daytripper wrote:
> On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 12:09:06 -0600, Bart Oleksy > wrote:
>
>> daytripper wrote:
>>> On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 11:12:39 -0600, Bart Oleksy > wrote:
>>>
>>>> Marcus Redd wrote:
>>>>> "Bart Oleksy" > wrote in message
>>>>> .. .
>>>>>> I just bought a "clone" VAG-COM cable from eBay for $20-$25 shipped...now
>>>>>> I've downloaded the shareware Ross-tech software onto a laptop and am
>>>>>> looking forward to playing around with some of the settings on my '98 A6
>>>>>> Avant Quattro and '97 A4 2.8Q, like changing the country code to display
>>>>>> kilometers instead of miles, resetting the service indicators, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> A local fellow was going to offer his VAG-COM stuff for me to use (in
>>>>>> exchange for some beer! lol) but since I already had the laptop and just
>>>>>> needed the cable, I think this will be far more convenient...can do it on
>>>>>> my schedule, etc.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Might be worth the $20-$25 to get a cable for your TT!
>>>>> Sounds rather interesting - is there a page anywhere that shows just what
>>>>> settings you can change on each car?
>>>>>
>>>> Sort of... you have to dig around for a while, but there are a few sites
>>>> that have some good detailed info on what you can do and how to do it.
>>>> I haven't done much yet - I was having some laptop issues but managed to
>>>> get the software on the laptop to recognize that it's connected to an
>>>> Audi "computer".
>>>>
>>>> If you get one of these 'clone' USB cables, you might be distressed that
>>>> the software won't find the car computer... turns out that the clone USB
>>>> cables actually emulate a serial cable, so try one of the COM1/2/3 ports
>>>> instead of the USB port when connecting.
>>>>
>>>> That took me a while to figure out... <sigh>
>>>>
>>>> Bart
>>> The Audi repair CDs from Bentley have sections on coding with tables that show
>>> which bits or combination of bits control which feature(s) to be enabled. Also
>>> provides DTC codes for all functional units, plus diagnostic routines for
>>> same.
>>>
>>> The combination of the Bentley CD and VAG-COM is very effective in de-liaring
>>> dealer techs ;-)
>>>
>> True enough! But then you're talking "real" money for the Bentley
>> stuff, no?
>>
>> Without Bentley, you're looking at $25-ish (if you have a laptop
>> already, or can plug in a desktop computer & monitor near your car!), so
>> that's pretty minimal for guys like me who would barely know where to
>> start with Bentley... 
>>
>> Bart
>>
>>> /daytripper
>>> '00 s4 6spd
>
> Yes, it is the full, licensed version of VAG-COM, and their dongle as well,
> and a bought version of the Bentley S4 CD, all running on one of my laptops.
>
> The VAG-COM kit was the first thing I bought when I got my S4.
> The second thing was the Bentley.
>
> With the two of them I was able to diagnose the only problem I've had to date
> - a MAF that had aged out of adaptation range - as well as modifying some of
> the S4's convenience feature settings.
>
Very cool - wish I could do all that. It's mostly Greek to me, though.
I figure I can handle convenience settings & the like, and that's
worth the $25-ish for the cable and a little time to download the
software and look for the right codes to use.
I'm sure your initial investment has paid for itself several times over
by the savings on repairs!
Bart
> Cheers
>
> /daytripper
> '00 s4 6spd
--
Posted via a free Usenet account from
http://www.teranews.com