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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: PenguinGTI on 16 October 2010, 20:33

Title: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: PenguinGTI on 16 October 2010, 20:33
Original query solved  :smiley:

Many thanks for changing the title  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice
Post by: SteveP on 16 October 2010, 20:44
1 - Above the pedals.

2 - It's a obd-II connector, nothing like anything else that will plug into your computer for the car end and then a USB connector to go into your laptop.

3 - cheap ones just don't work, go for a proper Ross Tech VCDS cable.

4 - VCDS cables act as a license key for the software which is free to download from Ross Tech

5 - I will dig out a guide to data logging in a bit.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice
Post by: PenguinGTI on 16 October 2010, 21:46
Thank you very much Steve.

You have pretty much answered all my questions so I guess this thread is completed  :grin:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: SteveP on 16 October 2010, 21:48
Here is a useful guide to data logging

http://www.goapr.com/support/datalogging.php
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 17 October 2010, 12:44
Hi guys I've managed to get some access to VAGCOM but need some advice. I might be able to borrow a cable off someone on this forum but I am also thinking about buying my own cable.
Its actually an EOBD II connector as we are in Europe. It a purple socket just under the dash. What a poor forum you can't add a picture directly, so here is one I posted on another forum. No it won't show from photobucket as I've said before.

Where is the OBD PORT!!!?? (http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/showpost.php?p=113370&postcount=2)

Now I've been after one of these cables for a long time. As its been said the ones of eBay are not really compatible with the newer VW's. There was one on there a couple of months ago for £35. I asked are you sure its compatible with 2010 VW as advertised? He said I can't garrantee it so don't buy it.

I contacted Ross-Tech to ask them the differences and which one is best.
The HEX style interface will cover all VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda from 1995 through the 2010 model years.  The MicroCAN is designed specifically to work with the MKV and MKVI platform vehicles.  As such, it starts with the 2005 model year and goes to the 2010 year.

This still isn't clear to me, do I need HEX-USB+CAN or MicroCAN? I asked do you have any distributors in the UK. distributors (http://www.ross-tech.com/distributors.html). There kit is HEX-USB+CAN $349 and MicroCAN $249.

Uwe from Ross-Tech joined one of my other forums and he still didn't answer my query.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/forum/f23/here-help-out-occasionally-3253/

I would stick with Ross-Tech when I decided I needed one. :wink:

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Rhyso on 17 October 2010, 14:36
MicroCAN will do only the newer CANBUS based cars so 2004 onwards i.e MK5

If order to scan ALL VAG group cars, new and old you need the HEX-CAN-USB - it depends on your requirements

I've had this one for 3+ years and its scanned everything from MK4's to Passat's, Tourans and Audi's

Well worth the investment for the genuine lead as if you have a light come up you've saved yourself £80 by being able to start identifying the problem yourself and not having the dealer relieve you of your hard earned cash :nerd:

Also you can help out family and friends, forum members etc in exchange for beer tokens thus helping to recuperate the initial outlay  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 17 October 2010, 15:53
MicroCAN will do only the newer CANBUS based cars so 2004 onwards i.e MK5
Well they quoted

The MicroCAN is designed specifically to work with the MKV and MKVI platform vehicles.  As such, it starts with the 2005 model year and goes to the 2010 year.

So what is the main difference, what will one do that the other won't?   :wink:

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Rhyso on 17 October 2010, 15:56
The only difference is they won't work on anything pre 2005.  Functionality is exactly the same

Fairly simple really  :tongue:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 17 October 2010, 20:17
The only difference is they won't work on anything pre 2005.  Functionality is exactly the same

Fairly simple really  :tongue:
No its not simple if they are HEX-USB+CAN $349 and MicroCAN $249. There as got to be something more for £100?  :wink:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Snoopy on 17 October 2010, 20:20
Yes you can use the HEX-CAN-USB  one on all the cars older than 2004. Thats what you pay the extra $100 for.
The micoCAN you cannot.

