Vagcom Software

[nicebutdim]

Hi, I've had a look through as many posts as I can to find an answer to this, but can't find alot for it. Basically my fault light is flashing, so I've obtained a laptop and ordered a usb to obd lead from ebay. The problem I'm having is which software version do I download from rosstech? I know it's the version 409.1 (I think) but there is three different downloads under this. Sorry if the answer is really obvious, I'm not great at anything pc related! Has anyone downloaded any of the versions, and if so, which one works? I have a galaxy mk1, late 2000 tdi, and the lead is just usb to the obd connector. Many thanks for your help.

[Ginettamad]

Hi, I've had a look through as many posts as I can to find an answer to this, but can't find alot for it. Basically my fault light is flashing, so I've obtained a laptop and ordered a usb to obd lead from ebay. The problem I'm having is which software version do I download from rosstech? I know it's the version 409.1 (I think) but there is three different downloads under this. Sorry if the answer is really obvious, I'm not great at anything pc related! Has anyone downloaded any of the versions, and if so, which one works? I have a galaxy mk1, late 2000 tdi, and the lead is just usb to the obd connector. Many thanks for your help.

[Ginettamad]

Which light is flashing ABS? I bought a lead and it came with software but its not very good as it wont let you make changes. i wanted to activate a cruise control but it wont let me possibly as the plug has very few pins in it?

It does allow a fault search but it may not let you re set things so ask before you buy.

Harvey

[nicebutdim]

Hi Harvey, I'm just after fault diagnosing, it's the coil light flashing, so engine or electrical related. I'm lucky enough to have quite a base model galaxy, I say lucky as I have less to go wrong! lol. I've heard it could be the brake pedal switch, but as I'm now learning it's worth having some form of diagnostic unit as I know as soon as I've rectified this problem something else will decide it wants some attention! Many Thanks, Tim

[gregers]

so IS IT the bulb failer light stuck on and the glow plug light thats flashing????

 

then your right it could just be the brake switch needs replacing,check your rear brake lights are working.

if it is the switch get it from vw dealer less then half the price of fords,

 

afaik any of the free software will only allow you to do certain things you have to pay to get the full version that allows you to do alot more.

[nicebutdim]

Lead and software came today! loaded all drivers and software onto my laptop, diagnosed car and it is the brake light switch! Also came up with an internal fault with the ecu, something about a rom fault, meant to get the code but the software stopped working and that was the only time I've now been able to interrogate it! Every time I try to get into the fault reading page on vagcom the program stops responding, AAARRRGGGGHHHHHHH! I've heard that it doesn't work too well with vista, and I've tried running it in compatibility mode for xp, but it still won't work and now I can't even remove the program to try reinstalling it. Anyway, regarding the brake light switch: I've studied the haynes manual wiring diagrams, and found out checking the brake lights won't always tell the full story, the switch has two switches within it, 1 tells the rear stop lights to come on, the other is attached to the ecu and tells it when the brakes are applied so it can adjust fueling and the such as required! It's this second switch which causes so many of our headaches. And just to make things more fun, apparently some models are fitted with one to the clutch pedal too. If anyone has had any probs running vagcom on vista and has resolved it, please let me know........! Thanks to everyone who's helped so far, this site is invaluable.

[gregers]

there is a post on vag com in the faqs in the tech section,dunno if its to do with xp or vista.

do they not do a vista version of vag???

[JDHogg]

I guess Vista version is available but costs $$$ - which is the reason we bought from EBay in the first place.

 

Like above, I've also had problems with it on Vista - for me, it seems to be problem with port allocation by the software. Uninstalling probably won't help as some config is done (by Plug n' Play) when the cable is first installed - should be possible to remove this but first need to be sure what port is being used.

 

If the software itself won't uninstall then it could be that Vista has a service running in the background. Sometimes software manufacturers create background services so that the software automatically recognises connections and starts up faster. (IMHO, this is over-abused by software manufacturers and contributes to slow PC startup etc but that's another discussion!)

Anyhow, to uninstall (assuming what I've said is correct), you first need to kill the aforementioned service, or start the PC in safe mode. You could try that first.

