VCDS?

[theschmallfella]

Hey all,
I recently upgraded the rear parking control unit on the A6, the one I bought to replace the original is supposed to show an image of the car with indicators to show what the sensors 'see'. But so far this hasn't shown up. So when I did a bit more digging I'm supposed to update the control unit via VCDS so that the A6 recognises it. Now, I have no clue of VCDS, I know what it is but I've never used it. My question is has anyone here used it, is it easy to use and what one is the best to buy? In the long term I'm interested in doing more internal upgrades to the A6 so I think it would be good to get this. Any help would be appreciated folks.

[Gib]

Join the Ross tech forum - (Don't listen to a word of advice they say as they talk a lot of crap and will just replace parts with very little logic, just get the facts on TSBs).

Search on "Coding 101" and it explains how and why parts are coded.

VagCom / VCDS is a life saver for any post 94 cars
Just be aware because VCDS is now limited to a certain number of VINs the older Hex USB cables are expensive 2nd hand.

I have had a play with Calista and have a generic ELM327 running Torque or VAGEraseDTCALL in the car for emergencies but these are just get you out of jail options.

[Duffy3074]

Genuine Rosstech is where it’s at if you’re serious about it.

The forum is helpful and I’ve not found it to be a ‘replace everything’ place.

[theschmallfella]

So, excuse my ignorance here folks but is VAG COM and VCDS the same thing? Rosstech keeps coming up in google searches so I'm going to have a trawl through their site. I see ebay sell cables and software discs for this but again they all mention Rosstech in their ads. I'm guessing you have to spend a few quid to get the right equipment and software?

[Duffy3074]

Vagcom is what VCDS used to be called before VAG went “Eh hang on a minute”

It’s the same thing

[theschmallfella]

Originally Posted by Duffy3074

Vagcom is what VCDS used to be called before VAG went “Eh hang on a minute”

It’s the same thing

So which is better?

[Duffy3074]

It’s the same thing.........

[M4rkp]

Originally Posted by theschmallfella

So which is better?

As Duffy says - its the same thing - they just had to change the name...

I've got the full VCDS - and I'm based in Surrey during the week ( and some weekends)..so gladly help you out with this...

[theschmallfella]

Originally Posted by M4rkp

As Duffy says - its the same thing - they just had to change the name...

I've got the full VCDS - and I'm based in Surrey during the week ( and some weekends)..so gladly help you out with this...

Cheers, I appreciate that buddy, can you pm me your details, address etc. and I'll be in touch, would like to get this and a few other bits looked at.

[Hanuman]

(I hope CA will remain alive long enough to get some guidance)

I live part time in South East Asia, now. Hopefully, permanently, soon. In Phnom Penh, I have access to a 2002 (D3?) model A8 4.2quattro, among a few other cars.

This A8 has some serious electronics damage- the entire instrument cluster is FUBAR, but the car is still drivable. I’m going to look at sourcing a used cluster, and will then need to set it up so that keys/immobiliser don’t render the car a big brick.

So, regarding VCDS, itself; I’ve never used it. I’ve only built test equipment for the V8s until now.

Firstly, I only use Mac and IOS kit. I don’t have a windows machine. The less equipment that I purchase, the better. But I might be persuaded to purchasing a toughbok or similar.

So, recommendations on what to buy, what to run it on, and compatibility with earlier/later models would be appreciated.