Best way to think of it is that the HEX-CAN-USB is backwards compatiable were the microCAN is not.




Anyone know were the best place to get the HEX-CAN-USB from is at the moment?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Rhyso on 18 October 2010, 09:07
The only difference is they won't work on anything pre 2005.  Functionality is exactly the same

Fairly simple really  :tongue:
No its not simple if they are HEX-USB+CAN $349 and MicroCAN $249. There as got to be something more for £100?  :wink:

What bit don't you understand about my explanation?  :huh:


Yes you can use the HEX-CAN-USB  one on all the cars older than 2004. Thats what you pay the extra $100 for.
The micoCAN you cannot.

Best way to think of it is that the HEX-CAN-USB is backwards compatiable were the microCAN is not.




Anyone know were the best place to get the HEX-CAN-USB from is at the moment?

Glad someone gets it :afro:

There's a chap on Audi Sport - NHN, who is an authorised distributor for Ross Tech.

Otherwise you could try buying direct from Ross-Tech themselves?  :undecided:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: p3asa on 18 October 2010, 16:34
http://www.gendan.co.uk/category_145.html

http://www.mi-uk.com/products/accessories/vag-com-diagnostic/

Couple of places to try.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: p3asa on 18 October 2010, 16:38
What a poor forum you can't add a picture directly, so here is one I posted on another forum. No it won't show from photobucket as I've said before.



Yeah I remember you posting before that this forum won't allow you to add pictures directly but it will allow you to link to pictures direct. I'm sure I already gave you the link on how to link from photobucket.

 (http://www.golfmk6.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=4169&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1286713636)
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: p3eps on 18 October 2010, 20:32
I got the HEX-USB+CAN from MI for £249 including postage, a carry case, and manual / CD.
It seemed to be the cheapest around when I looked back in March.
The only downer was I couldn't order in their website at the time - but it was sorted out in a 2 minute phonecall.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: RunRabbit on 10 November 2010, 17:48
Sorry to dig this up but it saves making another thread.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU_9.html#product_information (http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU_9.html#product_information) This site states that the Micro CAN USB lead is not as fast or as compatible with some controllers, is this true?

I'm wanting to invest in VCDS, I'm only really going to use it on 2005+ cars so I thought I'd stick with the Micro CAN USB but the "compatability" and "speed" might be a sticking point.

Any insights?

I know it's only £60 between the 2 but it's £60 in my pocket  :cool:

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 22 March 2011, 13:28
Sorry to dig this up but it saves making another thread.

http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU_9.html#product_information (http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCHU_9.html#product_information) This site states that the Micro CAN USB lead is not as fast or as compatible with some controllers, is this true?

I'm wanting to invest in VCDS, I'm only really going to use it on 2005+ cars so I thought I'd stick with the Micro CAN USB but the "compatability" and "speed" might be a sticking point.

Any insights?

I know it's only £60 between the 2 but it's £60 in my pocket  :cool:



I'm interested in this question also.  Will this http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCMC.html (http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCMC.html) lead work with a 2011 Mk VI Golf?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mike. on 22 March 2011, 13:40
Yes that would work fine  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 22 March 2011, 16:07
I got my HEX CAN cable for £50 fully functioning o n the latest VCDS  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 22 March 2011, 16:09
I got my HEX CAN cable for £50 fully functioning o n the latest VCDS  :rolleyes:

So you got a cable which acted as a dongle to some VCDS software and it is able to talk to a 2011/mk Vi golf?

If so, can you PM me the details?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 22 March 2011, 19:15
Yes, full Hex CAN USB cable, works flawlessly with VCDS with the MK6 GTI so should work with the 2011 model unless theres somehting new about the system for 11 plates?

 :wink:

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Buck on 22 March 2011, 21:44
quinnii

Where'd you buy it from please?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 22 March 2011, 22:12
Off this fellow http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/vagtools  :wink:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Buck on 22 March 2011, 23:17
Thanks

Will keep an eye out - he has no listings at the mo.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 23 March 2011, 12:34
That looks a reasonable deal quinnii.

