VAG COM cable on ebay

[Another Dave]

hi,

i am new to all this VAG COM but need to get started so i can try and activate DIS on my 2003 Audi.

so, will this work?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-409-1-USB-CABLE-FOR-VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-GOLF-OBD_W0QQitemZ380086712740QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Dia gnostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item380086712740&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1689|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

many thanks

p.s. i did search, but for some reason it came back with zip/zilch/zero results!

[Braveheart1981]

Hi

Firstly yeah that cable will work with Vag-Com 409.1. I have the same cable from the same seller.

However "activating" your DIS can't be done with VAG-Com unless you have the correct hardware installed in your car ie It was installed as an optional extra when the car was new (if so why is it switched off) or you have retro fitted the required hard ware and are now just looking to activate it.

[Another Dave]

thanks for replying.

according to this it is possible to retro-fit DIS....

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=52211&highlight=driver+information

i shall get the cable anyway and have a look around and see what i can find - it's probably useful to have the cable anyway.

thanks again.
D

[Issac Hunt]

You only need to add a wiper stalk.

RE VAG-COM, I'd either stump up the cash for the genuine article from RossTech or find a member local to you who has it to code your car in exchange for a few beer tokens.

Ver 409 is very old, the latest is 812 (I think!) the Ebay cables are all third party interfaces that cant do much on newer vehicles and can be very problematic.

I wasted time and money with the cheapo versions, finally I bought the real deal and its one of the most useful tools I have ever bought.

The times I have used it for myself and others, It has certainly paid for itself in saving trips to Audi for diagnosis and simple coding changes.

Just my 0.02p worth anyways!

[Another Dave]

is this the puppy?

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VCKII&Category_Code=VAGCOM

thanks for your patience guys.

fingers crossed i can use this for the golf too.

[Issac Hunt]

I'd go for this one

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VCHUC&Category_Code=IC

This work on all VAG cars including CAN based one's such as the A3, Mk5 Golf etc etc

[Another Dave]

okay - thanks Isaac.

looks like i'll start saving then :D

[Issac Hunt]

The exchange rate at the moment certainly doesnt help sadly.

I got mine 18 months ago through a forum group buy for £215 so I couldnt say no to it!

If you dont think you'll use it much, just ask a member with it who can code your car for you.

[Another Dave]

Yes, that seems like an option. I don't feel like I've earned my keep as of yet to be honest though.

i'll get the necessary part first before doing anything.

[Eshrules]

Yes, that seems like an option. I don't feel like I've earned my keep as of yet to be honest though.

i'll get the necessary part first before doing anything.

I'm always prepared to help a fellow vag'er, I just can't stand timewasters.

If I can be of any help, let me know :)

[Another Dave]

I'm always prepared to help a fellow vag'er, I just can't stand timewasters.

If I can be of any help, let me know :)

You, Sir, are a legend! :approve:

Let me get the bits ordered and stuff and i'll look you up.

[randall977]

Is this one any good? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-K-CAN-1-4-VW-Audi-Seat-Skoda-Diagnostic-tool-Com-UK_W0QQitemZ150328826963QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Diag nostic_Tools_Equipment?hash=item150328826963&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[Marco34]

Fully registered are far better. You can log live data and perform thorough checks on the car. Sadly they are't cheap. I was rather jammy and found a Ross-tech registered for £95 on ebay a few years ago.

[Another Dave]

it seems the general consensus is to stop ******* around and shell out for the proper goods from Ross Tech (although you could all be on the sly :P)

[ShaunD]

I too have been thinking about getting one of these cables but bloody hell they aren't cheap are they !

Plus, I still haven't decided as to weather I am going to keep my car (2003 A4 Avant 2.5 TDi with 222,000 kms) or sell it and keep our other car instead (2005 Volvo S40 2.4 with 108,000 kms). I really love the way the Audi feels and its faster than the Volvo but the kms put me off.

I may just sell both then get a newer Audi then stump up for the cable then !!

[Marco34]

If you just want to read fault codes then those cables are fine. If you want to run diagnostics and outputs tests etc then registered is better. The choice is yours ;)