VAG-COM USB cable

BigFoot_

I've just purchased the above but seems like not working for me.
If I plug the cable to the car - red led on the cable is on. If I try to install a windows driver from vag-com 409.1 it fails.

Do you have any experience?

thanks.
bf

SouperComputer

just to clarify... did you get the genuine VAG-COM cable from VAG-COM themselves?

Non VAG-COM or spurious cables will only work up to version 3.x

crosstownk

If cable is genuine your best bet is to contact support

You could also try www.vwnavi.com

BigFoot_

no, it's not original one.
computer recognized it as USB<->SERIAL adapater. is it right? I've played a bit with the windows .inf file and managed to install the driver.. but still not working.

thanks.

crosstownk

SouperComputer wrote:

Non VAG-COM or spurious cables will only work up to version 3.x

What version do you have?

SouperComputer

USB to Serial is fine alright.

You need to use version 3.x of VAG-COM and take it from there. Later versions will just act as if there is no cable there.

this is the latest version to support non VAG-COM cables.

you can check version history here

crosstownk wrote:

What version do you have?

IIRC I have the version linked above. I bought a non VAG-COM cable from ebay and it only works with that version of the VAG-COM software. Later versions require (in the vast majority of cases) the original VAG-COM cable.

BigFoot_

I've tried 3.x but not working as well.
BTW, can you check what vendor ID and product ID sends your cable?

BigFoot_

Ah, I remember what is my problem with 3.x vag-com. it seems there is no USB support.

Do you have USB cable? Could you advise how did you manage to make it working?

thnx

SouperComputer

BigFoot_ wrote:

Ah, I remember what is my problem with 3.x vag-com. it seems there is no USB support.

Do you have USB cable? Could you advise how did you manage to make it working?

thnx

I got a serial one, sorry

Mc-BigE

I bought a 3rd party cable and had problems also, make sure you use the usb to serial adaptor software, it fools the USB port in your laptop into thinking its Serial, (follow instructions below) then make sure you download 311.2 vag-com from ross-tech.com (shareware version) and click com1 not usb in the setup screen. plug into car, ingnition on, start vag-com, it should work.

i cut and pasted the following from the website:


Driver Installation Instructions
Note: These instructions are for Windows XP (which we recommend). Installation under Windows 98/ME/2000 is similar, but not necessarily identical. Make sure you have already downloaded and installed VAG-COM Software on your PC before following these instructions.
1. Download the driver http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/69/68740/USB_Driver.rar
It is recommended that you save it in its own folder on your computer for future use.
2. Open the driver file and "unzip" the file into its own folder. If your version of windows does not support the ".rar" format, you can enable the format
http://images.auctionworks.com/hi/69/68740/Winrar 3.5.exe
3. Plug your Ross-Tech USB Interface to your PC's USB port.
(It is not necessary to connect the interface to the vehicle yet)
4. "Found New Hardware Wizard" will start. choose "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)"
5. On the next screen:
Select "Search for the best driver in these locations"
Check "Include this location in the search:"
Use the [Browse] button to find the folder you saved the driver files in. Click "OK" then "Next"
6. "Hardware Installation" screen pops up. Click "Continue Anyway"
7. Click "Finish"
NOTE: If the new Hardware Found Wizard does not appear when you plug in your interface, go to Device Manager and look for the interface. It should be under Universal Serial Bus (USB) Controllers or under Other Devices. If it's there, Right-Click it and then select Update Driver. Then you can start at Step 4 in the instructions above.

Determine the correct "Port" setting
Note: These instructions are for Windows XP (which we recommend). Installation under Windows 98/ME/2000 is similar, but not necessarily identical.
Open the Device Manager and determine which COM Port the cable is using and make sure it occupies its own COM Port. This is the COM Port setting you use when you "Test" the interface in the Vag-Com software setup.
1. Plug the Vag-Com Cable into an available USB port on your computer.
2. Now open the "Device Manager". Open the "Control Panel", click the "System" icon, in the "Hardware" tab Click "Device Manager".
3. In the Console Tree, double click "Ports (COM & LPT)"
4. Verify that the device "USB KKL Interface VCP" has its own COM Number that is not in use by another port. If you need to change it, double click the device, click the "Port Settings" tab, click "Advanced", then change the "COM Port Number".
5. Make a note of the COM Port number for setting the Vag-Com software.

Testing the COM Port in the Vag-Com Software
1. Plug the cable into the computer and into your vehicles socket. *Turn the ignition on.
2. Start the VAG-COM software.
Click the [Options] button.
In the "Select COM Port" box, select the "COM Port" that the device uses as displayed in the Device Manager. * The USB option is only available for Ross-Tech made USB Cables.
3. Click the [Test] button.
4. It should display "Interface Status: Found!".
If this test is not successful check the following:
1. Other software or devices using USB ports or the same COM Port could be conflicting. To troubleshoot, Uninstall suspected software.
2. It will not work on vehicles with the CAN-BUS System.
3. The cable must be plugged into the vehicle with the ignition on.
4. Try each COM Port from 1-4 in Windows Device Manager.
5. Check that the driver is installed and configured as outlined above.

Troubleshooting
Solutions to the most common problems. For more detailed troubleshooting, see the User's Manual above.
· First, make sure all directions above for installing driver files and configuring the COM Port where performed.
· Make sure your using software Version 311.2 or 409.1 from http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/archives.html. Install "For the Twin-USB Interface"
· Make sure your using the item on a VW, Audi, Skoda or Seat vehicle.
· Service Pack 1 for Windows 2000 adversely affects VAG-COM's ability to do real-time and makes communications with some controllers unreliable. If using Windows 2000 with Service Pack 1, you should apply Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3.
· If when you try to connect to a control module, it won't connect or you get the error message "Can't Synch Baud Rate", go to the Options Screen and try setting the Start Baud to 9600. If 9600 doesn't work, also try 4800 and 1200. Turn the car's ignition OFF and back ON after each failed attempt to connect!
· Ross-tech does have some info and troubleshooting:
Common Diagnostic Procedures: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/cars/index.html
Other known issues: http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/issues.html

BigFoot_

Thanks. It's working for me.
What car do you have BTW?
Do you know any nice tricks with the soft?

FrankGrimes

Sorry for digging up an old thread, but this one is very relevant to what I'm after so thought it better than starting a new one.

I'm looking to buy a 3rd party VAG-COM interface cable for my 2003 Passat - will this one work with the 3.112 software (from the compatibility table on that page I don't think it will work but can't seem to find which one will work)?

Mr.Diagnostic

The origional cable from Ross Tech has software activation built in. The non origional ones do not.
There are various ways to make it work with the non origional ones. Some of these are basically cloned from origionals however they do not like to be connected to later versions of the software as this entails a firmware update and so destroys the interface.

Any simple KKL interface, available from loads of sources online, will work and can give full functionality if you buy a software licence from Ross Tech. In short, buy a licence or an origional cable. Vag Com is the most functional, best value tool available and I think Uwe Ross deserves the support. BTW, a licence is only a pittance, something like 100usd and this gets you full product support too. Without the licence it is shareware and has limited functionality.

HTH