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Old 11-07-2018, 10:47 AM   #1
Ski-Free
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2006 Forester - NA

Default VAG Com Cable Compatibility

Hey guys was hoping to get a little insight from some more knowledgeable people to find out if I can use just the VAG Com cable or need the Tractrix. I've read a bunch of forums but generally speaking they are aimed at turbo Subaru which I don't have .

A little background on what I am trying to achieve, basically I have been struggling with EVAP codes for the better part of 6 months and at this point sunk close to 500$ on replacement parts and diagnosis from various shops and have decided my preferred method is to just disable the codes and rip the system out in the summer (it's gotten too cold in Canada to chase an EVAP light without a garage).

Here's what my research has led me to believe (please correct me if I am wrong):

- My car does NOT have a CAN BUS ECU
- My car does have a 32 bit ECU
- ROM Raider likely does have definitions for my ECU
- I will need a VAG Com cable that supports 409.1 KKL

The VAG Com cable should work for flashing my ECU right? While the Tractix cable does sound like a more safe bet I can't justify 250$ (CAD) for a cable I am realistically going to use once.

Thanks for your help!
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Last edited by Ski-Free; 11-07-2018 at 10:57 AM.
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Old 11-09-2018, 03:32 PM   #2
CarmelValleyWRX
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i dont think the VAG cable will flash, only log. you need a tactrix+ ecuflash software to reflash the ECU. the best bet might be to go to a shop with a smoke test to find leaks in the fuel tank and related plumbing. you can also hook a few psi to the tank and listen for leaks in the hoses around the charcoal canister.
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Old 11-09-2018, 04:03 PM   #3
Ski-Free
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarmelValleyWRX View Post
i dont think the VAG cable will flash, only log. you need a tactrix+ ecuflash software to reflash the ECU. the best bet might be to go to a shop with a smoke test to find leaks in the fuel tank and related plumbing. you can also hook a few psi to the tank and listen for leaks in the hoses around the charcoal canister.
Hmmm I heard some success stories from guys with different cars so I figured I would just buy the cable cause it's 15$ and see (better than the 250$ CAD the Tactrix costs).

Also it's not a leak it's an issue with the purge solenoid signal not being sent from the ECU (according to the shop).

Last edited by Ski-Free; 11-09-2018 at 08:12 PM.
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Old 11-10-2018, 06:34 PM   #4
CarmelValleyWRX
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i dont think any suby can be flashed on a vag com. maybe a VW golf can...
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Old 11-10-2018, 06:48 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarmelValleyWRX View Post
i dont think any suby can be flashed on a vag com. maybe a VW golf can...

Ummm

https://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1957740&styleid=1
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Old 11-10-2018, 08:54 PM   #6
CarmelValleyWRX
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huh.. cool. didnt know that was figured out. but to me i would rather spend a few bucks on the tactrix than risk bricking my ecu being a pioneer of VAG com flashing. especially my jdm ecu...

since you have an NA car alot less people will have messed around with flashing already so you might be on your own figuring out how to get it done.

you may be able to find a fellow NASIOC person with a tactrix. if you want to drive to CA you can borrow mine
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Old 11-10-2018, 10:56 PM   #7
Ski-Free
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Yah it’s quite the pickle haha if I had a turbo car I’d have no issue with the Tactrix but hard to justify 250$ just to flash away one code...

Good idea, I’ll see if there’s any Alberta folks out there!
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Old 11-19-2018, 04:46 PM   #8
kharmicresonance
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Yes, ecuflash can flash 32bit subaru ecu's over vag-com cable. Plenty of people have done it, including myself. 2004 forester XT.

NA is your road block.

I do recall that there are 1 or 2 shops in the US that can do NA ecu flashing, but they are proprietary, you buy an identical ecu off of ebay/craigslist and send it in so you can keep your original.

Still not cheap, It will set you back about 500 between the ecu, shipping, and flashing.
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Old 11-19-2018, 04:48 PM   #9
Ski-Free
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Doesn’t RomRaider list the 2.5 NA as supported on their website?

I just wanna get rid of this purge valve code...

Quote:
Originally Posted by kharmicresonance View Post
Yes, ecuflash can flash 32bit subaru ecu's over vag-com cable. Plenty of people have done it, including myself. 2004 forester XT.

NA is your road block.

I do recall that there are 1 or 2 shops in the US that can do NA ecu flashing, but they are proprietary, you buy an identical ecu off of ebay/craigslist and send it in so you can keep your original.

Still not cheap, It will set you back about 500 between the ecu, shipping, and flashing.
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Old 04-11-2019, 09:31 PM   #10
MotoTraverse.com
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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just flashed my 2005 outback with an XPT stage 1 rom with this vag-com. I used the newest version of ecuflash, did not add any definitions.

I tried 2 other vag-com cables. It's all about the chipset. It must be ft232bl not ft232rl or ch340. Both the other 2 vag-com chipsets can log but not flash, and they were both listed as having the ft232bl chipset, but only the amazon one really had it.

Good luck!
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