VCDS - General Question

[p1lts]

Sorry for what may be a stupid question.

Today is my forst day "plying" with VCDS. What is the difference between "adaptation" and "coding"? It appears to me that some values are altered through adaptation ans ome through coding, so why the difference?

Thanks

[bearthebruce]

I'll take a stab at this but will preface my reply with the fact that the lines between Basic Settings, Adaptation and Coding seem to blur for many - including me!

Basic settings are supposed to set the initial basic values needed by a control module.

Adaptations are parameters that are allowed to change but in a sense fine tune the operation.

Coding sets the options available within a module.

Having those ideas in place, we then begin the process of scratching our heads when we look at why certain things are accomplished by adaptation rather than basic settings rather than coding. And you are not alone in being perplexed by the confusion. I have yet to find a document that will help me understand what the engineers were thinking when these three methods were created!

[a8 tech]

basic setting

Adjustments required for voltage disruptions or replacements of motors
which require a voltage position feedback

example

Throttle position
wide open throttle partial throttle and closed require voltage steps for continues reference and bi directional information

Adaption is a setting or request for differing functions of a control unit

Example

Convenience bus allows multi network data transfer

Example

The radio station can be displayed on the dash display by adapting the the dash to receive the information over can as the message for the radio information makes up a section of the can bus data transfer

Coding

Specific to control unit functions and installations
So the engine ecu needs to be told if the vehicle has a manual or automatic control unit so data can be exchanged for kick down, engine rpm etc over the drive train can

Hope that helps but its basically code to fitting list, adapt to control functions and basic setting for reference values

[p1lts]

A little clearer thanks but far from intuitive

Amazed at what you can achieve though. I'll keep tinkering (carefully)

Thanks

Ian