Ok so not quite as dramatic, recently got VCDS and even after reading the manual, postings on here, youtube etc how to alter parameters is as clear as mud.

 

It would seem that there is short coding, and 2 types amongst that, long coding with a helper and adaptation. I am guessing its to do with some modules being older than others.

 

Adaptation seems resonably straight forward and I changed a couple of things without incident but if you have any comments or suggestions please pass them on.

 

The short coding and its helper confused me for ages but I think that its finally clicked, the examples shown on the helper confuse more than help as they show ?? against the relevant digits to alter but also x's before, after and sometimes not at all, what do the X's signify? I found that if I pretended that they were not there then I could see the digits to alter and the changes that I made worked.

 

then there are other controllers with short coding where a help box comes up with a list of numbers like 1, 65, etc etc, they bear no relation to the existing coding number except perhaps if you choose the options that you want and add them all together, is that correct?

 

Then for the long coding and its helper, I have finally found that by using the down arrow I can see all the parameters that were hidden from me, checking or unchecking them changes the strange looking presumably hexadecimal coding but pressing do it now does nothing, is it simply a helper to decode the hexy rubbish and once done I need to type the figures in on the other window and press do it now?

 

I know that I am nul with computers but I am good at vehicle repairs and diagnostic, but its looking like I am going to need a sullen teenager to continue to work on my own vehicle, is it VAG or VCDS thats to blame for the complications and confusion?

 

Any other helpfull tips please?

 

I have waited a couple of weeks and had several plays and in the process found out lots, before I would not even have known what to ask, how to describe what was causing me problems.

 

Thanks in advance.

Best place to start would be "Is it genuine VCDS or a copy?" If it's genuine then Ross Tech forum would be the best place to look, they have all sorts of answers to questions you don't even know how to ask.

Yes it is genuine bought from Gendan, I asked the same question without the sarcasm plus another thread on the Rosstech forum and did not get a single reply to either except for what I think was an automatic request to upload my scan results which I did.

 

I concluded that nobody was interested just as I had with this forum until your reply.

 

A shame, but it is what it is, if I wanted to synch an I-phone to  bluetooth fairy light cup holders there would be loads of responses!

I find most the coding pretty self explanatory, I rarely think twice as it's normally quite intuitive. VCDS is much easier to use than official tools

 

For long coding (lcode), the hex string comes directly from the module. The lcode helper add the descriptions that rosstech have discovered, it's simply a case of going through each byte and checking/unchecking any bits that are relevant. Once you've made any changes, hit the 'X' and they'll already be inserted in the 'new coding' box ready to be applied if you click 'do it'.

 

 

for short coding, just follow the instructions, here is a screenshot from rosstech:

To calculate the coding you need to go through each section to calculate the short code.

- '0' are always '0'

- 'x' will change depending on options

- '?' is linked to the description in the lines afterwards

 

Quick example showing how the above screenshots short was constructed.

0?x00xx:

- 0 is auto climate

- 1 is manual climate

Lets choose manual to give 01x00xx

 

0x?00xx

- 0 is flex service

- 5 is fixed service

Lets choose fixed to give 01500xx

 

0xx00?x

- +1 ABS

- +2 Airbag

- +3 Climatronic

Notice the addition signs? That means these need adding together.

Lets choose ABS and airbag, 1+ 2 = 3 to give 015003x

 

0xx00x?

- 1 is 5 speed manual

- 4 is 5 speed auto

- 8 is 6 speed DSG

Lets choose 5 speed manual to give 0150031 as per the screenshot.

 

It's hard to cover theoretical examples as different modules will have varying options. It might be better to ask specific questions with example screenshots showing what you don't understand. There is a user manual from rosstech if you've not already found it: http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/recode_screen.php

 

Superb, well done you! I finally understand it.

 

Am I going to look really foolish now and find out that if I had RTFM! the description would have been there?

 

I did read it cover to cover but my eyes soon glazed over!

 

sounds like a pen and paper is needed whilst reading the options and I presume then you type in the new short code?

 

I have managed to successfully change one parameter by trial and error and IIRC it was by adding the options.

Edited 22 October, 20187 yr by J.R.

That screenshot is from the online manual, I just bulked out the description

 

I tend to use notepad so I can copy/paste and make sure the coding is the correct length but a pen and paper are fine. Yes, once you have the short code, just type in it and click 'do it'.