Program 2008 Subaru Outback XT Key with VXDIAG SSM3

Here comes the problem:

I’ve got a VXDIAG VCX SE Subaru scanner and I’m attempting to use SSM3 for key registration with the immo, but it’s asking for a Security ID. I believe this is a 5-digit code that Subaru dealerships typically provide.

The snag I’m facing is that my car is from the USA, and I’m currently in Canada. I’ve visited a few dealerships here, but they won’t give me the code, citing their inability to access codes for American cars.

Is there anyone out there who could assist me in obtaining the 5-digit security code for a 2008 Subaru Outback XT? This is the only piece missing for me to program these keys.

 

Most of tools either pulls the PIN from the car VIA OBDII or bypass the PIN. But SSM3 requires 5-digit security code to access.

The only way is to go to dealership and pay a fee to get your codes. 

 

User report:

Got the code from dealer. I was successful with the VCX SE by Vxdiag.

VXDIAG Subaru Forester 2009 DPF Regen Success

It is a Subaru Forester 2.0 Diesel (SHJ) 2009. The customer got the vxdiag subaru diagnostic box on this car. The cheap ssm cable works till 2009. This time he decided to take a chance and ordered a diagnostic box from VXDIAG Subaru V2022.01, Wi-Fi, for SUBARU SSM-III, 4. It works with Subaru Select Monitor 3.4 (SSM3, SSM4). This is the software that Subaru Dealer uses. You can read errors, flash, and most importantly, regen the DPF filter (relevant for those who have diesel versions).

And now for the mistakes. Errors on the CAN bus. Apparently, there is a problem which need to figure out later. 

Now, the most important part. DPF regeneration!

The car flew like a rocket.

VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 and SSM4 Interface Setting

Problem:

My vxdiag vcx Subaru SSM4 works fine on a 2014 Subaru Forester, but when I tested another 2013 Subaru Outback with SSM3, it failed to communicate. Error ‘Communication initialization failed. ‘

Any solution?

Solution:

In SSM3 at the starting screen, if you click on the top right “I/F Box”, there is only “Subaru Diagnostic Interface”, and “Denso DST-I”.

Make sure the “I/O box” is set to “SDI (Subaru Diagnostic Interface)”, it is connecting now.

In SSM4, set up interface as VXDIAG

How to Fix VXDIAG Subaru SSM4 Password Don’t Match?

Question: Where can I find the ‘subaruid.exe’ file for the patch? When I try to install VXDIAG VCX SE Subaru SSM4 it says my passwords don’t match, and asks me to type in a new one. The videos say to copy the product ID to subaruid.exe file, but I don’t have it and it’s not in the Subaru patch file posted.

Solution:

Download Subaru patch file here

https://mega.nz/folder/o1sHjK7S#f-SPzsTxU6-ZrEqGmq7ItA

subaruid.exe is included.

Copy and paste product ID to subaruid.exe

Crack succeeded.

Now Subaru SSM4 software is ready to use.

How to Install 2020.7 VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 SSM4 on Windows 7

VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 Review on 2009 OBXT

Symptom:

My 2009 OBXT VDC off light is staying on after finishing up a full LGT suspension/subframe/transmission swap. The first time I started it the light was not on, but everytime after that it has stayed on. I have bled the brake twice due to some sediment that was coming out of the system.

I might try to scan it will the FreeSSM or SSM3 scan tool  on a laptop or tablet.

 

Updated:

I was pretty sure I centered the rack as I counted lock to lock and then found the rough center before putting the steering shaft back on and the tie rod ends. BUT maybe I did not get it perfect.

My steering angle sensor is out of calibration. I noticed that the clock spring sounds like it is clicking when I turn the wheel sometimes, My steering wheel might have gotten turned while we were trying to attach it to the steering rack. Thus what it thinks is centered is no longer center.

 

I ordered a subaru SSMIII compatible device that is in the mail and I will try to calibrate it etc myself. As I also have an airbag fault that will not go away. I tend to like to do things myself rather than pay a dealership.

I ordered an interface that is compatible with my car and the Subaru SSM3.

https://www.vxdiagshop.com/wholesale/vxdiag-subaru-ssm-iii-multi-diagnostic-tool.html

That is the one I bought, had it shipped from the US. It should be here Saturday hopefully. I just need to get Windows 7 running on an old laptop. I guess SSM3 does not play nice with Windows 10 or something weird.

 

Why VXDIAG not other devices?

The VXDiag is an emulator box that allows communication from the car to the SSM3 software.

The Tactrix cable has the right chip but from what I can find on the tactrix cable it is not programmed to send data to the ecu correctly. (I did a bunch of googling on this and found a few people tried with no luck) I did not try the tactrix cable however…. but the SSM3 software is listed on that link on the first page. If you have the cable you could give it a try. I ended up using a Windows 10 laptop and it all seems to be working now… I think. but I will only be using that device for the VXDiag stuff and some PDFs on my car and the program.

For the calibration I had to refer to the FSM ala Vacation pics pdf. And I managed to find an old pdf for the ssm3 software that explains some of the methods the FSM asks you to complete. Sadly it did not say how off it was, but there is a section in the FSM that talks about aligning the steering angle sensor. There is a little sight hole on the back and the hash mark on the wheel inside has to line up with the secondary wheel on the inside. I explained that horribly so sorry, but if you look in the FSM it will make a little more sense. The clockspring has the alignment steps printed on it actually. I did not realize that until I was installing my bran-used one last week.

Now I have to figure out how to get cruise control and the menu buttons working with an aftermarket steering wheel…. why do I do these things to myself lol.

I tried using FreeSSM with the vcds cable and the Tactrix cable and it did not do anything for me. I had to use the SSM3 with that box I bought.

