so let me get this straight,

if u buy the VAG-COM with the usb interface, all i need to do to activate it, is to plug it into my compter and my car at the same time???

i rember sombody saying that i can read codes and code numbers without activating it.. thats all i really want to do...

can i do this with somthing else without spendin $245??

ebay ones could be good, but i dont have an ebay account, and my dad doesnt want to make one, seeing how it would be his credit card...

any help appreciated guys, im tryin to clear my lights, codes and find out what i need to fix...

-Z

 

You can also buy a cheap serial port one from obdtool.com, I would recommend you not do that though. You will still need the ross-tech software. You can download it but it won't be registered. That means a lot of features will be disabled from the software. Also do you have a serial port on your computer/laptop? If not then you will need to buy a serial card or a pcmcia serial card. The cheap USB to serial dongles rarely work as there are problems with the baud rates (USB sends data much faster than serial can handle).

Ross-tech has awesome technical support for their product. With their USB cables you dont have to register the software. As soon as you plug it in the software knows it is an intelligent cable and unlocks the software for you.

 

Agree, don't cheap out. Beside, you can always re-sell the cable and recoup much of your investment.

Half the questions on the VAGcom board are as follows " I bought a cable on ebay and I can't get it to work".

 

I bought a cable for less than $30 on ebay and it worked like a charm once I took a dremmel to the plastic housing for the OBD port. To read codes you do not need the full version but it really helps. The shareware version is very limited.

 

every time i ask a question on this board, i am reminded why i like this board so much...

thanks alot guys, i placed the order like 5 minz ago, ill post up a pro's con's thread when im done diagnosing all my problems

thanks again

-Z

 

I've posted this before, but I want to do it again.

My piece of **** ebay cable has not worked for me. I'm good with computers, understand how they work and communicate. I'm convinced my cable garbage. It was a waste of money.

I used my work laptop to download the free version of VAG-COM. I had a shortcut on my desktop and was giving a class on some new equipment we have. My desktop was up on the big screen when it was loading and one of the people in the class asked:

"What the hell is Vag Com." He pronounced vag as in vagina or as in rymes with badge. I had to explain what it was, but found it pretty amusing. I told him I was troubleshooting a chick's yeast infection and this software helps diagnose the problem.