Car: 2004 Audi TT Quattro 3.2l Auto with 70k miles

Objective: Trying to smog and need one last readiness test to complete, the catalyst test (046). Tried to complete via Vag-Com and no luck, get the dreaded "No Response from Controller" once I get into Engine Management and try to execute 046 in Basic Settings. All other readiness tests have passed. Car driven over 500 miles and the cat test still pending.

Tools: Authentic Ross-Tech cable with latest software. Also used older version of the software to rule out version. Also used a different laptop and software at a local Audi shop with the same results. Tried all the common suggestions: Ran as Root, tried different USB ports, even different machines and cables (mentioned earlier). Called Ross-Tech tech support who suggested a defective ECU (note car runs great!)

Actions Taken based on research: Tried to clean and re-seat the ECU cables, similar with the center consol cables. Pulled the stereo (factory unit), disconnected the batter in variations of these attempts. NO LUCK!

ECU Details: when I pulled the factory ECU it was still in the security cradle with the one use security bolts, so it looked factory installed BUT curious the ECU might have been touched by the factory as there were red pen marks crossing part out. Part# 022 906 032 DR/0 261 208 234. BENZIN ME7.1.1 crossed out was 0002, written after that is 5545.

I'm going down that path of possibly getting my ECU rebuilt, but worried it's wasted $'s if that's not it. I read something about K1 interference and was thinking I could run cables from the ECU to Vagcom to avoid the loom but I don't know the pin out to OBD2.. anyone??