Where do I buy VCDS?

[jasontaylor7]

I have an emergency brake error and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqbLIJHh28Y says I need software to service the emergency brake. He is using VCDS. I went to ebay and the units were inexpensive, like under $10, but ?all? of them seem to say this:

VAG-COM OBD 409.1 for VW Audi Seat USB KKL Scanner VCDS Diagnostic OBD2 II Cable
Description:
Primary Function: USB Vag-Com interface cable
OBDII Plug: J1962 16-Pin Male (to Car)
Operating Software Compatibility: Windows 98SE / ME / 2000 / NT and XP.
Supports terminal (K) bus communication
Terminal (L) ignition for waking up car computing system (ECU) engine control unit
Has 3 different protocols with same OBD2 connector including ISO/KWP, VPW, PMW.
Refer to your car user manual or check with your car dealer or local mechanic whether your car is compatible with this product.
Compatible Vehicles: Volkswagen, Audi, skoda, seat:
Audi Models:
- Compatible: A2 / A3 / A4 Cabriolet / A6 / A8 / S2 / S3 / TT
- Not Compatible: 80 / 100 / 200 / A3(8P) / A4(B7) / A6(C6/4F) / A8 / A8L(D3/4E) / Q7

So, where I do I get the software + cable I need to do this job? I went to see if there was a sticky here on this, but to my shock didn't see anything.

[iconic_eric]

Google Ross tech VAGCOM and that should direct you to the appropriate pages.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[schaefer921]

the OG https://www.ross-tech.com/

[jasontaylor7]

Not too expensive. Not too cheap, either. It seems there was a reference to older versions of the software. I wonder if those are out there on the dark web. Anyway, thanks Iconic_eric and Schaefer.

[jasontaylor7]

To anyone reading:

I was able to get the chinese clone called vag con pro for $20. It works fine now, but it didn't work on xp and I needed to fiddle with the install a few dozen times. (Yes, dozen.) It did eventually work on Windows 7 after I downloaded some software off of the internet for it even though it cam with a software+driver cd.

[valet]

I bought a ebay vcds cable like 8+ years ago and rocked it for like 4 months and then had an airbag fault on a mk4 jetta. Read bad things about logging into airbag module with an ebay cable (like accidentally setting off airbag when using vcds and since I'm usually sitting in driver seat with laptop in my lap = no good) so went legit. Bought a key2 or what ever version the cables worked on for cars <2005 and used that for a few years. Then upgraded to hex+can (and sent cable back to ross-tech and paid upgrade fee) for unlimited vin. Not sure if it works on 2019 models, but worked on wife's 2018 q3 a mom's 2018 a8l.

Tl:dr it may be worth it to find an unlimited vin hex+can cable as these ones do pretty much everything you can think of

[jasontaylor7]

Well Valet, being a new-to-me owner of this audi, my first task was getting the block 93 #s to see if it's even a keeper or not. Now that I got them, I will consider upgrading if there's a strong need, but for now I'm really happy both to learn my scanner works and that all the oKWs under idle are under 6, whatever an oKW is. Not sure if it's an angle or some other measurement. If anyone knows share!

[SFI]

It’s the phase angle relative to the crank. Degrees Kerblewinkle or something like that (German for phase angle).

It’s just a measure of how far out of time the cams are relative to zero, which would be perfectly in time with the crank.

[MSq5]

Just spend the $199 for the real Ross-Tech VCDS unit and software. That gets you service on up to three VW/Audi Group vehicles and lifetime updates in the software. It will work with 100% reliability on present and future Windows computers, laptops and tablets.

You’ll be glad you did. Diagnostic, logging, monitoring of all systems and sensors, and convenience feature adjustability are almost endless.

Data logs are exportable in common .csv format for use in spreadsheets, graphs and other programs that use that format such as Virtual Dyno. This is also the standard logging format used by most tuners and for diagnostic support by other users on this and other forums.

Many vendors offer it with free shipping.

[G-Can]

way to expensive considering u r limited to 3 cars. So pretty much useless except for private purpose. And who ever changes cars often or has multiple vehicles .... will very quickly run out. I have 2 Audis and a vw.. now Im selling one... when I get another one, Im out of licenses. Or Im getting something wrong here?

Any decent chinese copy will work just fine. my 2cents.

[Audi 4 Life]

X2, Ross tech definitely stay away from the knock offs people who buy that shit are are morons and either dont know use the tool or just simply dont know what their talking about.

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[jasontaylor7]

Does either one let you raise the cold start idle rpm to combat death rattle due to weak springs on the timing chain tensioners?

Alternatively, does either one let me lower the stationary rev limiter to be 3000 rpm instead of 4000 rpm?

Does either one let me upgrade the transmission so it shifts smoother? (See https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...n-oil-question . )

Does either one let you adjust the ac over pressure limit disable "feature"?

Does either one let you adjust thermostat?

Does either one let you have the fog lights and brights on at the same time?

