FAQ's

Q: Do I need an Interface Adapter?
A: Yes. The ISO9141 port in your car is not directly compatible with any standard PC port. The ISO9141 port in your car is somewhat RS-232 like, but you can't just wire up a cable -- you must put electronics in between to allow a PC to communicate with the car. We offer a complete package consisting of an Interface Adapter, Software Registration/Activation. For the available Interface adapters and Pricing, please click here

Q: What is a Hex-Dual interface? and how does it differ from the Hex-Max interface?
A: Some 2002 Audis have replaced the original L-line with a second K-line. This implies that the tester now has to be able to do full ECU communication on this second K-line as well. The Hex-Dual interface caters for this.

Q: If I have a Hex-Dual interface, will I still require a Hex-Max interface?
A: No! The Hex-Dual interface has ALL the functionality of the Hex-Max as well as the additional Dual (TWIN) K-line communication capability.

Q: What's the difference between the Shareware version and the fully registered/activated version?
A: Please refer to the Manual or click here to refer to the VAG-COM Feature List. The differences between Shareware and fully registered/activated versions are listed near the bottom of each function page in the Manual.

Q: How much does it cost to register the VAG-COM software?
A: Cost for Registration is $99.00 (U.S). We convert the US Dollar price to Rands using the latest interbank rate. Unfortunately we cannot quote a ZAR (South African Rand price on this, as the currency is a little unstable at its best ;-)

Q: Can I purchase one or more interfaces from you with out registering the VAG-COM software?
A: Yes! We realize that many of you want to play around with your vehicle and are not professionals. Hence you can download the shareware software and use it for as long as you please, and if you wish to have the full functionality unlocked, you can register it through us at any point in time.

Q: Do you offer a volume discount on the interface purchases?
A: Yes of course! Contact us for more details.

Q: What are the computer requirements?
A: We recommend a Pentium-100 with 16MB or RAM and Windows 95 or newer. Windows 98, ME, NT4, 2000, and XP are all fine. Available disk-space is a total non-issue, VAG-COM requires less than 1 MB.

Q: Can I use VAG-COM on a desk-top computer?
A: Yes, but you will probably have to extend the cables. We now provide several different kinds of interface adapters. For the ALL our interfaces, you must use a Serial (DB9M to DB9F) extension cord. You can buy those almost anywhere.

Q: How can I extend the cable (between Computer and Car), and what does this cable look like?
A: You are looking for a DB9 serial extension cable. Here is a description of what you want. You can take this to any computer shop and they should be able to help you. A serial extension cable, also known as a straight-through cable - it has a DB9 Female plug on one side and a DM9 Male on the other side - it is straight through (as it is an extension cable) and is wired as follows: ...table here... Also note: The quality of the cables that computer shops offer, vary considerably. You should be looking for a SOFT cable. This means it bends easily. This is because the connecting wires between pins are made up of many strands of much thinner wire and thus flex and bend much easier. The harder more ridged cables tend to go faulty after some extended period of use, as the single wire that connects the pins, break.

DB9 Male DB9 Female
1 1

2 2

3 3

4 4

5 5

6 6

7 7

8 8

9 9

Q: Is there anything else I need to make full use of VAG-COM?
A: Yes. A good Factory Repair manual containing the VAG Scan-Tool procedures for your car. VAG-COM is a tool, not an on-line service manual. I could not possibly document everything you can do with it in every year and model of VW/Audi that VAG-COM can be used with. The most cost-effective manuals with good Scan-Tool procedures are the CD-ROMs from Robert Bentley Publishers. Beware, however, that many of the paper "Service Manuals" published by Bentley do not contain Scan-Tool Procedures. If a paper Bentley manual is called a "Service Manual" it usually does not have scan-tool procedures. If it is called "Official Factory Repair Manual", it does. An additional source of manuals that contain Scan-Tool procedures is Dyment Distribution Services. Click here for Audi, or here for Volkswagen. For European VW manuals, check erWin.

Q: Where can I obtain the Bentley manual or CD for my vehicle?
A: The sure fire way to get it would be through the Bentley supplier in the States: http://www.bentleypublishers.com/resource.htm

Q: How much does it cost to ship ONE Bentley CD to South Africa?
A: Via DHL would be around $38.00 (U.S.)

