car pc in a mk3 (need details on OBDII/VAG-COM)

**bboyskidz** · 02-09-2007, 10:13 PM

Heya fellas,

I've found a new way to spend my money - a car pc.

My main reason for doing this is because I'm sick of having to always burn off new CDs onto an MP3 disc when I buy new stuff and I want GPS.

I'll post details on how I want it eventually be configured if you guys want (i.e. additional specs, components, fabrication) but the main reason for posting is because the program I intend to use (centrafuse) has OBDII control in it.

I know Vdubs use VAG-COM, but i also hear that VAG-COM is semi compatible with OBDII specifications. I've had a look for a VAG-COM/OBDII USB cable, and came up with this... but then I look on ebay and find this for so much cheaper....

I'm confused... does VAG-COM need a dongle to activate it? is it really compatible with OBDII? why is there such a HUGE price difference between the cables...

i just dont want to go wasting my money willy nilly.

**deemoE36** · 03-09-2007, 07:56 AM

why dont you just get a CD player or even dvd player with an usb drive, where u can plug and play 1000's of songs depending on the size of the flash drive ur using

thats what i did and never looked back

**bboyskidz** · 03-09-2007, 08:32 AM

already got that (not really a flash drive - but a 30gb ipod does the trick)

the point is that i want a pc in the car for the following:
gps
media
dvds
wardriving
ecu monitoring
bluetooth phone management
+ anything that a regular pc can do
edit: it's also about $1000 cheaper...

the topic of the post is about OBDII and VAG-COM... can anyone answer my previous questions?

i'll start another thread about the car pc if necessary.

**The_Hawk** · 03-09-2007, 09:24 AM

I have always liked the idea of a car PC and with the cost of laptops these days it's pretty cheap and easy to setup. Laptop + touch screen + cables and you have everything!

Now you have me thinking bboyskidz, while I already have sat nav, an integrated system would be nice, and if it is possible to monitor your engine would be pretty cool too

Especially if you had the option to make adjustment while driving (or while stopped). Just thinking it would be cool if you were running round a track... or even something as simple as, daily driver settings and flogging the guts out settings

So is this purely monitoring or is it possible to make changes to the setup?

**Tim** · 03-09-2007, 09:30 AM

on a mk3 the vag-com allows your to monitor your ECUs output but i dont think there is much that can be done in the way of changing things. From what i understand the cheaper interfaces only allow pulling down of error codes. Im not sure if they work with the ross-tech software and allow you to log data like the genuine ross-tech one does. Im not 100% certain on it cos i sprung for the ross-tech canbus compatible one but someone with one of the cheaper ones may be able to chime in.

**bboyskidz** · 03-09-2007, 01:51 PM

looking over the ebay sale, it looks like it only supports up to version 409.1 (the newest version is 700 something) and it doesn't support CAN-BUS

i think i might just go ahead and buy the ebay one. its only a few bucks and if it doesn't work I can post it back on there! haha.

tim is right, you can't really change anything, it is more for monitoring output codes/pressures/speeds/timing.

edit: just bought it. 2 weeks for shipping and we'll be in business.

**MattyT** · 03-09-2007, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by bboyskidz

the point is that i want a pc in the car for the following:
gps
media
dvds
wardriving
ecu monitoring
bluetooth phone management
+ anything that a regular pc can do

Ahhhh, Wardriving. The wonderfully pointless activity that ends up getting the internetigorant whining at me for 20minutes because some git has discovered their virgin and innocent wireless network. Eventually I tell them to bugger off because wireless network security is the responsibility of the customer. Which pisses them off. Which pisses me off because they're so clueless. But war drivers make that happen. Wardrivers make my day annoying. GO AWAY. </rant>

Anyway... ECU monitoring would be nice. But i'd like to see a package that can modify things on the fly. Not thats particularly useful for a VR6, but in boosted applications it could be handy.

**bboyskidz** · 08-09-2007, 01:50 PM

thought i'd move this to a more open forum to get more of a response...

my question is basically; what is the difference and compatibility between OBDII and VAG-COM?

i've bought a cheap usb OBDII cable off ebay, but i'm unsure as to whether it will actually work with any kind of software. (i.e. ross-tech, official vag-com, obdII)

**Tim** · 08-09-2007, 01:59 PM

I already answered that question in my post above.

from what i understand OBDII is just a standardisation of how ECUs report error codes.

VAG-COM is a software application developed by ross-tech as an alternative to the diagnostic tools VW use which cost big dollars.

To the best of my knowledge. the cheap cables only allow u to scan for codes. They dont work with the free version of the ross-tech software for viewing or logging live data from the ECU.