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VCDS (aka Vagcom) For all your electronic debug / diag advice queries and mods.

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  #1  
Old 2nd December 2015, 09:55 PM
gninnam gninnam is offline
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Default Alternative to VAGCOM?

Just saw this post on the TT forum I frequent and thought someone here might already know about it or would be interested - not tried it yet but will look to get one.

To quote the guy who has one:

Hi everyone, I just thought I'd share my experience since I've seen a few people asking about VCDS (VAG-COM) and buying cheap copies on the net.

I've had VAG-COM for many, many years, but I use it with a 'dumb' cable. This means it works great with versions up to 409 (released in 2004), but nothing since then. While this is fine for our mk1 TTs, it isn't any use for the more modern full CAN cars . I recently bought a 2008 Passat (not a great move, but hey...) and found my version of VAG-COM will not work any more. Now I could shell out hundreds on a new interface and latest version of VCDS, but for what I use it for, that's way over the top.

What I really wanted was a simple solution for checking and clearing fault codes and doing a little coding. I have previously used Torque for Android, which is quite frankly, garbage. On my BMWs, I used an app called BMWhat (again Android), which is actually very good. I have been searching for something similar for VAG cars and came across OBDEleven http://obdeleven.com/

I've been using this for a couple of weeks and I have to say, for the casual user, it's even better than VCDS. It reads and clears faults, does live data logging, coding, adaption, basic settings, output tests, etc. And all this without having to carry a laptop around. It also stores a history of coding (by car!), so if you make a mistake, you have the original values to go back to. This alone is miles better than VAG-COM for me, where you are told to 'make a note' of you original values.
So far, I've done a few bits of coding on the Passat, like changing the colour scheme on the RNS510 and checking fault codes on the TT. All works perfectly.

All in all, I definitely recommend this over VCDS unless you are a real power user or garage owner. And the Pro version is only about £22.00! Massive bonus. One point though, it's Android only, so all you Apple sheep aren't covered :P

I'm happy to answer questions on this as buying from Latvia was a bit of a gamble for me, but it was a nice smooth and quick transaction.
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Peugeot 207 (the sons)

Triumph Daytona 675 (2017 reg)

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1972 T2 Bay Window Camper (Slow)

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2003 A8 Sport 4.2 (with ACC & LPG) (Feed up with all the issues so passed it on to a forum member)

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  #2  
Old 3rd December 2015, 07:03 AM
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moltuae moltuae is offline
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Default

Thanks

Sounds good. And at just a little over 30 quid, it's worth a try.

Just ordered one
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2002 FE S8 Ebony Black Pearl
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Cars Owned:
The Tesla Era: 2020 Model S Performance Ludicrous+ (present)
(Black, with all black premium interior and carbon fibre décor, 21" sonic carbon twin turbine wheels and FSD capability)

The Audi Era: '97 A8 4.2 (Ming Blue) --> '96 A8 4.2 QS (Dark Green) --> '02 FE S8 (present)
The Citroen Era: '84 BX 1.6 RS --> '89 BX 1.9 DTR Turbo --> '94 XM 2.0L Turbo --> '96 XM 2.0L Turbo Exclusive --> '00 Xantia Activa 2.0L Turbo
The Banger Era: '76 1.2L Lada VAZ-2101 (Ruski Fiat 124) --> '80 1.7L Morris Ital HL, finished in Ermine White and Rust
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  #3  
Old 3rd December 2015, 08:06 AM
gninnam gninnam is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moltuae View Post
Thanks

Sounds good. And at just a little over 30 quid, it's worth a try.

Just ordered one
No probs.
Hope it works out and let us no how you get on with it
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Andy.

