Alternative to VAGCOM?

[RS6]

Originally Posted by johnny_quattro

Installed it in my A8L today and spent a wonderful half hour going through codings etc. I now have the auto-door lock function enabled for the central locking. Previous value was 13130, to which I simply added the value of 32 to make it 13162. The feeling of satisfaction was immense, I'm sorry to say/admit. It also unlocks the doors on ignition off.

The app itself has revealed a few electrical maladies too, namely the usual flap motors for the climate control as well as spurious values from the rear headlight-levelling sensor.

I thoroughly recommend this OBDeleven dongle/app - my ELM237 OBDII blue dongle is no longer used.

Sounds like you have also enabled anti hijack locks over 15mph and unlocks when key is removed

Should be able to code alarm cherp as well for doors lock

[ulfilias]

Hi There,

This is getting to be quite a useful tool, with lots of options and development going on.

Also found this youtube channel from the stateside distributor, while it's aimed at more average cars, there's a lot of info on how it works and so forth

https://www.youtube.com/user/Deutsch...able_polymer=1

[ulfilias]

Hi There,

Was just searching the net in regards to a Bosch ABS module flashing and came across someone recommending Carista - It's an app on Android and iPhone

Has a week £8.99 paid thing or Thirty something a year. However the Bluetooth dongle is only £19.99 *OR* and this is the bit that piqued my interest it works with ELM adaptors too.

I've an old VGATE bluetooth dongle which I used for Torque and a few other bits on my RX8 and if you've played with Car dongles in the last few years then you've probably got one and it's worth a play.

The Vgate one worked and it's a nice APP. There's three functions. Check Faults, Diagnose and Customise.
They're a bit slow as in a couple of minutes as it accesses each module and it doesn't really give you control like ODB11 or VCDS etc

However it read the fault codes. Got 44 for mine which seemed high compared with the other tools, but the they're locked in terms of obviscated numbers and clearing costs.

Customise gave things on lights, locking options (indicators, beep, double press(free)), Menu options and Nav eject - They were on / off options, nice dumb and easy to do rather than coding numbers or changing bits, which I see useful to people that VCDS scares. Also if you've got a dongle you can see what you have / can do without purchase

Service allowed you to reset the service indicators, there also seemed to be a readiness check and clear (free). There was a parking brake option, but it had lots of warnings and to be honest i'd probably grab something else. But it *MAY* be useful.

All in quite impressed for user interface and really low cost of entry.

https://caristaapp.com/

[madcjd]

Hi.
I've read with interest your informative write ups on the 'obdeleven' and the 'carista'.
Did you buy the latter too?
I only use the laptop VCDS and, being a copy, it does crash out occasionally on my D3.

I was just about to go for the OBDELEVEN, until I saw your link to the $20 Bluetooth adapter.
Being an OBD numpty, I'm not familiar with the apps you've mentioned it works with, so does that mean you don't have to subscribe to their $40 per annum service (which to be fair isn't too costly)?

I confess to being an Apple sheep 'baaaaaaah'

Thanks, Chris

[homer simpson]

I have not used Carista but have seen a lot of good comments about it.I don't think it can do as much as VCDS but is better than the cheap OBD adaptors.

[madcjd]

Ok -cheers.
Have you used the previously mentioned obdeleven?

[homer simpson]

Originally Posted by madcjd

Ok -cheers.
Have you used the previously mentioned obdeleven?

I haven't - sorry

[ulfilias]

Carista is basic, but uses a cheap dongle you may have for other things (i did). You can download and test the app without buying it and see what you can do on your car with it. It's simple, limited but will give you codes and some ideas of what is going on. It's better than a basic scan tool.

ODB11 is pretty good. I keep my dongle in the car ash tray as it's useful when traveling. Cost for the dongle is reasonable and there are two versions of the software. Uses a smart phone and gives you almost as much information as VCDS, though it's more powerful if you know how to use VCDS and can look up procedures.
I just did my rear brakes with it rather than getting out the laptop and you CAN do almost all of what VCDS does, though I'd argue the adaption / basic settings are easier to use on VCDS

VCDS is the rolls royce of DIY VAG cars. Original cables are a few hundred and you need a laptop. You need to be careful buying second hand that it IS an original.
Decent clone cables are still expensive (~£50) and locked to a specific older version of software, come with no support and are a bit hit and miss.
Cheap cables (£5-£20) 490.1 are REALLY old and limited to a shareware / hacked shareware version. This way frustration lies

ODIS / VAS 6154 - Dealer level stuff. Either old or Clone stuff. Some of it needs online accounts. I've been occasionally tempted to play

Lee

[gninnam]

Running an Android based car stereo and installed OBD11, but couldn't get it to connect due to the fact the software was designed for portrait only and the connect button did not show.
Raised this with them and they told me they will look into it for the next release.

Good on them - they sorted it. You can choose between landscape and portrait now so all good



No need to use my phone or tablet now as always available - sweet
(Just need to code the stereo out as it shows as not being there.....)