Off topic, but may be of use to members .... OBD and VW compatability

[Julian]

I've been trying to get a cheap ebay OBDII lead to work with VCDS lite, the free download from Ross-Tech.

After lots of frustrating hours and some discussion with Jules as to to how his functioning set up behaves, I opened up the plastic box on the cable.  It needed drilling and sawing to access as the whole thing was glued together.

On checking the pinout against info on wikipedia  ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics#OBD-II_diagnostic_connector
I found there was a wire, peculiar to VW, missing off the plug.

For VW, pin 1 is supposed to have a switched +12v to tell the connected software when the ignition is on ... and mine hasn't, pin 1 isn't connected to anything!


I'll check things a little more tonight, when I have access to the car, but it looks like I'm going to have to buy another lead.  At least I'll know to ask a specific question of the seller before I buy.

[Jmg]

Used this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBD-II-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-ELM327-v1-5-Super-Mini-Adapter-Android-Torque-/251523122332?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8ff2449c

and an app called torque (free)

It read my Astra no problem.

[Jamesrl]

Used this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBD-II-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-ELM327-v1-5-Super-Mini-Adapter-Android-Torque-/251523122332?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8ff2449c

and an app called torque (free)

It read my Astra no problem.

I'm using one of those but with Pro Torque at the princely sum of £2.95 and free updates as and when, had one today.

My opinion of the app, feckin' brilliant, it works a treat on me Samsung tab2.

[Julian]

Bluetooth would be a possibility, but for what I want it for a cable isn't really a problem.

I need to look at the canbus system which I think is manufacturer specific.  OBDII is an international standard which primarily deals with engine and emissions data. 

[Jmg]

Used this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBD-II-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-ELM327-v1-5-Super-Mini-Adapter-Android-Torque-/251523122332?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8ff2449c

and an app called torque (free)

It read my Astra no problem.

I'm using one of those but with Pro Torque at the princely sum of £2.95 and free updates as and when, had one today.

My opinion of the app, feckin' brilliant, it works a treat on me Samsung tab2.

I agree, I've tried most of them and I've decided I'll pay for the full version as it's well worth the money.

[Rossey]

Used this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBD-II-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-ELM327-v1-5-Super-Mini-Adapter-Android-Torque-/251523122332?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8ff2449c

and an app called torque (free)

It read my Astra no problem.

I'm using one of those but with Pro Torque at the princely sum of £2.95 and free updates as and when, had one today.

My opinion of the app, feckin' brilliant, it works a treat on me Samsung tab2.

How does your tab2 connect to the car jim?

[Rossey]

Used this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OBD2-OBD-II-Bluetooth-Car-Scanner-ELM327-v1-5-Super-Mini-Adapter-Android-Torque-/251523122332?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item3a8ff2449c

and an app called torque (free)

It read my Astra no problem.

I'm using one of those but with Pro Torque at the princely sum of £2.95 and free updates as and when, had one today.

My opinion of the app, feckin' brilliant, it works a treat on me Samsung tab2.

How does your tab2 connect to the car jim?

Didn't know it had Bluetooth, I've got one of them at home.

That's brilliant I've after a scanner for ages

[Jamesrl]

Didn't know it had Bluetooth, I've got one of them at home.

That's brilliant I've after a scanner for ages

Got into settings and switch on blue tooth, once the tab has found the elm just pair'm, job done.

You have to enter a 4 digit code to enable the pairing,  it's either 0000 or 1234, I think.

[Julian]

Well, this is all going rather pants.

I messaged an ebay seller today.  His advert for an OBDII cable clearly stated it's compatibility with Windows 8 and VCDS lite.

I said I'd read his advert but having had trouble with OBDII cables from ebay in the past, would he confirm the following ...

1) are this lead and drivers compatible with both Windows 8 and Windows XP?

2) is this lead compatible VCDS Lite 1.2 and VAG-COM 311.2?

3) does this lead monitor pin 1 for a +12v signal when the ignition is switched on (a function that appears to be specific to VW)?

His reply was ...

sorry I will say no, I don't want to add to your problems. Thanks

That's what we like to see from a seller ... an in depth technical knowledge coupled with a firm belief in the products.




I tested the socket on the car tonight Pin 16 is +12v continuously and Pin 1 is indeed a switched +12v from the ignition.


Jules ... if it's not too much trouble, and if you don't have to destroy it to find out (I know some of the little enclosures are screwed together), would you mind checking to see if your pin 1 (top left as you're looking at the BACK of the PLUG) has a wire on it?

Sussing this may well help Nige too (although many, quite understandably, consider Nige beyond help).

[julesandtash]

Still at work but I will check when I get home. Mine is a basic cable without an activation chip in it. It is also screwed together so easy to check.

[Julian]

Thanks Jules ... waiting for your post.

My question about pin 1 and VW compatibility has scared off another ebay seller who says his cable won't work despite his advert saying it's win 8 and VCDS compatible.

[julesandtash]

Right,
Here is my basic cable (which works fine with VAGCOM 3.11 on each vehicle I have used it on including all modules on the Allroad) taken apart. The small PCB just has a four wires linking it the diagnostic plug.



Pins 4 and 5 (two grounds joined together into one wire), 7 (K line), 15(L line)  and 16 (+12v) are the only ones connected. Nothing connected to pin 1
Closer view here



I also have a more recent cable which says it supports VCDS 12.12 (but only the version that comes with the cable, not genuine rosstech). This one has the chip to talk to the software.
Strangely enough I cant get this one to work whatever I do with it. Says interface found until I plug it into the car then it reads the car once then stops. I bought it to try to be a bit more up to date but, despite the fact it was not overly cheap, as yet I cant get it to work yet the old basic cable works fine



There are more chips on the PCB and the following pins are connected
1 (VW specific switched 12V), 4  & 5 (ground), 6 (CAN high), 7 (K line), 8 (not specific), 14 (CAN low), 15 (L line), 16 (+12V)

[Julian]

Thanks for doing that, Jules.  It unfortunately blows my unpopulated pin 1 theory out of the water!

Here's a photo of my plug opened out ...




The four coloured wires, I think, are just the standard for a USB connection.

The other 8 wires are pin ... 2 (Bus +), 4&5 commoned (ground), 6 (CAN high), 7 (K line), 10 (Bus -), 14 (Can low), 15 (L line) and 16 (+12v)

There are two chips on one side and one on the reverse, although that one may just be a collection of resistors or transistors (it's got that sort of look about it).

I'm tempted to try de-soldering the wires to pins 2, 6, 10 and 14 to replicate your cable as closely as possible ... haven't really got anything to loose.

I'll post up the results tomorrow, but I think it's a long shot.  Otherwise I think I'll splash out on a cable that claims to be win 8 and VCDS compatible and has a single LED in a similar position to yours.  Were there any other distinguishing features on the cable which might help identify it?

Thanks for your continued and invaluable tech support!

[Julian]

Just to try another tack ... Nige, what year car did you try to read?

[julesandtash]

Julian, I posted the cable and mini cd to you today by first class post. Please let me know when you get it.