialized tools and adapters are available that service centers often use, which connect a portable 12V battery pack to the OBD2 port. This temporary power feed ensures that the various control modules, radio, and clock retain their settings while you work on the battery.
However, it’s crucial to understand the limitations. The OBD2 port’s power circuit is usually protected by a relatively small fuse, often around 7.5 Amps. This is sufficient to keep the modules powered but is not designed to handle significant electrical loads. Therefore, when using this method, ensure that all accessories in your 2015 WRX are turned off – including interior lights, headlights, and the radio itself. Opening a door and activating interior lights, for example, could draw more current than the 7.5 Amp fuse allows, causing it to blow. If this fuse blows, you will experience the same memory loss as if you had simply disconnected the battery without any power maintenance.
Why This Matters for Your 2015 WRX
Maintaining power during battery disconnection for your 2015 WRX offers several benefits. Primarily, it saves you the hassle of resetting radio presets, re-adjusting the clock, and potentially dealing with a temporary rough idle. The engine control module (ECM) in your WRX, like in many modern cars, learns and adapts its settings over time to optimize engine performance. Disconnecting the battery without maintaining power can erase some of this learned data, requiring the ECM to “relearn” after reconnection. This relearning process can sometimes result in suboptimal engine performance for a short period.
In conclusion, while replacing the battery in your 2015 WRX, utilizing the OBD2 port and pin 16 with a temporary 12V power supply is a practical method to prevent memory loss. Just remember to be mindful of the fuse limitation and avoid drawing excessive power during the process. This simple step can save you time and ensure a smoother experience after battery replacement.
