Programming a Saab

I use the term "Programming" loosely here because I am not talking about Programming in the true sense of the word (writing code that is compiled and run on a chipset).

I am really referring to the use of software so that you can tune and make settings adjustments to the car's software components. 

The Saab has several control units, such as the Engine Control Unit (ECU) - sometimes also referred to as an Engine Control Module (ECM).  General Motors, who made the Saab 9-3 as a joint venture after taking over the auto division of Saab, uses a device called a Tech II  to pull codes, run diagnostics and adjust settings on the cars. These Tech IIs are handheld devices that interface with the OBD connector (which is under the dashboard in most car models). 

The OBD connectors, these are fairly standard, which allows you to drive the car into just about any auto store (Advanced Auto, O'Reilly, Autozone, et al) and they can plug an OBD reader in and get the codes, look them up and make recommendations (and or sell parts which is why they do this as a courtesy).

Since they don't make Saabs anymore, there is no US-based network of dealerships, and mechanics are disappearing fast - only a handful of Saab shops are left operating, and some of them are simply individuals who work on Saabs for various reasons (restoring them, extra cash, etc). So having an OBD reader is certainly helpful if you buy or own a Saab, because you will DEFINITELY need to learn to do some things on your own (most garages won't even a Saab enter their engine bays). 

Buying a Tech II device, which has the Saab software module (PCMCIA card), is almost necessary if you're hardcore into your Saab. But they're expensive. And hard to find, actually. When they pop up on places like eBay, they get snatched up pretty quick by enthusiasts, restorers, mechanics etc. Also, the Tech II devices interface with laptop software, and there are two kinds: TIS2000, and a newer version called TISWeb. This link discusses these laptop software packages:

https://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?t=123074

But ... if you cannot get a Tech II device, there is another way to skin the cat!

You see, software is software. And you don't "need" a handheld device as a host for the software. Any laptop will do, if you have the software! Fortunately, someone (Saab?) released the software in open source. You can download and run it. Not the source code I don't think, but the compiled X86 program that will run on a Windows laptop with an installer that sets it up.  But - how do you interface it with the car? There is a cable you can buy, called OBDLink SX. One side is OBD, the other side of it is USB and plugs into the laptop (more on this later).

Now - all this said - you DO need to know what you're doing with this software. Or you can brick the car! But if you learn how to use this software, you can reset faults, run diagnostics, and you can even swap car components and re-flash them (i.e. the ECU). Many Saab parts, believe it or not, are tied to the VIN and you cannot just pull them off of one Saab and stick them on another without running this kind of software.

Lastly, the software. If you don't have a Tech II or can't afford one or can't find one, there is some software called the Trionic Can Flasher (trioniccanflasher). With this, you can flash a new ECU if the one on your Saab went bad - provided you can follow steps.

For example, the steps for cloning a Trionic 8 ecu are as follows:

1: start trioniccanflasher, select T8 and your interface (which corrresponds to the serial port on laptop)

2: read ecu content from the original ecu

3: select t8 mcp and read ecu again

4: switch to the new ecu

5: make sure legion bootloader and unlock sys partitions are checked

6: select t8 mcp and flash that

7: select t8 and flash that

Now - what if you are on a workbench, say at a Saab garage with ten cars that need ECUs, and you don't want to deal with the laptop and getting in and out of the car(s)? There is a different interface you can use where one connector plugs into the ECUs and the other end on the laptop (AEZ Flasher 2?). Honestly, I am not savvy about this yet and don't even know what interface this is (but will update this post once I do).

NOTE: GM makes a software called Tech2Win. I hear that this software does not work with the OBDLink SX cable - but cannot verify this at this time of writing. UPDATE: Indeed it did not work, but someone somehow went in and patched the software and apparently now it DOES work - but only with the MDI 1 (not MDI 2) clone cable adaptor.

https://www.saabcentral.com/threads/tech2win-for-saab-fixes-i-bus-missing-on-2003-9-3.731283/