zee
Go Kart Champion
Many thanks goes to the author of Waks Wide Web as ALOT was borrowed from it.
What is VCDS?
VAG-COM Diagnosis Software.
What is VAG-COM?
A common misconception of VAG-COM is that it is a VAG group product used by dealers to do "something" with the cars ECU. It is NOT. Dealers use the VAS 505x devices which are explained in the thread linked.
VAG-COM is an independently written PC application that Ross Uwe originally wrote as a tool to check out his own car and be a useful tool to the enthusiast community. It basically combines the diagnostic abilities of a number of dealer only electronic gizzmos and puts their power into the hands of owners and enthusiasts.
With an appropriate cable it can be utilised to examine any VAG group cars ECU for diagnostics and maintenance procedures. It is also used to tweak settings and enable features deactivated for certain markets.
The software is downloadable and a cable can be bought from Ross-tech as they deliver internationally.
What do I need?
You will need to download the VAG-COM software. In basic form it can only read error codes for you.
A dongle adapter is needed to connect your laptop/computer to your VW.
In order to clear codes and change functions in the vehicle, the VAG-COM software can be activated in one of 2 ways.
1. Buy a cable from Ross-tech.
The cable will cost you between US$249-349 depending on the version you want. The license is built into the Ross-tech cables so can be easily moved from one laptop to another. The cable somehow extracts a license to the software which enables full access to the software. Links for Cables and prices. The Micro-CAN (USB) is the cheapest option which supports most newer VAG cars including the Mk6. But you can but the HEX-USB+CAN (USB), HEX-COM+CAN (Serial) or Micro-CAN (USB) for your Mk6.
2. Ross-tech sells the software only with a license for fee of $99, for those who have an interface cable. The license is not transferable and they will not provide hardware support.
What about ebay cables?
At the moment, the cheap Ebay cables do not support Can-Bus in newer VAG cars. Even if you find one, As ChicityGTI said "I would only trust Ross-tech with the cables...cheap e-bay alternatives just don't sound too appealing when playing around with the ECU on a 25k piece of machinery."
I personally have read about cheap vag-com cables burning the USB ports on laptops. Although, I have not read about the vehicle port being burnt out which will be very bad.
What to do first?
When you have your cable, you'll need to know where to plug it in. The diagnostic port(DLC Location) on a LHD Mark 6 is under the dash, to the left of the steering wheel.
For ALL the features plug your cable into your PC and car, then switch the IGNITION ON to ACC. For any of the real time live data reading, the engine must be STARTED as well.
Aftermarket Radio? Read http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html
Will you rather find someone with a Ross-tech cable to help you for $20, a 6-pack or FREE?
Go to the weekly meets in your area or try the links below at your own risk.
VAGCOM finder.
http://vagcomlocator.com/
http://www.vagtoolfinder.com/
Remember - Autoscan, save file.
http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/autoscan.html
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.html
http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VAGCOM
***At your own risk. It is always recommended to perform a complete AutoScan and save it prior to coding changes. All codings might not work on all vehicles due to production changes.
This is just a guide so I am not responsible for any damage or problems that may result from following these instructions. Remember to save the old settings before any change.***
What MK6 tweaks can I do?
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/VW_Golf/Golf_Plus_%285K/52%29_Tweaks
How do I data log?
.
.
.
What is VCDS?
VAG-COM Diagnosis Software.
What is VAG-COM?
A common misconception of VAG-COM is that it is a VAG group product used by dealers to do "something" with the cars ECU. It is NOT. Dealers use the VAS 505x devices which are explained in the thread linked.
VAG-COM is an independently written PC application that Ross Uwe originally wrote as a tool to check out his own car and be a useful tool to the enthusiast community. It basically combines the diagnostic abilities of a number of dealer only electronic gizzmos and puts their power into the hands of owners and enthusiasts.
With an appropriate cable it can be utilised to examine any VAG group cars ECU for diagnostics and maintenance procedures. It is also used to tweak settings and enable features deactivated for certain markets.
The software is downloadable and a cable can be bought from Ross-tech as they deliver internationally.
What do I need?
You will need to download the VAG-COM software. In basic form it can only read error codes for you.
A dongle adapter is needed to connect your laptop/computer to your VW.
In order to clear codes and change functions in the vehicle, the VAG-COM software can be activated in one of 2 ways.
1. Buy a cable from Ross-tech.
The cable will cost you between US$249-349 depending on the version you want. The license is built into the Ross-tech cables so can be easily moved from one laptop to another. The cable somehow extracts a license to the software which enables full access to the software. Links for Cables and prices. The Micro-CAN (USB) is the cheapest option which supports most newer VAG cars including the Mk6. But you can but the HEX-USB+CAN (USB), HEX-COM+CAN (Serial) or Micro-CAN (USB) for your Mk6.
2. Ross-tech sells the software only with a license for fee of $99, for those who have an interface cable. The license is not transferable and they will not provide hardware support.
What about ebay cables?
At the moment, the cheap Ebay cables do not support Can-Bus in newer VAG cars. Even if you find one, As ChicityGTI said "I would only trust Ross-tech with the cables...cheap e-bay alternatives just don't sound too appealing when playing around with the ECU on a 25k piece of machinery."
I personally have read about cheap vag-com cables burning the USB ports on laptops. Although, I have not read about the vehicle port being burnt out which will be very bad.
What to do first?
When you have your cable, you'll need to know where to plug it in. The diagnostic port(DLC Location) on a LHD Mark 6 is under the dash, to the left of the steering wheel.
For ALL the features plug your cable into your PC and car, then switch the IGNITION ON to ACC. For any of the real time live data reading, the engine must be STARTED as well.
Aftermarket Radio? Read http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/aftermarket-radio.html
Will you rather find someone with a Ross-tech cable to help you for $20, a 6-pack or FREE?
Go to the weekly meets in your area or try the links below at your own risk.
VAGCOM finder.
http://vagcomlocator.com/
http://www.vagtoolfinder.com/
Remember - Autoscan, save file.
http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/autoscan.html
http://www.ross-tech.com/index.html
http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VAGCOM
***At your own risk. It is always recommended to perform a complete AutoScan and save it prior to coding changes. All codings might not work on all vehicles due to production changes.
This is just a guide so I am not responsible for any damage or problems that may result from following these instructions. Remember to save the old settings before any change.***
What MK6 tweaks can I do?
http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/VW_Golf/Golf_Plus_%285K/52%29_Tweaks
How do I data log?
.
.
.