Hey everyone,

I am new to the forum and have been reading on many of the threads for tips and tricks and so forth. Thanks all for those.

In a lot of the posts there is mention of VAG COM.

Does anyone know where i could get the basic background information of how it works and its advantages and so forth?

 

Well, Wikipedia is always good for some background reading: VAG-COM - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ross Tech produces the program and cable: Ross-Tech: Home

 

Thanks for the info marko

 

Ross tech indeed produces the software, but there are dozens of aftermarket cables at a fraction of the cost.

For example, I bought a cable for $16 on ebay, downloaded the shareware version of the Ross Tech VAGCOM software, and have made a few adjustments to my car's computer

1. auto windows up/down from key remote - as I approach or leave my car I can lower all, or raise all windows by holding down unlock or lock
2. one touch door locks - all doors lock or unlock with one remote click instead of clicking a second time for the passengers.
3. euro lights - amber lights in headlight cluster are OFF
4. seat belt chime - entirely disabled

Not bad for $16

 

I definetly feel the same way about the VAGCOM software as you do. I totally feel its worth getting the cable to tailor to your needs.

From reading on some of the forums some people have had problems with either the USB or the COM port cables. Which is the better cable?

 

Old and free versions of VAG-COM like 3.11 and 4.09 (current release is 8.xx) do not work with USB cables. Worse yet, I've seen a lot of people experimenting only to mess up their cars with a cheap cable and USB emulator software which is the worst combination to try. The registered version with no port emulation software fixed messed up cars every time so far.

You know your needs best. If your into the basics of supporting your own car, try an inexpensive serial cable and free VAG-COM v4.09. Be sure to purchase a non opto-isolator cable or you are forced to use even older v3.11. If you want more than the basics and want essentially the same features that the dealer uses, consider a real Ross Tech licensed cable.

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Download old versions for obsolete interfaces

I use the full registered Ross-Tech cable on multiple cars and it's great! Very reliable across multiple vehicle models, tons of accessible software features, free software upgrades (they are worth it), painless cable transfers to any computer as license is electronically keyed into cable itself, etc.

 

so you're saying USB cables don't work with 4.09? I just did this on Friday night so maybe you're thinking of something else. It was very easy. Try Audizine.com...there are hundreds of members who have had the same success. Here's a great thread outlining step by step what you need to do. Took me about 1 hour from installation to configurating the software to making the mods to loving the changes.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=158766

 

I didn't say it, Uwe Ross from Ross Tech said it. Uwe Ross writes the VAG-COM software and says USB not supported in the v4.09 previously posted link. I fully trust Uwe Ross, have a lot of respect for their fantastic product with great support, and I use A LOT of features beyond basics on several computers so I'm more than happy to pay for a registered cable.

Here is the link again:

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Download old versions for obsolete interfaces

Here are Uwe Ross's words from the link:

VAG-COM Release 409.1
Posted 11. November 2004
Self-Installing EXE file ~1.1 MB
Works with Windows 95, 98, ME, NT4,
2000, and XP but does NOT support
USB Interfaces or interfaces based
on Opto-Couplers such as the old
ISO-COM or most third-party interfaces

As I mentioned, my registered $240 cable has been paid for a few times over by people who messed up their own cars experimenting with various ebay cables and older vag software. There are combinations that work like your audizine posted link, but you should not make it sound so simple as it is misleading and can easily lead to more owners messing up their cars.

Having said that, Congrats on getting your combination to work... very nice

 

So, the guy who sells $100 cables said something to scare people off the $16 cables? Hmm...wonder why...

Anyway, just so you and oo-vee know, they work for everyone! The ***** who 'messed up their cars'...that's a stretch. The shareware version will just let you 'mess up' the convenience features, not the engine etc. And by mess up, if you type a bad code, it won't do anything. They could only choose bad options, i.e. turn off DRL by accident etc.

Further, the interface (cable) didn't eff up their cars...they probably effed up the codes, since the shareware doesn't explain them fully, and you're reliant on internet information from other users.

 

Who cares! Some people are cheap enough to buy the ebay one 3-8 times till one works some get the first one to work. It does not give you the ability to use all the options and coding can be messed up easily as I have read guys threads on AZ how some coding went weird. I heard of one guy going the cheap route and buying it 4 times and then finally forking the money for the real thing. Just buy the original their support and customer service is amazing any issues or questions that I had they diagnosed it for me and helped me out every step of the way. Big props to the people at Ross-Tech I have a whole lot of respect for them and I would not mind paying $600 for the cable with the service that I am getting!!!