Third party VAG-COM

[nicklay]

Hi everybody, I'm was lookking on other category before posting but I haven't found the right category for my question, so I ended up here. My question is quite simple, how you setup to make sur to use a third party VAG-COM adapter to work with any ross-tech software, what is their differences. First I'm pretty sur that I'm not the only one who wonder about that. Here is what I heard and did. Mine was bought on eBay and came with a demo version of VAG-COM 409.1. I try everything to install it on a Windows 7 laptop, nothing succeed so I build up a vm using XP and it installed like a charm. I loaded the software, and test in the option, he found the interface. Then I try programming the Remote Windows but when I clicked on "46-Central Conv." He started loading, loaded two information and then said "Too many connection error", so I tried disabling the Seatbelt chime, everything worked fine. So I searched on the internet and found the changing the 16ms response to 12ms solved the problem but it didn't.

SO ! I'm wondering if any of you have tips to help use the VAG-COM, I'm not a big badass using this so I need some advice. I checked for the original ross-tech but they aren't given.... So if you can help, it'll be pretty awesome.

Thank you so much hope you'll be able to help

[texasboy21]

Dont use the cable's vagcom software, instead download the software from the Ross-Tech website. Then spend $99 and get a licenses "lite" version.

http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCDSLiteReg.html

[nicklay]

I read that the cable isn't compatible with VCDS Lite 1.1 and later, should I search for the 1.0 ?

[texasboy21]

I read that the cable isn't compatible with VCDS Lite 1.1 and later, should I search for the 1.0 ?

You should get a new cable!

[Charles.waite]

What cable do you have?

[nicklay]

I bought This eBay cable. And this one is BRAND new, but you guys have other suggestion except the high cost ross-tech cable, feel free to let me know.

[Myst420]

That cable looks exactly like mine does (whether it is or not, I can't say) but mine works perfectly with VCDS lite. I would download the free version and try it.

[Charles.waite]

That cable looks exactly like mine does (whether it is or not, I can't say) but mine works perfectly with VCDS lite. I would download the free version and try it.

This. The description explicitly says it DOES work with vcds lite.

[nicklay]

I will try a VCDS version a friend gave to me and the lite version and be back with the results as soon as possible, thank y'all for your help !

[nicklay]

Here it is guys, ain't working even with the vcds-lite, it detect the interface but everytime i try to access any of the module it says too many connections error, i have also try enabling my DRL but it half work, i can click on Recode but he'll end up by saying too many connection error, did y'all serioisly think it could be te cable?

[maurizio]

use vagcom 409.1

[nicklay]

I used it, I tried Vagcom 409.1 and VCDS Lite always the same "too many communication error". But as I said, i was able to disable Seatbelt Chime, and I was soon able to change the language (I was not because it's not a registred version). When I try enabling DRL, it enter the menu after i clicked on "Cent. Elect" but 5 seconde after even if i do something or nothing it end up with the same message. I don't know if it could be the cable, or a bad configuration, I will try tonight using a real machine (not a vm) and be back with results, if you have any idea, feel free !

[Myst420]

I'm thinking its a bad cable, unless there's something wrong with your control module. Is your car having any issues at all?

[03a4b6ztk]

Bad cable, I had one of those too, mine was falsely listed as having the correct chip to work. Mine never would work, it went to the trash.

[SJorge3442]

I'd like to pick up one of these cheap cables for just tackling the basic Vagcom mods. I'd like to know which seller sells a cable that will let me do the chime,DRL, and window remote mods. Thats basically all I want to do

[texasboy21]

Im all for saving money, but the issues you are facing are exactly why I ditched my ebay cables and went with a real cable from Ross Tech.

I can use it on my friend's newer VWs and Audis, and best of all it ALWAYS works! VGDS is arguably the best tool an Audi owner could have, might as well get the 'good one' right?

[Myst420]

Im all for saving money, but the issues you are facing are exactly why I ditched my ebay cables and went with a real cable from Ross Tech.

I can use it on my friend's newer VWs and Audis, and best of all it ALWAYS works! VGDS is arguably the best tool an Audi owner could have, might as well get the 'good one' right?

I agree the genuine cable is the way to go....but when the budget doesn't allow it, a decent ebay cable will do the job. I've had mine for over 5 years, and have never had a problem with it. I use it on an old laptop running XP. I did buy the license from Ross-Tech, so when I do decide to get a real cable, it will be discounted $100.

I will look up my ebay account and see if I can find the seller I bough it from.

Edit: Apparently Ebay only goes back 3 years....but the cable I have looks very close to this one

[g huns]

I just bought this cable on Ebay...

