FreeSSM – Full access to your ECM and TCU

This is an amazing piece of software that was written by some very talented people.
The software is open source and I spent a total of $18 on the cable.
Keep this in mind, this is NOT an OBD II scan tool.
If you tried to use one of the many generic OBD II USB adapters out there with this software, it will NOT work.
It uses the same protocols as the dealer Subaru Select Monitor, so you need an adapter that supports this. (Read below)

“FreeSSM is a free and easy-to-use diagnostic and tuning tool for SUBARU vehicles.
It provides access to Legacy/Liberty, Outback, Baja, Impreza, Forester and Tribeca (not prior to MY1999) engines and transmission control units.

Download:
BerliOS Developer: Project Summary – FreeSSM
Version 1.2.5 is the latest.

Skills:
-Uses the same protocol as Subaru Select Monitor.
ECU communication consists of several layers. There are several SAE and ISO standards, but manufacturers also do their own thing.
FreeSSM accesses ECMs through a specific SUBARU protocol (called SSM2), which is actually a modified version of the ISO-14230 (KWP2000) protocol.
At the bottom layer, it is fully compliant with ISO-9142/14230.
For both engine and transmission:
-Read and clear current and history codes, general and manufacturer specific.
-View real-time data from onboard sensors.
-Adjustments (the fun one) can make corrections to the results.
-System tests, you can manually test different components.

Supported models:
The software supports Legacy®/Liberty®/Outback®/Baja®, Impreza® (including WRX + STi), Forester®, Exiga® and Tribeca® models from the 1999 model year through the 2009 model year.
Model year 2010 is already supported, but some gauge blocks may be missing and some diagnostic codes may not be displayed as plain text.
Vehicles up to the 1998 model year, as well as SVX®, Justy®, Libero® and Vivio® models are not supported.
The 1999+2000 model years should be considered a transition period. According to current observations (European models), access to the engine control unit of Legacy®/Liberty®/Outback®/Baja® models is already possible since the 1999 model year, while most Impreza® models and some Foresters® supported from model year 2000 onwards.
Transmission control units are not supported prior to the 2000 model year, in most cases support begins with the 2001 model year.
It is useful to have a look at the diagnostic connector: if pin 7 is available, at least the engine control unit should be available.
From model year 2001 onwards, both control units must be supported.”

Data trouble codes:
79 / 539 / 32 (Non-OBD / OBD2 / CC)

Measuring blocks:
222 / 172 (Data / Keys)

Adjustment values:
3 / 18 (Engine / Transmission)

System tests:
21 / 1 (Activators / others) (Engine only)

What you need:
-A computer;
Laptop, desktop, car PC whatever floats your boat. (Linux, Windows)
-An adapter (see below)
– Software (linked above)
– A Subaru

Which adapter works?:
The software works with all ISO-9141-2-/ISO-14230-1 compliant interfaces (K/L- and KK/L-), serving as simple voltage level converters (“Dump” interface) or have a “pass-through” mode.
The interface must be selectable through a serial port, which also includes USB interfaces whose driver provides a virtual serial port (eg FTDI-USB chip interfaces).

This is a (non-exhaustive) list of interfaces that should work with FreeSSM (no guarantees!):
– all interfaces working with VW-Tool and VAG-COM up to version 311.3 (409)
– OpenPort interface 1.2/1.3 (not 2.0!)
– AGV2055, AGV3000, AGV3001, AGV3100, AGV4000, AGV4500 chipset interfaces that provide a switch to enable “transit mode” (eg OBD-Diag® interfaces)
– Interface “Jeff Noxons” (-design)
– “Andy Whitakkers” interface (-design)

Interfaces with the ELM chip (ELM320, ELM322, ELM323, ELM327) will not work because they use a fixed AT command set, which is not compatible with the SUBARU® specific protocol.

The OpenPort 1.2/1.3 interfaces are actually ISO-9141/ISO-14230 passthrough interfaces with minor extensions (serial status/handshake lines are used for eg program voltage switching).
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With that said, if you already have one of these adapters, congratulations! If not, you can decide which one you would like to receive.
My recommendation: The Vag-Com KKL 409.1 can be found for $18 on ebay from an American seller.

Configuration:
Ok, I have the software and the adapter, how do I get it to work?
– Plug in your cable, let your computer find the drivers automatically.
If not, cables usually come with a driver cd, use that.
If not, do some research online.
It really depends on the cable you get.
The VAG COM cable I bought required no configuration, connected, found, done. Works on XP, Vista and 7 I tested all these OS.

-Install the software
On the main screen go to Preferences
In the drop-down list: Serial Port
Choose which COM port your adapter is on
If you have no idea what I’m talking about:
Hold the windows button on the keyboard and press Pause/Break
Click Device Manager
Select ports (COM & LPT)
Your adapter should be listed here
Right-click on the adapter, select Properties
Under Port Settings, Advanced you can see what port it is on, you can change this to another # if you want.
This path may be different depending on the operating system you are using.

-Connect to OBD II connector with key on and “Test Diagnostic Interface” under Preferences.
If everything checks out, you’re good to go.

Software:
Here are some screenshots when I used this software.

Click on Engine or Transmission

Preferences

ECU capabilities
Codes

Here in the measurement blocks you can click the + sign and choose from which parameters you want to view real-time data.
Select as many parameters as you want.

ARRANGEMENTS

Functional tests, you must connect the green connector under the dash for this to work.

TCU skills
Codes

Measuring blocks

ARRANGEMENTS
If you look closely there is 1 parameter that I changed.

For those of you with automatics that report, bind or grind while cornering at low speeds (parking lots, etc.)
I have successfully reduced the symptoms by fixing the transfer task report debug.
Note: Increasing this value for 04’+ decreases the transfer duty ratio %, my electrical monitoring testing verifies this.
03′ and the money should be refunded, please do your own testing to verify this.

If the vehicle loses power or the battery dies/disconnects, all adjustment values ​​will reset to default.

As you can see, this is the last resort for your Subaru.
In addition to purchasing your Subaru Select Monitor, this software will allow you to have almost complete control of your vehicle.
Automatic adjustments in particular can really let you adjust everything. (If you know what you’re doing!)

Anyone with a 2010 and 2011 and 2012 please report back and let me know if it works for you.
I know it works until at least 2008, but beyond that I don’t know.

So there you have it, the best scanner for your Subaru available.
Have fun and enjoy your Subies.

Disclaimer: I shall not be liable for any damages resulting from the improper use of this software.
Know exactly what you are doing before attempting any adjustments or tests.
This is definitely not the place to “play” with the settings.