Vag-Com / vagcom Guide

nicolasl46 · Jul 29, 2010

I'm new to this vag-com thing, I have a serial OBDII cable around my house, and I need to hook it uop to my laptop, but I'm having port problems. Maybe if I get a serial to USB adapter? Another question, I was going trough the vag-com guide, and there is an option for the mirrors to flip down while in reverse, but it say that only works with memory seats. Anyone care to explain if it would work on my GTI, and why?

JetTurbo · Jul 29, 2010

nicolasl46 said:
I'm new to this vag-com thing, I have a serial OBDII cable around my house, and I need to hook it uop to my laptop, but I'm having port problems. Maybe if I get a serial to USB adapter?

If you want to connect USB for VCDS / VAG-COM,
get a USB Ross-Tech cable - the lowest cost cable for the Mk V is USB only anyway.

Those OBD-II cables do not work with modern Ross-Tech software,
you have to use an out of date shareware version that is partially crippled.
Modern VAG-COM software is dongle copy protected,
and the dongle circuitry (i.e. software license) is built into the Ross-Tech cable.
That is why the Ross Tech cable costs so much,
you are paying for a cable and you are paying for a valid software license.
It is worth it.

nicolasl46 said:
Another question, I was going trough the vag-com guide, and there is an option for the mirrors to flip down while in reverse, but it say that only works with memory seats. Anyone care to explain if it would work on my GTI, and why?

It will not work on your GTI as you do not have power seats with memory.
Power seats with memory also store the mirror positions with each seat position,
and that data is stored in the power seat controller.
The reverse / tilt down feature is an extension of that memory function.
The 2006 / 2007 Mk 5 Jetta 2.0T with option package 3
were the only Mk 5 to offer power seats with memory in the US offerings.

nhbubba · Jul 29, 2010

JetTurbo said:
The 2006 / 2007 Mk 5 Jetta 2.0T with option package 3 were the only Mk 5 to offer power seats with memory in the US offerings.

The '09 Jetta SportWagon SEL has the memory seats/mirrors. I'm told some (all? just '09.5?) of the TDI JSW's did too.

nicolasl46 · Jul 29, 2010

JetTurbo said:
If you want to connect USB for VCDS / VAG-COM,
get a USB Ross-Tech cable - the lowest cost cable for the Mk V is USB only anyway.

Those OBD-II cables do not work with modern Ross-Tech software,
you have to use an out of date shareware version that is partially crippled.
Modern VAG-COM software is dongle copy protected,
and the dongle circuitry (i.e. software license) is built into the Ross-Tech cable.
That is why the Ross Tech cable costs so much,
you are paying for a cable and you are paying for a valid software license.
It is worth it.

It will not work on your GTI as you do not have power seats with memory.
Power seats with memory also store the mirror positions with each seat position,
and that data is stored in the power seat controller.
The reverse / tilt down feature is an extension of that memory function.
The 2006 / 2007 Mk 5 Jetta 2.0T with option package 3
were the only Mk 5 to offer power seats with memory in the US offerings.

WOW, you are good, you know your stuff :thumbsup: I understand what you are saying about the cable, software and license. But I don't think I'm going to really use it much. But I wanted to get it because I don't want to pay for somebody to do something so simple as this. I'm saying simple because I had a hard time connecting that serial cable, but with out the connection issues and the guide, everything should be more simple. Thanks for your time bro.

nicolasl46 · Jul 29, 2010

So, if I'll find a micro-can usb cable for under $150 I should consider myself lucky? How about this one? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ross...907Q2em263QQcategoryZ43989QQitemZ180539623279

nhbubba · Jul 29, 2010

The value is in the Ross-Tech software, not in the USB-CAN adapter.

Yes, the item pictured in that ebay link is a Ross-Tech adapter that has a built in key for the VAG-COM software. It is what you want.

$50 is an insane deal. I have no doubt that auction will end up going much closer to $150.

nicolasl46 · Jul 29, 2010

so, I'm better off paying a member for the service if I'm only going to use it on a few things.

nhbubba · Jul 30, 2010

That's a personal call. I love owning my own vag, even if I don't use it as often as I wish I did. :biggrin:

I'd jump on that ebay listing.. at least until the price goes way up.

nicolasl46 · Jul 30, 2010

what I don't understand, is that Ross-Tech has software for different interfaces, what is that?

JetTurbo · Jul 30, 2010

nicolasl46 said:
what I don't understand, is that Ross-Tech has software for different interfaces, what is that?

Pretty simple, Volkswagen has different interfaces based on model, year, etc.

Ross-Tech makes very specific cables targeted to specific models at the low end of the pricing scale,
and they make more universal models and adaptors at the high end of the pricing scale.

For example, I have a mk5 and my daughter has a mk4.
The low cost cable for the Mk5, the Micro-CAN, will not work on the mk4.
So I own a more expensive HEX-USB+CAN Interface which works on either model.

theholycow · Jul 31, 2010

nicolasl46 said:
so, I'm better off paying a member for the service if I'm only going to use it on a few things.

http://www.vagcomlocator.com/

Double_A · Aug 17, 2010

im new to this vagcom thing , and i wanna get the cable from amazon ... can some1 send me a ling for the cable ... there are a lot of cables out there idk which one to buy , and where can i download the software from ?

ive got a 2008 comfort-line VW golf 1.6 petrol engine ... euro spec

can you guys inbox me or something .... ?

nhbubba · Aug 17, 2010

Stuff on Amazon is junk, you need to go direct: http://ross-tech.com/

Although it looks like they have a free VCS-lite now for 3rd party crap.

Still, you want the real thing me-thinks.

JetTurbo · Aug 17, 2010

nhbubba said:
Stuff on Amazon is junk, you need to go direct: http://ross-tech.com/

Although it looks like they have a free VCS-lite now for 3rd party crap.

Still, you want the real thing me-thinks.

Agreed you want to purchase a genuine Ross-Tech cable that also
includes a software license dongle.
Avoid the diagnostic cables on eBay that don't include the VAG-COM software dongle,
they cannot work with modern Ross-Tech VAG-COM (VCDS) software.
They only work with an out of date version.

Ross-Tech also lists a partner California Company
as serving Egypt & Middle East:
M2K Inc.
17779 Main Street, Suite C
Irvine, CA 92614
p: +1 949-333-3800
f: +1 949-333-3804
email: tkassem@m2kinc.com

Ross-Tech Distributor List

whitemkv · Sep 10, 2010

im thinking about buying one to use amongst friends but idk which one to get, i have a mkiv and a mkv but i have a friend with a mkvi and another with a b7 a4 any input is helpful

Vag-Com / vagcom Guide

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