El-Cheapo Cable

They have sold over a thousand of them so hopefully it's not total shit.

I have an old beater Toshiba laptop that refuses to die that runs XP so we'll see how it works.

[RDA990]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago. Works 50/50. I can do everything (Windows, Remote Program, etc.) EXCEPT for logging measuring blocks. As soon as I try to measure blocks, the program starts to freeze up and just says "Too many connections to communicate" or something like that.

I'm majoring in computer science and have tried everything possible to make this work, but had no luck. I've ran it in a Vista environment and even in virtual XP mode (Through Windows 7) and the same thing happens every time, I can connect and do a couple of things, but when it comes to logging it just doesn't work. The program occasionally freezes as well. I've also tried to turn down the connection speed to 12 bits and still kept giving me communication errors. Tried VCDS 3xxx, 4xx, and even lite and still same results. I've concluded that it's either the cable we are using, or the serial emulator it uses. Surprisingly, I've found out that ORIGINAL/REAL Vag-Com cables have this problem as well (There's a page with info on their website).

I bought one earlier this week which is coming in today, I'll see if that one freezes or if its the same junk I bought a couple of months ago.

I just bought this cable on Ebay...

El-Cheapo Cable

That's the one I bought, coming in today so I'm hoping I can log with it, if not then I'll have to buy the real Vag-Com cable soon.



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[nicklay]

Thank you for all your answer, it's not impossible that the electric system has som problem but it would surprise me because when I did inspection of the car the guy said that he connect it to diagnose it and don't seems to report any weird working about it, only some bad sensor or some gadget like that. If, for supposing, it's the car, i could i know !? And also, the cable you bought look very close to mine, i'll buy another maybe only to try but i'm not sure if it worth it.

[SJorge3442]

I bought one of these a couple of months ago. Works 50/50. I can do everything (Windows, Remote Program, etc.) EXCEPT for logging measuring blocks. As soon as I try to measure blocks, the program starts to freeze up and just says "Too many connections to communicate" or something like that.

I'm majoring in computer science and have tried everything possible to make this work, but had no luck. I've ran it in a Vista environment and even in virtual XP mode (Through Windows 7) and the same thing happens every time, I can connect and do a couple of things, but when it comes to logging it just doesn't work. The program occasionally freezes as well. I've also tried to turn down the connection speed to 12 bits and still kept giving me communication errors. Tried VCDS 3xxx, 4xx, and even lite and still same results. I've concluded that it's either the cable we are using, or the serial emulator it uses. Surprisingly, I've found out that ORIGINAL/REAL Vag-Com cables have this problem as well (There's a page with info on their website).

I bought one earlier this week which is coming in today, I'll see if that one freezes or if its the same junk I bought a couple of months ago.



That's the one I bought, coming in today so I'm hoping I can log with it, if not then I'll have to buy the real Vag-Com cable soon.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 4

I'll wait to hear back from you then before I go ahead and order mine. Thanks for being the guinea pig

[03a4b6ztk]

Does anyone know if ross-tech will sell a known good cable, that does not have the key?

So they can guarantee it will work with lite? Or are they too stuck on selling the 350 version only?

[Matt Devo]

Does anyone know if ross-tech will sell a known good cable, that does not have the key?

So they can guarantee it will work with lite? Or are they too stuck on selling the 350 version only?

just buy the one ECS sells for $30, unless they are too corporate for you to support them

[nicklay]

I'll give THIS ONE a try, why ? Because I think he looks less cheaper (with led and shit) and he's close to me, so i'll have it sooner than a chinese one. Be right back with results when I'll receive it!

[03a4b6ztk]

just buy the one ECS sells for $30, unless they are too corporate for you to support them

Ehh I'm feeling kinda generous today.

[RDA990]

Thank you for all your answer, it's not impossible that the electric system has som problem

I'm 99.99% your controller/module/electronical system has a problem, it's the cable.

I'll wait to hear back from you then before I go ahead and order mine. Thanks for being the guinea pig

No problem, I should have results in about 5 hours.

just buy the one ECS sells for $30, unless they are too corporate for you to support them

Is that one specifically for VCDS lite? If so it should work with 3xx & 409.1 versions.

I'll give THIS ONE a try, why ? Because I think he looks less cheaper (with led and shit) and he's close to me, so i'll have it sooner than a chinese one. Be right back with results when I'll receive it!

That's not Vag-Com, it's just a USB ODBII cable.