 

I'll check out vagcom and see if there's any specific advice there. I'll also try and see what services may be installed and how best to shut them down (May take me a while tho as I've a scheduled power outage today).

If anyone else has already been through this, then I'd also be glad to hear how they resolved the software issues.

[big_kev]

Are you sure the problem is with vagcom ?

If your running it as Admin ( xp compatibility mode may help )

 

Vista has major issues with usb to serial adapters and this is more likely to be the problem.

It took me ages to find a driver for mine that Vista was reasonably happy with.

 

It keeps losing the serial port and this really upsets Vagcom ( same as if you unplug it while its talking to the ECU ).

[nicebutdim]

Right, I've got it working now (touch wood). done some google searches on different parts of the problems I was having, and the answers were always within ross-tech's faqs! Your right, vagcom does need to be run in compatibility mode for xp, but also the initial folder that the files are saved in also make a difference. Apparently most people have had success by doing the following:

First connect the cable but don't let vista search for the drivers, you'll need to look under connected hardware in control panel and find the lead on the list and load the drivers from where you know they work. Mine were on the software disc that came with the lead, and were specific to it for vista.

Secondly load the vagcom software, don't let it install under program files, place it under C:\Ross-Tech\VAG-COM\. Then, when you have a icon to right click on for the program, change to run in compatibility mode for xp (sp2) and ensure run as administrator is ticked.

You'll need to change the port settings for the cable to a free one between 1 and 4 under the advanced port settings and then test that when you run vag-com.

I hope this gives a brief outline to anyone who has any trouble with vagcom on vista and hope it can help, but don't forget it may not work for all. Now vag-com has found a fault with the ROM memory on the ecu, I sigh with no surprise and prepare to watch my wallet shrink yet again for this car! Thanks to you all for your help, it really is much appreciated.

[gregers]

right dunno wether this will work on vista,but the very detailed instructions given by johnr.i followed them when i had probs and it does seem to work.these are found in the faqs.

http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...amp;#entry84798

 

follow them to the letter as john has mentioned because your going into the settings,SO VERY EASILY FUBARED :rolleyes: .if you forget what youve done.

[nicebutdim]

Well, got vagcom working, then had washing machine pack up first thing this morning, beyond repair, so went to get another. While in car park bloody selector cable popped off ball on gearbox and left me with only 3rd, 4th and occasionally reverse. great fun pulling away from lights and nice smelly clutch! Can't believe I've now gotta replace all the cables because one small socket feels like it doesn't want to be married to a ball anymore! Will the repairs ever end? I know it's gonna be like painting the forth bridge, once everything is replaced it'll be time to start again! lol. Many thanks to you for your help, I'm sure I'll be back on here again soon looking for some more advice. Cheers to everyone for their help.

[Andy J]

On Vista - Install VAG COM into a folder on desktop (instead of Program files) then run it by right-clicking on the app inside this folder and click `run as administrator`.

It's apparently due to vista not allowing the software write files to the `program files` folder.

This works with mine.

 

Andy.

 

 

Lead and software came today! loaded all drivers and software onto my laptop, diagnosed car and it is the brake light switch! Also came up with an internal fault with the ecu, something about a rom fault, meant to get the code but the software stopped working and that was the only time I've now been able to interrogate it! Every time I try to get into the fault reading page on vagcom the program stops responding, AAARRRGGGGHHHHHHH! I've heard that it doesn't work too well with vista, and I've tried running it in compatibility mode for xp, but it still won't work and now I can't even remove the program to try reinstalling it. Anyway, regarding the brake light switch: I've studied the haynes manual wiring diagrams, and found out checking the brake lights won't always tell the full story, the switch has two switches within it, 1 tells the rear stop lights to come on, the other is attached to the ecu and tells it when the brakes are applied so it can adjust fueling and the such as required! It's this second switch which causes so many of our headaches. And just to make things more fun, apparently some models are fitted with one to the clutch pedal too. If anyone has had any probs running vagcom on vista and has resolved it, please let me know........! Thanks to everyone who's helped so far, this site is invaluable.

[fclauson]

quick tip - if you have Vista - you can always build a virtual machine of XP - go to either www.vmware.com - check out vmware player - this will allow you to build a machine within a machine

 

very hand for any kind of testing of s/w etc