VAG-COM 10.6.2 HEX CAN USB DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE KIT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110651135674)
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 23 March 2011, 12:40
That looks a reasonable deal quinnii.

VAG-COM 10.6.2 HEX CAN USB DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE KIT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110651135674)


I asked the seller if he had any more coming up and got the following reply:

Quote
At the moment I'm not selling 10.6.2 cables, the reason is that I'm not 100% happy with current supplies as the is a problem with long coding on some modules.

I'm waiting for delivery of a new 10.6.3 cable to evaluate and I hope this work with no issues.

I'll let you know the results and if I'll be stocking this new cable.

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 23 March 2011, 14:41
I haven't noticed any problems with the long coding yet but i havent used it too much to be honest.

He could have told me that before i bought it though necause i emailed him a few times regarding it  :angry:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 23 March 2011, 14:43
I haven't noticed any problems with the long coding yet but i havent used it too much to be honest.

He could have told me that before i bought it though necause i emailed him a few times regarding it  :angry:


What is the 'long coding'?

No prizes for anyone who answers along the lines of "the opposite of short coding"  :tongue:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 23 March 2011, 15:00
I haven't noticed any problems with the long coding yet but i havent used it too much to be honest.

He could have told me that before i bought it though necause i emailed him a few times regarding it  :angry:


What is the 'long coding'?

No prizes for anyone who answers along the lines of "the opposite of short coding"  :tongue:

Have a look at this:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3993326-Using-the-Long-Coding-Helper-when-checkboxes-are-not-present
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 23 March 2011, 15:07
I haven't noticed any problems with the long coding yet but i havent used it too much to be honest.

He could have told me that before i bought it though necause i emailed him a few times regarding it  :angry:


What is the 'long coding'?

No prizes for anyone who answers along the lines of "the opposite of short coding"  :tongue:

Have a look at this:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3993326-Using-the-Long-Coding-Helper-when-checkboxes-are-not-present

Cheers. So Long Coding is the ability to take advantage of parameters that VCDS software doesn't understand?

Is that about it?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 23 March 2011, 19:33
That's pretty much what I understand from it  :tongue:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 23 March 2011, 19:51
That's pretty much what I understand from it  :tongue:

Not sure how this stands on the long codes, but seems like a good priced cable if it lives up to the hype:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-10-6-2-VCDS-AUDI-VW-SEAT-SKODA-/110665588440?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item19c42eded8
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 23 March 2011, 20:20
Well the pic shows Realease 10.6.2 and Data version: 20101123 mine is Realease 10.6.3 and Data version: 20101206 so its using the older version but the pic looks registered.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 23 March 2011, 20:23
Well the pic shows Realease 10.6.2 and Data version: 20101123 mine is Realease 10.6.3 and Data version: 20101206 so its using the older version but the pic looks registered.

Did yours come from ebay or was it a proper Ross Tech one?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: quinnii on 23 March 2011, 20:41
Im pretty sure you will be ok with the 10.6.2 release unless theres something dramatic in difference between the 10.6.3 version?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 24 March 2011, 00:52
I bought my Ross-Tech one from ilexa (http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/vagcom.html)
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 30 March 2011, 10:14
Im pretty sure you will be ok with the 10.6.2 release unless theres something dramatic in difference between the 10.6.3 version?

10.6.3 cables available http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180646370852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180646370852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT). I can't comment on how well they work.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 12 April 2011, 14:57
Im pretty sure you will be ok with the 10.6.2 release unless theres something dramatic in difference between the 10.6.3 version?

10.6.3 cables available http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180646370852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180646370852&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT). I can't comment on how well they work.