 

 

Result:

I found part of my issue was the steering angle sensor not being lined up correctly with the marks on the inside of the sight hole and the clockspring was actually broken.

VXDiag Subaru SSM3 worked! I had to use another laptop and I guess that will be the designated SSM3 laptop cause I had to disable all the anti virus and everything cause it is not an official version of SSM3 I guess?

But either way I solved my issue. Aligning the angle sensor, replacing the clock spring and calibrating the VDC system did it. Now to figure out what else I can do with SSM3.

It looks like I might be able to turn off the pesky TPMS light and maybe the Seatbelt warning? Keep updating.

 

Read more: How to Install 2020.07 VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 and SSM4?

VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 and SSM4 Language Change Guide

Both VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 and SSM4 software come with multi-language.  Here’s the tip to change 2020 version SSM4 language.

 

SSM3 Language: English, German, Spanish, French, Italian
SSM4 Language: English, Japanese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Polish

 

 

Change Subaru SSM3 language:

Run SSM3, go to Tool tab- Option – Language, select language desired, and save.

Change Subaru SSM4 language: 

Run SSM4, press Setting icon the on bottom left

Go to Option- Language,  select language desired, and save.

 

Read also:

How to Install 2020.7 VXDIAG Subaru SSM3 SSM4 on Windows 7

Swap Forester 2015 Cluster with SSM3 or SSM4

I swapped in a 2017 Limited instrument cluster into my 2015 Subaru Forester Premium and after hours of research and testing, I have succeeded in doing it without dealer assistance. I’ll go over everything I figured out along the way and describe it with as much detail as possible. The cluster has been installed for about 4 days now with no issues. I am also writing this up because there seems to be no tutorials about this anywhere online.

 

DISCLAIMER!
I am going off of what I’ve found to work with my car. Certain clusters may not work with your vehicle, so do your research before attempting to swap units. I am not responsible if you accidentally brick your Immobilizer system in the process It’s highly unlikely but it’s still a possibility. This guide is focused around those who have keys. I am not to sure about the keyless systems. I should also state that clusters with EyeSight enabled are NOT compatible with Foresters that don’t have it and vice versa.

Tools you’ll need 
1. Laptop with either Subaru Select Monitor 3 or 4 installed.
2. Communications box (such as VXDIAG Subaru or the really expensive Denso units that the dealerships use).
3. (If you’re using Select Monitor 4) Tactrix Openport 2.0 (I used SSM3 but this is the cheaper option) .

Let’s get to it!

 

Prepping 
1. Remove the two screws holding the bezel around the gauge cluster then, pull on it to remove.
2. Once the bezel is out of the way, remove the last four screws holding the gauge cluster in but don’t remove just it yet.
3. Boot up SSM 3 or 4 and stay on the main menu.
4. Start the car.
5. While your car is on, remove the old cluster.
6. Plug in your new cluster, make sure everything works. Multiple lights will be on such as the airbag and CEL. (You can clear those later).
7. Turn off the car and turn the key immediately into the ON position. (Do NOT remove the key, if you do you’ll have to start over).

Programming
Getting to the immobilizer section in 3 is different from 4 I’ll get into that here.
1. In the SSM4 main menu select “Immobilizer and Registration”.
1A. From the SSM3 main menu select “All Other Models” and then “Immobilizer”.
2. SSM4 should ask you for you vehicle type (mine was type b) while 3 should detect it automatically
Form here on out the programming process is the same on both.
3. When the “System Check” window pops up hit “Yes”.
4. When the “Smart System” window pops up hit “No” if you don’t have it “Yes” if you do.
5. When the main menu for the Immobilizer system opens select “Immobilizer Key ID Deletion”. The system will delete all keys registered, except for the one in the ignition.
6. Next, head into “Immobilizer System Registration” this will force the used cluster to learn your keys.
7. The registration will begin. You have 30 seconds to swap keys before it resets.
8. The system can store up to 4 keys. Once the final key is programmed wait 30 seconds for SSM to exit the registration process. Do not click exit/cancel.
9. Head into the “Diagnostics” tab in SSM.
10. Select all DTC and when it’s done reading the codes clear them. They should never comeback (except for one, read the end).
11. You’re done! Exit SSM safely and take the key out of the ignition. The cluster should recognize your keys now and allow you to start the car.
12. Enjoy your new instrument cluster!

Registering The OEM Remote Start
1. With the new cluster programmed head into SSM 3/4 and go into the Immobilizer tab again. Select “Remote Engine Start CM Registration”.
2. The system will register your remote start without you having todo anything and should take no more than 30 seconds.

Conclusion
Like I said in the beginning of the writeup, this was done on my ’15 Premium I missed the electroluminescence that I had on my 2010 (with a Touring cluster from a 2011). There’s this one code (U0140, Combination Meter: Lost Communication with BCM) that won’t seem to go away however, the cluster is working just fine with no dash lights and I passed the NYS inspection today with it so I’m just going to ignore it. There is no way to manipulate MID on the cluster since the switches on the steering wheel control the MFD on the dash. I can live with it like this though if someone has the wiring diagrams to the cluster’s harness that would help me A LOT and I don’t feel like swapping out my HVAC and radio dash trims to the ’17 ones while adding in the switch below the hazard button. I’d much rather utilize the blank switches near the traction control off switch. I hope I explained this well and I hope it was clear.

 

Images:

Before, daytime (swapped faceplate and needels to look like a basic limited 14-16)

 

After, daytime

 

Before, night (converted backlighting to white, originally red)

 

After, night

 

Interior shot

 

Credits to @ Franku

 

Here is the good resource of VXDIAG Subaru Select Monitor 3

https://www.vxdiagshop.com/wholesale/vxdiag-subaru-ssm-iii-multi-diagnostic-tool.html