Current cars:

BMW i4 M-Sport

Peugeot 207 (the sons)

Triumph Daytona 675 (2017 reg)

===========================

Gone but not forgotten

Ford Focus ST-2 Mk3 (the wifes) (stolen Oct 2023)

1972 T2 Bay Window Camper (Slow)

Audi TT Mk1 225 - now with coil-overs and a 7inch touchscreen infotainment centre

2003 A8 Sport 4.2 (with ACC & LPG) (Feed up with all the issues so passed it on to a forum member)

2000 A8 FL QS 4.2 (with RNS-E - Nice) (Engine poorly so sold on to be brought back by someone who has the time)
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  #4  
Old 3rd December 2015, 11:10 AM
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Architex_mA8tey Architex_mA8tey is offline
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For apple phones I've been using a wifi (rather than bluetooth) OBD sender to plug into the port, and then there are many apps you can get. Iphones don't like bluetooth unless the sender is specifically designed as an iphone bluetooth sender as they use a different set of protocols apparently. The app i use for day to day stuff is called "EOBD-Facile" but there are many out there (I think others have used the "Torque" programme on android phones.
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  #5  
Old 3rd December 2015, 11:33 AM
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moltuae moltuae is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey View Post
For apple phones I've been using a wifi (rather than bluetooth) OBD sender to plug into the port, and then there are many apps you can get. Iphones don't like bluetooth unless the sender is specifically designed as an iphone bluetooth sender as they use a different set of protocols apparently. The app i use for day to day stuff is called "EOBD-Facile" but there are many out there (I think others have used the "Torque" programme on android phones.
I presently have one of these that works with Torque, etc:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009NPAORC
(Note: If you use one of these, don't leave it plugged in. It sometimes prevents the car from starting if you do).

Torque is great, but yeah, a friend of mine (who is also unfortunate enough to own a few Apple products ) had to make do with WiFi and some other inferior Apps too.
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Mark
------------------------------------------------------
2002 FE S8 Ebony Black Pearl
------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------
Cars Owned:
The Tesla Era: 2020 Model S Performance Ludicrous+ (present)
(Black, with all black premium interior and carbon fibre décor, 21" sonic carbon twin turbine wheels and FSD capability)

The Audi Era: '97 A8 4.2 (Ming Blue) --> '96 A8 4.2 QS (Dark Green) --> '02 FE S8 (present)
The Citroen Era: '84 BX 1.6 RS --> '89 BX 1.9 DTR Turbo --> '94 XM 2.0L Turbo --> '96 XM 2.0L Turbo Exclusive --> '00 Xantia Activa 2.0L Turbo
The Banger Era: '76 1.2L Lada VAZ-2101 (Ruski Fiat 124) --> '80 1.7L Morris Ital HL, finished in Ermine White and Rust
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  #6  
Old 3rd December 2015, 12:11 PM
gninnam gninnam is offline
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Default

I use something similiar with Torque, but the software is limited in what it can do (just engine) while this OBDeleven software can do a lot more(from what I have read)
__________________
Andy.

Current cars:

BMW i4 M-Sport

Peugeot 207 (the sons)

Triumph Daytona 675 (2017 reg)

===========================

Gone but not forgotten

Ford Focus ST-2 Mk3 (the wifes) (stolen Oct 2023)

1972 T2 Bay Window Camper (Slow)

Audi TT Mk1 225 - now with coil-overs and a 7inch touchscreen infotainment centre

2003 A8 Sport 4.2 (with ACC & LPG) (Feed up with all the issues so passed it on to a forum member)

2000 A8 FL QS 4.2 (with RNS-E - Nice) (Engine poorly so sold on to be brought back by someone who has the time)
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  #7  
Old 23rd March 2019, 07:53 PM
DailyMike DailyMike is offline
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by moltuae View Post
Thanks

Sounds good. And at just a little over 30 quid, it's worth a try.

Just ordered one
Hi Mark.

What's your experience of this so far?

