Vag-com Lead

[Thicko]

I bought a vag-com lead off ebay for less than

[dave_m]

Have a look through this demo all the shareware and unregistered limitations are at the bottom of each page of the demo

 

Ross Tech VAG COM Online Tour

 

Also the cheaper leads may not protect the cars electronics/Management system in the event of a faullt with the PC or Lead.

[Thicko]

I read all that stuff before I bought the lead but it's hard to translate it into actual examples. What actual faults will I not be able to correct without registering? The comment about a fault with the PC or lead sounds like real scare mongering. It reminds me of people who say don't buy a second hand child car seat because it may have been involved in a horrific crash and have an internal hair line fracture with no apparent external damage whatsoever.

[mumof4]

AH Thicko..good on you..i got the piss ripped out of me when i suggested hooking up my pc coz i didnt have a lappy!!. :D ..glad i wasnt the only one to think of it. :D

[Masked Marauder]

I have VAG-COM and no lap-top. I hook it up with a 10 metre USB extension lead!

[mumof4]

good one MM......good to hear!! :huh:

[Rallim]

If I remember correctly with the unregistered version you can only look at one measurement at a time and cant use 'VAG-Scope' to trace measurements. The big limitation is you cant write codes to the modules, for instance, enabling cruise control, trailer light indicator etc.

 

Hope that adds a bit more light. I'm using an ebay serial lead, there would be nothing stopping you using a 10m serial extension I suppose....

 

Gordon

[PopDorset]

...there would be nothing stopping you using a 10m serial extension I suppose....

I have read recently that long usb leads can give problems with data transfer.

 

"Data starts petering out when transmitted through cables longer than 5m...If you must use long cables, buy an active extender or repeater cable. You'll find some online at www.askdirect.co.uk and other online outlets for around

[PopDorset]

If I remember correctly with the unregistered version ... you can't write codes to the modules, for instance, enabling cruise control,... etc.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

(because I am on the verge of buying a VAG COM lead for this very reason and, if true, means no deal!!)

 

Pop

[Steven.Langdale]

You can't write stuff with the shareware version. But you can register it for $90/99 dollars and away you go.

 

I also got a "cheap" lead off ebay, and it works like a charm!

 

Steven

[PopDorset]

Thanks for that SL!

:D

[morticiaskeeper]

So do I get a USB or Serial lead?

 

My laptop has both, the serial on the docking station, but I prefer using USB. But other sites say there have been problems with USB.

 

So what type do you have?

[Steven.Langdale]

I got a USB one, it works fine with my laptop (Dell D610) and version 409-1 of VAG-COM.

 

Steven

[Jeff115]

So do I get a USB or Serial lead?

 

My laptop has both, the serial on the docking station, but I prefer using USB.  But other sites say there have been problems with USB.

 

So what type do you have?

VAG-COM 409-1 with both:

 

USB from lap-top now and

did use with desktop and 10-meter serial connection extension

 

- all worked fine :D

Regards,

Jeff.

 

btw you may have a problem with the 'desktop' solution if you're attempting some runnin measurements/ tests while in motion :(

[Big Jim's Lad]

I may sound a bit thick :huh: , but does Vag Com work on Non VW engine models.

I have a 2.0 litre which I thought would be Ford engine management system, I would love to find out if my problem with lumply idling is just a bad connection of a sensor of some kind.....

Cheers

[Rallim]

VAG-COM is designed for the vw engines, the VR6, TDI's, Sharan 2.0 & 1.8T; but NOT the Galaxy 2.0 or 2.3 which are a Ford units as you stated.

 

There maybe some OBDII functionality that may work but this is beyond my knowledge (which isnt difficult :huh:)... I'm sure somebody else might know!

I've got an OBDII piece of software for my PocketPC which should read faults and measurements but I haven't really tried it yet.

 

Gordon

[stairforce]

I may sound a bit thick :huh: , but does Vag Com work on Non VW engine models.

I have a 2.0 litre which I thought would be Ford engine management system, I would love to find out if my problem with lumply idling is just a bad connection of a sensor of some kind.....

Cheers

I have a 2.3 Galaxy, which is most definitely a Ford engine (not offered in Sharan or Alhambra). Vag-com works FINE with the 2.3 Galaxy EXCEPT the engine management system, which runs the engine very nicely on petrol or LPG, but does not talk to Vag-com. I acquired vag-com to investigate an auto-box problem (now resolved - new transmission control unit :huh: ).

[Big Jim's Lad]

Is there a way I can interrogate the ford system then? ;)