I've got a 1992 Subaru Sambar KV3. I was told that there's an OBD1 port under the dash but I can't find it. Any info will be appreciated. Thanks!
The supercharged and EFI models have an orange diagnostic connector directly behind/below the fuse box to the left of the steering column. It only uses Subaru Select Monitor signaling, which is pre-OBDII. Carbed models have no connector, since the engine is purely mechanical and has no computer.
Groovy. Do you know if the Subaru Select Monitor is still available? The Check Engine light is on. I can probably figure it out without a reader...but it would make it a little easier. Thanks!
Also, do you have any idea what the other dangling connectors in the photo are for? 2 Green and 2 Black.
The green ones Subaru used to use as putting it into some sort of diagnostic mode. I'm a little fuzzy about it since it's pretty old school, but they were always green and they don't use that green 2 plug connector anywhere else in their vehicles
The SSM can be found on eBay from time to time, but you need to find one with the appropriate cartridge for the Sambar, which is nearly impossible nowadays.
This work like the paper clip trick with the OBD-1 GM TBI year vehicles where you can watch the dash light blink?
I'm going to talk with my brother in law in Japan to see if he can source a diagnostic scanner (Subaru select). He has a auto shop straight across the street from him in Fujieda.
The units available here and those over in Japan are the same. If you can find a Subaru Select Monitor 2 on eBay along with the 24082AA080 "-97 All Models" cartridge (it has an orange label), then it will read a Supercharged/EFI Sambar. There was a set available about a month ago that included the correct cartridge for $500. Otherwise, if you cannot find one with the US cartridge, they Japanese version of the cartridge is still available but are quite spendy: https://www.japanparts.com/parts/detail/?id=66631. The Japanese cartridge does have english text, I believe the only difference between the US 080 and the Japanese 060 cartridge is the label itself. Keep in mind that the SSM only works on Supercharged and NA-EFI models. Carby models do not have a computer so there is nothing to scan.
With the old GM OBD-1 you can jump A-B ports with a paper clip and grab codes by watching the SES light blink. Is this possible on the Sambars?
