Tune Cables vs VCDS Cable?

[Daavikes]

Can someone clear up a question on cable connections needed for ECU tuning from the the various companies that allow flash at home(EPL, 034, etc)? Can the VCDS cable be used or is each company have a proprietary cable which must be purchased through them?

[Aries_27]

Can someone clear up a question on cable connections needed for ECU tuning from the the various companies that allow flash at home(EPL, 034, etc)? Can the VCDS cable be used or is each company have a proprietary cable which must be purchased through them?

Each company has their own that you would have to purchase from whichever one you decide to go with


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[djn876]

The protocols (how it's going to communicate with the car) for a VCDS cable are different than the flashing cables (more than likely). Depending on the company, the flashing cables may just be rebranded versions of the same thing, but couldn't tell you which ones. I'm up to 3 now, one for TCU, one for ECU and one for VCDS.

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[Daavikes]

Thanks! Had some misinformation that I could use my VCDS cable and save some money.

[MSq5]

Thanks! Had some misinformation that I could use my VCDS cable and save some money.

For what it is worth, EPL has multiple cable options. For instance, I had a J2534 bi-directional OBD-II cable used with a different diagnostic and tuning software program. It is often called "Mongoose" or "MiniVCI" and is used by many different kinds of diagnostic equipment. It is an EPL option, so I didn't need to buy or rent a cable. New ones are less than $50.

But, RossTech VCDS will not work with any flash at home tunes to my knowledge.