Does either one let's you have valet parking / car rental safety piece of mind of lowering the HGB (Höchstgeschwindigkeit Geregelte Begrenzung) i.e. the speed limiter? (Yes despite the lies that I'm some bumb I do go to black tie events where that's the only parking available.) It says no here ( https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/fa...cds/index.html ):

"1.12 Can I use VAG-COM to "Flash" the chip in my ECU?
No, we have investigated flashing, but found that there are several different methods of
encryption for various VW/Audi vehicles, as well as delicate licensing issues to overcome.
Therefore, we do not intend to pursue flashing any further at this time. You cannot alter
boost, timing, fueling, rev limiter, or speed limiter with VAG-COM. You should contact a
chiptuner if you wish to have those parameters altered."

and yes here ( https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/tdi.html ):

"Channel 2: idle speed

No login required
The stock adaptation value should be 32768 (corresponds to 903 rpm).
Increase or decrease this to change idle speed. ... Channel 18:

On some EDC-15 ECUs, this channel has a non-zero value in it like 190.
Yes, that's the "speed limiter". Don't mess with it!
It can only be adjusted downward, and it's one-way! You cannot increase the value, and if you decrease it, you're stuck with it.
So unless you want to permanently decrease your car's top speed, Don't mess with it!
If you do mess with it and your car ends up with a lower top speed than it had before, don't call us, don't e-mail us, and don't complain that we didn't warn you!"

It can only be adjusted downwards? Obviously there's some controlling software that we don't have access to. It's either in vag com or the car. My guess: the car. No, it's not both encryption and licensing issues. It's probably neither. It's more likely pressure from the powers that be, the same faction that is likely to neuter this thread in 3 2 1

Does either with one let you "own" the car and have control over the real software?

My guess is that neither one really let's you change the things the auto makers don't like ppl to mess with, but that both programs would work if we could get the passwords, logins, and codes required. See, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...com+login+code .

[MSq5]

Does either one let you raise the cold start idle rpm to combat death rattle due to weak springs on the timing chain tensioners?

Alternatively, does either one let me lower the stationary rev limiter to be 3000 rpm instead of 4000 rpm?

Does either one let me upgrade the transmission so it shifts smoother? (See https://www.audizine.com/forum/showt...n-oil-question . )

Does either one let you adjust the ac over pressure limit disable "feature"?

Does either one let you adjust thermostat?

Does either one let you have the fog lights and brights on at the same time?

Does either one let's you have valet parking / car rental safety piece of mind of lowering the HGB (Höchstgeschwindigkeit Geregelte Begrenzung) i.e. the speed limiter? (Yes despite the lies that I'm some bumb I do go to black tie events where that's the only parking available.) It says no here ( https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/fa...cds/index.html ):

"1.12 Can I use VAG-COM to "Flash" the chip in my ECU?
No, we have investigated flashing, but found that there are several different methods of
encryption for various VW/Audi vehicles, as well as delicate licensing issues to overcome.
Therefore, we do not intend to pursue flashing any further at this time. You cannot alter
boost, timing, fueling, rev limiter, or speed limiter with VAG-COM. You should contact a
chiptuner if you wish to have those parameters altered."

and yes here ( https://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/tdi.html ):

"Channel 2: idle speed

No login required
The stock adaptation value should be 32768 (corresponds to 903 rpm).
Increase or decrease this to change idle speed. ... Channel 18:

On some EDC-15 ECUs, this channel has a non-zero value in it like 190.
Yes, that's the "speed limiter". Don't mess with it!
It can only be adjusted downward, and it's one-way! You cannot increase the value, and if you decrease it, you're stuck with it.
So unless you want to permanently decrease your car's top speed, Don't mess with it!
If you do mess with it and your car ends up with a lower top speed than it had before, don't call us, don't e-mail us, and don't complain that we didn't warn you!"

It can only be adjusted downwards? Obviously there's some controlling software that we don't have access to. It's either in vag com or the car. My guess: the car. No, it's not both encryption and licensing issues. It's probably neither. It's more likely pressure from the powers that be, the same faction that is likely to neuter this thread in 3 2 1

Does either with one let you "own" the car and have control over the real software?

My guess is that neither one really let's you change the things the auto makers don't like ppl to mess with, but that both programs would work if we could get the passwords, logins, and codes required. See, e.g., https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...com+login+code .

There are thousands of useful things that the Ross-Tech VCDS VAGCOM can do. And the robust diagnostic and troubleshooting capabilities alone are invaluable. Just knowing the data from a single scan alone, after an issue arises, pays for itself I if it saves you one trip to a dealer or repair shop.

$199 is an extremely affordable and reasonable price considering what it can do, rather than focusing on what Audi will not let it do. If someone can’t spare the cost of one new tire to diagnose and maintain up to three vehicles, they bought the wrong car(s).

If you want ECU or TCU tuning, there are other software options for that. I am EPL stage 2 dual pulley tuned for the engine and I self-tune the ZF8 with HP Tuners cable and software. Those ECU and TCU software codes are sophisticated and have taken specialty companies like these years to crack. You are not going to get that capability and the R&D it took to obtain it for $20 and Chinese intellectual technology theft or built into a real Ross-Tech cable.