i have a 2002 52 plate octy vRS i'm interested in sourcing the gear i need for vag com. what cable do i need and i cause any damage by using the software if i don't really know what i'm doing? failing that are there any member local to gt yarmouth/ lowestoft who know how to use it?

ceers

daddy2coull

Mine is just a cheapo cable from Ebay. If your laptop has a serial port then these seem to be more reliable than the USB type.

have u actually used yours yet? did you have any problems? most importantly, can i cause any damage?

daddy2coull

have u actually used yours yet? did you have any problems? most importantly' date=' can i cause any damage?

daddy2coull[/quote']

Once or twice

Nope, no damage to report. Two thing's to bear in mind are that the cheapo ones will only work with the older versions of VAG-COM (311.2 IIRC) and don't buy one based on the ELM chip as these don't support VAG-COM.

Cheap cable's can be had off eBay or DIY'ed from somewhere like www.andywhittaker.com (this is the one I had). Ross-tech also supply official cables, but make sure you're sat down when you see the prices

VAG-COM software can be downloaded from www.ross-tech.com, but you'll need to register it to be able to change codings in the ECU. The free version of the software allows you to read fault codes and view codings so is pretty idiot proof, the full version has scope for damage, but if you follow the tried and tested guide I wrote on here, then you shouldn't have any probs...

Chris

er ok,

my laptop doesn't have a serial port so i'd have to get a usb cable. is the older software available for free download from ross tech or would i have to purchase it?

would this cable and software work with other VAG cars? a friend at work has an 04 touran sport so we're looking at sharing the price of the cable

daddy2coull

Some functions of the Touran and probably some of them on yours too will require CANBUS. It really depends on what your expected usage is.

I can't speak for the touran (Although I doubt it would be a problem) but for reading codes and enabling some functions you don't need CANBUS. Perhaps post in Ask A Tech for the correct answer.

You can download the software free of charge from Ross Tech, it will have limited functionality which I believe is described on their web site.

i must admit i'm getting lost now. what is canbus? is this something to do with hexi decimals?

daddy2coull

Controller Area Network I think!!

It's a way of addressing the car's computer system.

I'm pretty sure if you have a root around on the Ross Tech site many of your questions will be answered.

Read below for starters:

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/vag-com-faq.html

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/canbus.html