Does anyone out there have any experience with the RossTech Vag-com error problem with Symphony radios? The web-site says that there are pretty consistent problems using the Vag-Com in vehicles with Symphony radios. It's kind of vague as to what the problem is, so I thought I'd ask all of you. I'm thinking of ordering the software but I don't want to if I'm gonna freeze up my radio every time I fire up the software on the laptop.

 

Welcome to the forum Doose!

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oh, wait.......you aren't a new member.....are you?

 

Sorry man, I just had the uncontrolable urge to be ImolaS4 for a moment there.

 

"Concert and Symphony Radios
These are made by Matsushita. The Concerts have blatant bugs in the diagnostic protocols. We've added one work-around to the low level protocol drivers that works in some, but not all Concerts, and it is not 100% reliable in any case.

Some Concerts occasionally get "stuck" in an undesirable mode after attempting communications. If your Concert gets "stuck", the way to reset it is to remove all power from from the radio for at least 10-15 seconds. This can be done by:

Removing the radio from the car.

Disconnecting the car's battery

Pulling the fuse for the radio.

Note: Some radios will require you to enter the "security code" using the radio's front panel after losing power. See the your owner's manual for the radio for instructions.

It appears that I suspect there is something not quite up to snuff in the Symphony's ability to drive the K-line. We've had some reports that they work better with non-optically isolated interfaces, and they may work better with the engine running (which means there is a higher voltage on the VBatt lines in the car)."

-Ross-Tech

 

jestnomen, I read that on the Ross-tech site. What is the "K-line" and what is "an undersireable mode". It doesn't seem worth buying this software if it's got problems with my stereo.

 

Doose, the k-line is the the data bus line that your audi uses to communicate between the ECU and all the componants of the system. I'm not sure why you are bothered with the fact that it may have issues with your radio. I researched ross-tech and the vag-com for a few months before buying it, and never read of anyone actually having this problem or it being a big deal. I'd say the benefits outweigh the small risk of it not working as advertised. The people at ross-tech are very helpful, and if you run into a hitch, i'm sure would refund your money or have a workaround for you.

Just make sure you have the necessary hardware on your computer, and never use a usb to serial connector (unconsistant reliability).

 

That's cool with me. It's not that I'm bothered by it, I just didn't know what it meant. I just wanted to hear from someone that knows, that what I didn't understand was not a big deal. If, for instance, the radio conflict caused the Ross-Tech software not to work correctly on my car, then I would hesistate to buy it. Thanks for the scoop.

 

From what it sounds like you can just reset the darn thing. There shouldn't be any issue here if you still have the audi concert instruction manual. That should have the security code in it (or at least mine does). I'd say that's 10-15 seconds of hassle for something that is most likely gonna save you hundreds, if not thousands.

 

The software has the option to scan every module/componant or scan them individually. If you found that it did lock up your radio, you could just scan the modules by themselves and skip the radio scan. It would take a minute or two longer, but no biggie. If you want to ask the guys from rosstech some questions, Audiworld.com has a vag-com forum that they respond in.

 

Excellent. Thanks. I take you have the software? So far I have been using a Matco tools OBDII scan tool to check things. Obviously the Ross-Tech software is much more sophisticated, what do you typically use yours for?