View Full Version : Building your own interface/cable
muddyboots
26-07-2004, 12:46
Don't know if this site has been mentioned before, but anyone who wants to save a few pennies and put their own interface/cable together can buy stuff here:
http://www.andywhittaker.com/ecu/obdii_hardware.htm
I've just ordered the board and OBD connector, the rest of the bits are items commonly found at my work :whistle:
ScoobyChris Mk2
26-07-2004, 12:55
I have one of these and am very happy with it. However, it doesn't work with v4 of VAG-COM if that's important to you :)
Chris
ordered mine on the 26th & still no PCB
sent an email to progress is - no answer.
muddyboots
30-07-2004, 20:49
According to his website, he usually desptaches them the Monday after receiving your order...
I emailed after placing my order, and got a prompt reply & delivery too.
Have just ordered the rest of the bits from Maplin, couldn't find enough bits to nick at work :rolleyes:
muddyboots
16-08-2004, 07:56
UPDATE: Just built mine this weekend - and it worked first time.
I'd forgotten which way round LEDs fit - it was 50/50 whether I got them the right way round, but they worked. Shorter leg is the negative side....I think !
Granted, it doesn't look overly pretty, mainly because of my blobby soldering and absence of a case, but it seems to do the job.
Also I had to remove the backshell from the PC-end D-Type, as the one I bought was quite bulky and stopped the connector mating properly to my laptop.
I just need to get the full version of VAG-COM now, the shareware version is a bit limited...
muddyboots
20-08-2004, 15:27
Another update:
After having trouble opening the ABS controller, Uwe from Rosstech notes that some Bosch ABS controllers won't work with v3xx of VAGCOM. They will work with v404.0, but you need a better interface - the self built opto-isolator jobby from Andy Whittaker won't do it.
Seems to open everything else though.
Uwe's response to my ABS query (http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=40352)
corradophil
01-03-2005, 11:59
Can I use a serial to USB adaptor cable with this? I have not got a serial port in my laptop!
muddyboots
01-03-2005, 12:08
I don't think you can - read the notes on RossTech's vagcom pages, I'm sure it's discussed there somewhere.
Got a feeling you have to use PCMCIA ?
Chemical Al
01-03-2005, 12:31
Can I use a serial to USB adaptor cable with this? I have not got a serial port in my laptop!
seems to work ok for me
Some links in this thread...
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=44124&highlight=usb
muddyboots
01-03-2005, 14:18
Maybe it will work, I was just quoting from this page (http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/interfaces.html) on RossTech's site:
If you have a newer laptop which doesn't have a Serial Port, then you must get a USB interface. Add-on USB<->Serial Converters are not supported! USB interfaces require Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP. They will not work with Windows 95 or NT4! USB interfaces work best with Windows XP.
any body got a parts list for the interface? the one thats for sale as a kit as i want to see what bits i need and what i can get from my local store to save a few quid! im gonna get the board and try my own! download demo software and do it on the cheap :)
Chemical Al
25-06-2005, 12:11
yes, somewhere, give me a day or two to find it
mexicupra
06-07-2005, 19:29
hey guys,
sorry for the lame question but what kind of things can be done with this equipment?
muddyboots
07-07-2005, 07:28
Hi Mexicupra
Perhaps you could ask this in a new thread, this thread is to discuss interfaces & cables...(but maybe you should check out the Rosstech site first to see what vag-com is ;) )
mexicupra
07-07-2005, 15:48
apologies Muddyboots you are abosultely right
Where can I find schematics for serial cable for VAG-COM ?
Follow this link for a Circuit Diagram :blink:
Schematic (http://www.skpang.co.uk/highspeed-iso9141.htm)
Ok, sorry if this has been asked already but I couldnt find the answer. Can I use my SPS1 dongle with VAG COM? As you know the SPS1 switch has a round female conector on the back of it. Can I use an ordinary serial cable and cut the "big" side off and connect it to a male conector so it fits the SPS1 switch??? If yes, which pins do I connect?
I hope I am making sense...
Does anybody have schematics for a immo login cable, these are about £60, i don't think they can be too different to a normal VAG cable, i have software for retrieveing the login codes but want to try making a cable for cheap before spending £60 just to be able to get login codes...
freegeek
19-05-2008, 22:36
More up to date kits as well as simple vag com cable kits can be found here (http://66.196.80.202/babelfish/translate_url_content?.intl=uk&lp=de_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.obd2-shop.eu%2fobd-ii-lcd-modell-c-c-34_32.html%3fosCsid%3d0037a48b6940b5bdde7f619d0f38e0f2)
The problem with the newer kits is that they use obd2 rather kw1281 so info like turbo pressure may not be available.
Hi chaps, just thought I would bring an old thread back to life and ask if this cable http://www.ecufix.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=182&zenid=omhtdr3sjq99bbguh7231r1jv7 would be the right one to purchase for my motor (56 reg Ibiza FR 20VT) for use with Vag-Com? It was a link from the initial build your own cable page at the top of this thread so I'm guessing it's legit. I have an emissions light on my dash so figured I would see about getting a cable and have a look into it myself to see what's what.
Thanks in advance :)
KKLine leads are the old type, they won't work on CANBUS cars. However, I don't know if a 56 plate Ibiza would be CANBUS or not. It's new enough for it to be possible.
Thanks fella but I want to make 100% sure it will work before I opt for it.
I totally agree, and on that basis I wouldn't buy it.
I believe that if you buy a CANBUS lead they are backwardly compatible with kkl, but kkl aren't forward compatible. But consider it an investment anyway, as a CANBUS lead could then be used for your next car, and the next, and the next...
Then I shall not be purchasing, which leads me neatly on to my next question, which one do I buy? ;)
Then I shall not be purchasing, which leads me neatly on to my next question, which one do I buy? ;)
Erm, not a clue, my car works with a KKL lead! :D
Have a look through the vagcom section to see what other Ibiza owners have gone for.
genuine vag-com from ross tech. works out at about £260 though...
£260
That's the bit I'm not overly keen on lol so if I can get a cable that does the job just as well for a fraction of the cost then happy days :)
Pay your money take your chances.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-V-10-K-LINE-CAN-USB-Scanner-/140491661319?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20b5f4a007
But that comes with the software that isn't properly licensed doesn't it? which would be a tad naughty, also it says it's a scanner? I'm just looking for the cable on it's own then I was going to download the free software from the Rosstech website as this should be all I need for now :) so any links to just the cable would be ace :)
It would seem the cheap ebay cables and free software will work on a mk4 according to here http://www.ross-tech.net/VCDS/download/VCDSCompatibilityCharts.pdf
Thanks fella I saw that chart while I was searching the forum but I'm struggling to find a cable that says it's Hex+Can or Hex, Key (looking on eBay currently as that's where I have noticed most people are buying them from) would this be any good http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-USB-DIAGNOSTIC-CABLE-409-1-OBD2-II-LEAD-VAG-COM-/270656757642?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3f04665f8a
Thank you fella, just one more question I know I'm being a pain but it says "the cable and software does not work with canbus" is that something that would affect me with my setup? 56 reg Ibiza FR? or should all be well?
From what I know the Mk4 doesnt have canbus. So not a problem.
Ok thanks again fella uber helpful :)