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[nicklay]

Vag-com and OBD2 ain't compatible ?? God i was sure it was the same thing at least Audi was compatible

[Myst420]

Vag-com and OBD2 ain't compatible ?? God i was sure it was the same thing at least Audi was compatible

You can use an OBD2 cable with your audi and pull codes and some basic info, but vag-com / vcds will not work with a basic OBD2 cable.

[03a4b6ztk]

You can use an OBD2 cable with your audi and pull codes and some basic info, but vag-com / vcds will not work with a basic OBD2 cable.

BAM nailed that on the head!!!

[Matt Devo]

You can use an OBD2 cable with your audi and pull codes and some basic info, but vag-com / vcds will not work with a basic OBD2 cable.

but VCDS-Lite will, that's its whole purpose

[nicklay]

Ok, first that my first time playing with some toys like that, and I don't know everything... I've buy another cheap to test so I'll try both

[RDA990]

Sorry for the late reply guys. I have some good news and bad news.

Good news: The Vag-Com I received actually works, it even comes with drivers on a cd. I can view codes, do all the vag-com tricks, and even log blocks! (see bad news though).

Bad news: Its pretty technical to set up, if you don't have much computer experience you might get frustrated and just give up. Also, while I was logging 3 blocks (12 total boxes), the program started to freeze a lot, making logging impossible. If i'm only measuring 1 block (3 total boxes) it won't freeze unless you're logging for about 15 minutes. This is all YMMV, I made this work on a Windows 7 64-bit computer running XP virtual mode.

In the end, I think nothing will be better than getting the real deal Vag-Com, which I'm planning to get some day.

[g huns]

I just bought this cable on Ebay...

El-Cheapo Cable

They have sold over a thousand of them so hopefully it's not total shit.

I have an old beater Toshiba laptop that refuses to die that runs XP so we'll see how it works.

Worked like a champ. Installed drivers from the CD, downloaded VCDS-lite, plugged it in. Cleared that pesky air bag light. For the first time since I got it, my A4 dash is warning light free.

[texasboy21]

Also, while I was logging 3 blocks (12 total boxes), the program started to freeze a lot, making logging impossible. If i'm only measuring 1 block (3 total boxes) it won't freeze unless you're logging for about 15 minutes.

In the end, I think nothing will be better than getting the real deal Vag-Com, which I'm planning to get some day.

Even logging 3 parameters at once is not that many. Check out this "logging how-to" that APR has on their support site. They recommend 12 blocks simultaneously. Sounds like your cheap cable is difficult to setup, and kinda works, sorta. What a bargain!

http://www.goapr.com/support/datalogging.php

[SJorge3442]

Sorry for the late reply guys. I have some good news and bad news.

Good news: The Vag-Com I received actually works, it even comes with drivers on a cd. I can view codes, do all the vag-com tricks, and even log blocks! (see bad news though).

Bad news: Its pretty technical to set up, if you don't have much computer experience you might get frustrated and just give up. Also, while I was logging 3 blocks (12 total boxes), the program started to freeze a lot, making logging impossible. If i'm only measuring 1 block (3 total boxes) it won't freeze unless you're logging for about 15 minutes. This is all YMMV, I made this work on a Windows 7 64-bit computer running XP virtual mode.

In the end, I think nothing will be better than getting the real deal Vag-Com, which I'm planning to get some day.

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like I'll be ordering one today or tomorrow. What mods were you able to get done with it?

[Matt Devo]

Thanks for the heads up! Looks like I'll be ordering one today or tomorrow. What mods were you able to get done with it?

using a cable/software that struggles to log 3 measuring blocks simultaneously is a bad idea, as is using one that requires you to run it inside a virtual machine.

[Hugh@EuropaParts]

Just in case anyone wants to save themselves the trouble and get the real deal...

VAG-COM Diagnostic Tool with HEX-USB+CAN Interface

Essential for any Audi / Volkswagen owner, this VAG-COM cable and software will allow you to perform the same advanced computer diagnostics as your Authorized dealer. In addition, you will be able to perform various country-specific modifications to your car (removing seat belt chime, enabling gauge test/needle sweep, enabling lap timer, operating windows and sunroof with remote, and much more).

Works with all diagnostic-capable Audi / Volkswagen cars from 1990 through the current model year.
Acts as a "dongle" - activation for the full-function version of VCDS software is built-in!
Use VCDS software on any suitable PC with an available USB port - no activation codes required.
Bi-Color (red/green) status/activity LED.
12-month guarantee against defects.
Visit Ross-Tech's HEX-USB+CAN technical page for more information.
FREE standard ground shipping within the Continental United States! Inexpensive Next Day Air and International shipping is available at checkout.