VAG-COM: I gotta get it!

[tekazgtr1984]

I'm new to Audi and I understand the electronics on 'em are pretty complex. Hardly surprising as this seems to be the case with German vehicles. Fortunately, my 740i has been pretty good and I haven't had to invest into diagnostic software for it. The S4, on the other hand, is a completely different animal.

That being said, I picked up a V-Checker but it seems pretty basic and not very user-friendly. It looks like getting VAG-COM seems like a good move for any B5 S4 owner. I need to recalibrate the xenon projectors (the auto-leveler was replaced but they still don't point high enough) and I also now need to figure out why the MIL (CEL?) came on yesterday when I was driving home. I'd like to get more familiar with this car's electronics and it seems VAG-COM would really facilitate that.

Is there a specific or current version that works best? And for the cable, is there a specific seller on eBay from whom to buy it?

Thanks!

[RedB5S4]

Just call Ross-Tech and order the USB cable. The ebay cable is okay for changing tunes and stuff, but past that it's not very useful. VAG-COM is the first thing an S4 owner should buy though. You'll use it more than you can imagine.

[tekazgtr1984]

Thanks for the advice! Is it the 16' USB 2.0 cable I should be getting?

[speedlyte]

Thanks for the advice! Is it the 16' USB 2.0 cable I should be getting?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG-COM-KKL-...#ht_1061wt_955

[itguy]

buy ^^^ and get the vcds-lite program from rosstech for 99$

[BenjaminR]

OK so I didn't want to start a new VAG question thread for the 10 millionth time and could use some assistance.

I have the cable, have the VCDS light. Got all the drivers installed for the cable USB/COM stuff.

But when I go to set the cable up in the VCDS program it asks which COM port. Well my computer had originally set the cable to COM6. So I went and changed it to 1.

When I test it I get
"Port Status: OK
Interface: Not Found!"

What gives? I have screwed around with this for a long time. I have switched COM ports, changed USB locations etc. Cant get it to recognize. In my Driver utility it says the driver is working properly. Currently I am running FTDI 2.8.14 software... Its what windows automatically installed for it.

Anyone have ideas?

[chinaren]

You should look into buying these, cheaper and the same thing, and with Amazon's return policy...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

[Timtheguru]

Just call Ross-Tech and order the USB cable. The ebay cable is okay for changing tunes and stuff, but past that it's not very useful. VAG-COM is the first thing an S4 owner should buy though. You'll use it more than you can imagine.

What past that? I use it for logging no problem. For the $7.99 I spent with free shipping back in 2007, it's still working just fine.

[somebody5788]

What past that? I use it for logging no problem. For the $7.99 I spent with free shipping back in 2007, it's still working just fine.

It doesn't allow you to use all the features of VAGCOM. I'm pretty sure it doesn't do much past checking codes and basic data logging.

[Timtheguru]

It doesn't allow you to use all the features of VAGCOM. I'm pretty sure it doesn't do much past checking codes and basic data logging.

You can use it for any feature that you would need on a certain version such as Coding, logging, codes, etc,. What features of Vag-Com can't you use? There aren't any that we would need to use.

Edit: I use my ebay cable with ECUX for logging and works fine there too.

[rlny]

OK so I didn't want to start a new VAG question thread for the 10 millionth time and could use some assistance.

I have the cable, have the VCDS light. Got all the drivers installed for the cable USB/COM stuff.

But when I go to set the cable up in the VCDS program it asks which COM port. Well my computer had originally set the cable to COM6. So I went and changed it to 1.


When I test it I get
"Port Status: OK
Interface: Not Found!"

What gives? I have screwed around with this for a long time. I have switched COM ports, changed USB locations etc. Cant get it to recognize. In my Driver utility it says the driver is working properly. Currently I am running FTDI 2.8.14 software... Its what windows automatically installed for it.

Anyone have ideas?

i get the same exact message. how do you resolve that? From the message it looks like the computer see's something is connect to the usb slot but it doesnt see what and vcds doesnt recognize it.

[ThirdStrike]

Just call Ross-Tech and order the USB cable. The ebay cable is okay for changing tunes and stuff, but past that it's not very useful. VAG-COM is the first thing an S4 owner should buy though. You'll use it more than you can imagine.

the trial version will only let you view the first 3 DTC errors and will not let you log.
get the ebay cable, and pm me.

[BenjaminR]

i get the same exact message. how do you resolve that? From the message it looks like the computer see's something is connect to the usb slot but it doesnt see what and vcds doesnt recognize it.

Exactly!

I have searched and read through about 20 some odd VAG com threads with no luck. I believe I have done everything correctly. I am not a moron when it comes computers but I cant get around this. Really bumming me out, I really want to start logging my car.

[Austonwerner4]

You should look into buying these, cheaper and the same thing, and with Amazon's return policy...

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...pf_rd_i=507846

Anymore info? Would it do everything a standard VAG cable do?

[somebody5788]

You can use it for any feature that you would need on a certain version such as Coding, logging, codes, etc,. What features of Vag-Com can't you use? There aren't any that we would need to use.

Edit: I use my ebay cable with ECUX for logging and works fine there too.

I don't really know, I'm sure it says on the website though. I've always had the highest version they sell at my shop.

[ThirdStrike]

Exactly!

I have searched and read through about 20 some odd VAG com threads with no luck. I believe I have done everything correctly. I am not a moron when it comes computers but I cant get around this. Really bumming me out, I really want to start logging my car.

what version of vagcom are you using?
if you guys are using the generic cable, PM ME and ill get you straightened out. smdh