Q: Why can't I get VAG-COM to communicate at all?
A: Check the following:

Is the adapter plugged into the car? An adapter that is not plugged into the car will always be "Not Found". It gets power from the car!
Is the car's ignition switch in the ON position?
Is it plugged into the correct serial port? Some PC's have the ports mis-labeled.
Are the serial ports on your PC properly configured?
Disable Palm-Pilot Synchronization software!

Q: VAG-COM communicates, but it's "flaky "
A: The diagnostic protocols require a degree of real-time response from the diagnostic tool. Certain other programs and services can prevent VAG-COM from responding in the timely fashion that the protocols require. Some control modules are fussier about this than others. Fixes: If you have any other programs running, close them. If you have any of the following active on your computer, turn them off:

Virus Scanners
Task Scheduler
Microsoft Active-Synch
Fast-Find
Some Novell Netware network drivers
Power Management -- some laptops are notoriously difficult, try running the laptop on AC power!

Q: Why does my dash BEEP when I access my ABS controller?
A: In many of the newer models, there will be a series of BEEPs from the dash when you access the ABS controller (and the ABS light will be ON while you are talking to it). This perfectly normal and is done to notify the driver that the ABS is non-functional while in diagnostic mode.

Q: Will VAG-COM work even if my car is "chipped"?
A: Yes. If it doesn't work in a "chipped" car, the chip-vendor did something seriously wrong! Chips from reputable vendors are fully VAG-1551 (and VAG-COM) compliant.

Q: Can I use VAG-COM to roll back my electronic odometer?
A: No. A brand new instrument cluster (with less than 100 km on it) can be rolled forward, one time only. Of course, this assumes that the instrument cluster is "diagnostics capable". Not all instrument clusters with electronic odometers are.

Q: Where can I find Product support?
A: If you have a question or problem, please post it to the VAG-COM mailing list

Q: How do I Register/Activate my software?
A: Click here for complete instructions.

Q: How do I permanently move VAG-COM from one PC to another?
A: Install the latest version on your new machine. Test it to make sure it works properly on that machine. Contact us for support if you have any difficulties. Send the serial number from the About screen to use and we'll send you a new Activation Code, subject to the following caveat: The user sends us a De-Activation code from a prior installation. To generate a De-Activation Code, you need version 0.76 or newer on the old, previously activated machine. In other words, if you've got an older version on that machine, you may have to update it. The best way to send the De-Activation code is to grab the DE-ACT.TXT file that is generated in the VAG-COM folder when you use the De-Activate button. Additional notes: The "Transfer" stuff (using a floppy disk) remains unimplemented as of this writing.

Q: What's the De-Activate button for? Why would I want to do that?
A: Two reasons: To move your activated copy of VAG-COM permanently from one PC to another. See the previous question. Some things you might want to do to your PC will kill the Activation. If you're going to re-install Windows or update to different version of Windows, re-format or re-partition, or replace your hard drive, then you're going to loose your Activation anyway, and you'll need to ask us for a new activation code when you're done. Sometimes we can tell from the Serial Number that you're requesting a new activation for the same PC. Sometimes we can't. It depends on exactly what you've changed. Now you can always get a new Activation with no questions asked IF you supply proof of de-activation from a previous installation. So if you're about to undertake surgery on your PC, please use the De-Activate button first. Doing so will generate a "Proof of De-Activation" code which you can send to us along with your new Serial Number. The "Proof of De-Activation" code is also written to a file called DE-ACT.TXT, which you can easily put on a floppy disk for safe keeping.

Q: Can I sell my VAG-COM System to someone else?
A: You can sell the interface, but the software license is not transferable.

Q: What is are the protocols that are supported by VAG-COM?
A: KWP-1281 and KWP-2000

KWP-1281: The original VAG Diagnostic Protocol. Used on all diagnostic-capable systems through model-year 2000.
KWP-2000: The "new" VAG Diagnostic Protocol. Used on a few 2001 ABS systems and some 2002 Engines, Transmissions, and bAirbags2000.