Cheers,

Mike.
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[BSold with regret:]2002 A8 4.2 (40v) Quattro Sport, 18" QS wheels; Prins LPG[/b], Silver; Black leather; newly-refurbished wheels in Anthracite...pics to follow soon!
2000 P38 Range Rover Vogue 4.6 V8 LPG, Epsom Green, fully-rebuilt engine (Top-hat liners, new camshaft for better mid-range torque); New S/S sports exhaust...SOUNDS BRILLIANT!
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"JONDOR" is a slow-burn project, being converted to provide suitable accommodation for wheelchair users and their carer/family for short respite breaks. Currently moored on River Humber at Old Beverley Shipyard
SOLD***2006 LWB Ford Transit 2.4 Diesel, Luton Van; Tail-lift; leaking translucent roof SOLD***

Previous vehicles:
Far too many to list individually, but includes 2005 A8 D3 3.0TDI Quattro Sport; 2007 A6 3.0TDI Avant; 2005 A4 2.0 Avant; 2007 A3 2.0TDI; 7-off Citroens, Many Fords, Austin 1100 (my first car), Lotus 7, Rover SD1 3500; SAAB 9000i, SAAB 9000 turbo; BMW 530; another P38 Range Rover (the crap one with BMW 2500 diesel engine...wouldn't tow the skin off a rice-pudding! )
Daren't even mention the traumatic Morris Marina and Ital's....even an Austin Princess. Brain is now hurting somewhat, so giving up for now...
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  #8  
Old 24th March 2019, 08:55 AM
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moltuae moltuae is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DailyMike View Post
Hi Mark.

What's your experience of this so far?

Cheers,

Mike.
Hi Mike,

It works pretty well.

Connectivity and scanning can be a bit temperamental at times but that's more of a Bluetooth issue than a fault with the device. Usually if you turn Bluetooth off/on on the phone/tablet or restart the phone/tablet, it connects and scans successfully.

I did have a few issues with it recently, in that it would scan for fault codes but was unable to reset them. A few weeks later it wouldn't connect and gave a "not authorised" error. I contacted Support and they replied within the hour. They fixed the issue and now it works again
__________________
Mark
------------------------------------------------------
2002 FE S8 Ebony Black Pearl
------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------
Cars Owned:
The Tesla Era: 2020 Model S Performance Ludicrous+ (present)
(Black, with all black premium interior and carbon fibre décor, 21" sonic carbon twin turbine wheels and FSD capability)

The Audi Era: '97 A8 4.2 (Ming Blue) --> '96 A8 4.2 QS (Dark Green) --> '02 FE S8 (present)
The Citroen Era: '84 BX 1.6 RS --> '89 BX 1.9 DTR Turbo --> '94 XM 2.0L Turbo --> '96 XM 2.0L Turbo Exclusive --> '00 Xantia Activa 2.0L Turbo
The Banger Era: '76 1.2L Lada VAZ-2101 (Ruski Fiat 124) --> '80 1.7L Morris Ital HL, finished in Ermine White and Rust
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  #9  
Old 11th March 2020, 04:51 PM
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Zip Zip is offline
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Question Is OBDEleven still the best cheaper VCDS alternative...?

Resurrecting thread...

After 12 years a D2 owner, now wanting to do some OBD stuff.

Thoughts?

Zip
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2005 B6 S4 Cabriolet: Ebony Black Pearl over Silver. RNS-E, Bose, heated seats, cruise control, retrofit aux-in, centre armrest, Milltek resonated exhaust
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  #10  
Old 11th March 2020, 09:42 PM
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Zip Zip is offline
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Question

Anyone tried this Carly thing that keeps popping up on my fb feed?

Zip
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2002 D2 S8: Ebony Black over Platinum. A8L Comfort front seats in black (), heated rear seats, extended Leather Pack 3, blinds, glass sunroof, MFSW, Dension Gateway 100 for iPod, ski-hatch, xenon plus, auto dimming mirrors, 20" FE wheels, billet aluminium 'brake block', gunmetal Brembo calipers

2005 B6 S4 Cabriolet: Ebony Black Pearl over Silver. RNS-E, Bose, heated seats, cruise control, retrofit aux-in, centre armrest, Milltek resonated exhaust
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