Has anybody had problems with non-Ross Tech cables srewing anything up on their cars?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 12 April 2011, 17:50
Google it mattlittle I don't think its a matter that they screw your car up its a matter that you have limited functions.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 12 April 2011, 17:57
Google it mattlittle I don't think its a matter that they screw your car up its a matter that you have limited functions.

Cheers, I had googled it and found nothing but sometimes it is difficult to work out if this is because only a limited set of people are using them.

If there are no other negative views, I will prob go for it.

Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mike. on 12 April 2011, 18:22
I suppose if it does damage your car then its the chance you take with these illegal cables.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 13 April 2011, 08:24
I suppose if it does damage your car then its the chance you take with these illegal cables.

By that token, surely nobody should use the Ross Tech ones as only the VAG ones are 'legitimate'?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Rhyso on 13 April 2011, 08:47
I suppose if it does damage your car then its the chance you take with these illegal cables.

By that token, surely nobody should use the Ross Tech ones as only the VAG ones are 'legitimate'?

The Ross Tech ones are fully tried and tested on the vehicles they are designed to work with.  The illegal Ebay ones are basically reversed engineered from the Ross Tech cables and as such won't be as 100% reliable
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 13 April 2011, 09:06
I suppose if it does damage your car then its the chance you take with these illegal cables.

By that token, surely nobody should use the Ross Tech ones as only the VAG ones are 'legitimate'?

The Ross Tech ones are fully tried and tested on the vehicles they are designed to work with.  The illegal Ebay ones are basically reversed engineered from the Ross Tech cables and as such won't be as 100% reliable

As far as I can see, if I only want to code a 2011 Golf, the Ross Tech Micro-CAN USB would do the job (rather than the full HEX-USB +CAN).

I can't find anything on Google to suggest that the golf is considered a 'difficult' car that would require teh EX-USB +CAN - which one do people on here use?
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Rhyso on 13 April 2011, 09:24
I suppose if it does damage your car then its the chance you take with these illegal cables.

By that token, surely nobody should use the Ross Tech ones as only the VAG ones are 'legitimate'?

The Ross Tech ones are fully tried and tested on the vehicles they are designed to work with.  The illegal Ebay ones are basically reversed engineered from the Ross Tech cables and as such won't be as 100% reliable

As far as I can see, if I only want to code a 2011 Golf, the Ross Tech Micro-CAN USB would do the job (rather than the full HEX-USB +CAN).

I can't find anything on Google to suggest that the golf is considered a 'difficult' car that would require teh EX-USB +CAN - which one do people on here use?

I think the majority use the full HEX-CAN USB as you can use it to help out friends and family etc who have other / older VAG cars  :wink: 

Its what I have used for the past 4 years and it works a treat  :smiley:
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 13 April 2011, 13:21
The differences between HEX+CAN, Micro-CAN and KII-USB.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/interfaces.html
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: mattlittle on 13 April 2011, 13:27
The differences between HEX+CAN, Micro-CAN and KII-USB.

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/interfaces.html

Cheers - good to have a reference to that page. I was wondering how much of a difference the enhanced timings made or whether the Mk VI constituted a 'tricky' car that necessitated the more expensive interface.

You can get the same table with UK pricing here: http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VCMC_9.html
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Keithuk on 13 April 2011, 17:03
Yes there are 4 UK distributors for Ross-Tech (http://www.ross-tech.com/distributors.html) as you say Genden I had mine from ilexa (http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/vagcom.html).

I think its a matter of horses for courses, the Micro-Can probably is ok for general settings but if you need to go further later on then you would need to buy the HEX-CAN lead which bumps the price up even more. So you may as well go for HEX-CAN first rather than later.
Title: Re: Mk 6 Vagcom advice *now advised*
Post by: Snoopy on 13 April 2011, 17:52
Quote
I can't comment on how well they work.

Has anybody had problems with non-Ross Tech cables srewing anything up on their cars?
A lad from the other mk5 forum who lives just down the road from me had trouble with his. It was temperamental. Its why he gave up with it in the end and bought a rosstech mico-can.