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VAG-COM (VCDS) helper

zee

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?
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J

jmblur1

Go Kart Champion
From Dana @ Ross-tech (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4743553)

Daytime Running Lights
- 09-central elect. Coding, Long Coding helper, the lamp systems are different:
--- Factory Xenon – Byte 11
--- Factory Halogen – Byte 15

Emergency Brake Warning active
Flashes hazards when "emergency braking" detected
- 09-central elect. Found in Coding, Long Coding helper.

Auto-Lock
- 09-central elect.Found in Coding, Long Coding helper.

Coming Home
- 09-central elect. Found in Coding, Long Coding helper.
If the vehicle is not equipped with an "Auto" headlight switch, coming home activation will likely require you to pull the high beam stalk back briefly after shutting the vehicle off and before exiting. The description should be found in your owners manual.

Leaving Home
- 09-central elect. Found in Coding, Long Coding helper.
Leaving home will likely require the "Auto" switch and a light sensor. The description should be found in your owners manual.

Alarm Confirmation via lights and horn
- 09-central elect. Found in Coding, Long Coding helper.


-----------------------
I've been told it's possible to set up fogs as DRLs - but haven't seen a how to. Any leads?
 
L

LittleJohny

Go Kart Champion
Are all vag-com cables the same? From what I've been able to learn, the only requirement for the mk6 is that the cable supports the CAN interface. I've seen a few on eBay that claim to do this, would I be able to use this cable to make the same programming changes? Will I be able to run the Ross-Tech software (would I need to?)?
 
pyro h4cker1

pyro h4cker1

Ready to race!
LittleJohny said:
Are all vag-com cables the same? From what I've been able to learn, the only requirement for the mk6 is that the cable supports the CAN interface. I've seen a few on eBay that claim to do this, would I be able to use this cable to make the same programming changes? Will I be able to run the Ross-Tech software (would I need to?)?
Click to expand...

you would need to run vcds (ross tech software) and they're key encryptions are built into the cable, so i doubt the ebay cable will work
 
L

LittleJohny

Go Kart Champion
From member jmblur:

Gauge sweep:

Only works with cluster codes that end in "H" (US) or "D" (Europe) - "G" will not work! an error will be shown if you try and your car can't support.

VCDS Version 912 beta
Select under 17 Instruments -> Adaptation -> Staging
and activate.

Driver's heated seat memory:
08 Auto HVAC -> Adaptation
"Storage of seat heater level driver" from drop down. Change to On and Save.
Again, won't work with all cars - option will just not be there.


Cornering lights:
In 09 Central Electronics, Long coding, Byte 14


Maybe this thread should be sticky'd?
 
gunmetal5

gunmetal5

Ready to race!
This seems like it would be a great mod. The unit seems expensive though. Does anyone in socal, LA area have a unit they'd be willing to share?
 
D

dstill

Ready to race!
LittleJohny said:
From member jmblur:

Gauge sweep:

Only works with cluster codes that end in "H" (US) or "D" (Europe) - "G" will not work! an error will be shown if you try and your car can't support.

VCDS Version 912 beta
Select under 17 Instruments -> Adaptation -> Staging
and activate.

Driver's heated seat memory:
08 Auto HVAC -> Adaptation
"Storage of seat heater level driver" from drop down. Change to On and Save.
Again, won't work with all cars - option will just not be there.


Cornering lights:
In 09 Central Electronics, Long coding, Byte 14


Maybe this thread should be sticky'd?
Click to expand...

Bubuski, where would i find the code for my cluster?:confused:

Thanks in advance.:thumbsup:
 
D

DRDUNKS

New member
Has anyone used a VAG-COM to disable the TPMS (Tire-pressure monitoring system) on a mk6 golf/gti? If you have could you post what steps you did to deactivate the TPMS?

Thanks in advance for your time and advice.

Reason why i am asking…

I just took off my winter stock steelies and put on my 18" audi wheels. The audi wheels don't have the TP sensors so i'm stuck with the TPMS error light always on.
 
D

Dana @ Ross-Tech

Ready to race!
Nice thread! This is obviously my first post here, so I'll contribute some links.

I updated the VW Vortex today:
VCDS MKVI / MK6 Platform, Handy Coding tweaks

I would like some feedback on the Fogs as DRL's on Halogen equipped vehicles. If it has been discussed here already, I apologize in advance for not searching.

I'm not really into disabling TPMS, but I can say this may be an answer since removing it from the gateway alone simply creates faults:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4827624

Lastly, we have some new releases and they are found on our Download Page
 
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