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Old 05-14-2012, 04:41 AM
  #1  
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Default New Comer questions!

I have been playing with the thoughts of buying a Ross-Tech VAG-COM software for my 2004 A8.
I'm not sure though, if the $350 in worth investing or well invested? I would like to have more info. about the soft ware. Is that easy to use? Does it work on Mac or is only for PC? What is all you can do with this software? Do you still need to go to dealer after all?
Thank you very much for your help,
A.
Old 05-14-2012, 06:40 AM
  #2  
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I bought the latest version of the HEX CAN BUS cable and software and was able to scan an older model A8 (D3 model maybe)? I was able to see numerous issues such as solenoid problems and such. In general, the software is pretty easy to use with an auto-scan for problems and decent log file outputs to tell you what the problems are. You can also change some user settings such as removing the seat belt chime--see my signature line for some changes I've made to my B8 S4. I don't know what specific changes can be made to your car. I'm pretty sure some people have used Macs but they had to run a Windows shell? The Ross-Tech site should have info on this if it is possible. You may still need to go to a dealer or third party garage for maintenance for any issues found if you aren't going to fix the issues yourself. You can clear error codes with the software but the codes may return depending on the issue. I was able to clear an annoying gas cap error on a friend's VW with the cable. Here's the scan of that A8 if interested (VIN Xed out):


Sunday,15,January,2012,10:23:20:49903
VCDS Version: Release 11.11.1
Data version: 20111209



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chassis Type: 4E0
Scan: 01 02 03 05 06 07 08 09 0E 0F 15 16 17 19 25 34 36 37 38 42
46 47 4F 52 53 55 56 61 62 65 72 75

VIN: WAUML44E64N01xxxx Mileage: 137250km/85283miles

00-Steering Angle Sensor -- Status: OK 0000
01-Engine -- Status: Malfunction 0010
02-Auto Trans -- Status: OK 0000
03-ABS Brakes -- Status: OK 0000
05-Acc/Start Auth. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
06-Seat Mem. Pass -- Status: OK 0000
07-Control Head -- Status: Malfunction 0010
08-Auto HVAC -- Status: OK 0000
09-Cent. Elect. -- Status: OK 0000
0E-Media Player 1 -- Status: Malfunction 0010
0F-Digital Radio -- Status: OK 0000
15-Airbags -- Status: OK 0000
16-Steering wheel -- Status: OK 0000
17-Instruments -- Status: OK 0000
19-CAN Gateway -- Status: OK 0000
25-Immobilizer -- Status: Malfunction 0010
34-Level Control -- Status: OK 0000
36-Seat Mem. Drvr -- Status: OK 0000
37-Navigation -- Status: OK 0000
38-Roof Electronics -- Status: Malfunction 0010
42-Door Elect, Driver -- Status: OK 0000
46-Central Conv. -- Status: OK 0000
47-Sound System -- Status: OK 0000
4F-Centr. Electr. II -- Status: OK 0000
52-Door Elect, Pass. -- Status: OK 0000
53-Parking Brake -- Status: OK 0000
55-Xenon Range -- Status: OK 0000
56-Radio -- Status: OK 0000
61-Battery Regul. -- Status: Malfunction 0010
62-Door, Rear Left -- Status: OK 0000
65-Tire Pressure -- Status: Malfunction 0010
72-Door, Rear Right -- Status: OK 0000
75-Telematics -- Status: OK 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 01: Engine Labels: 077-910-560-BFM.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 560 A HW: 4E0 907 560
Component: 4.2L V8/5V G 0070
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: AUX3Z0CN528731
Coding: 0007773
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 1F47F85BCEA6FCC

3 Faults Found:
17983 - Right Engine Mount Solenoid Valve (N145)
P1575 - 001 - Short to Plus
18282 - Valve for Torque Support Mount
P1874 - 001 - Short to Plus
17979 - Left Engine Mount Solenoid Valve (N144)
P1571 - 001 - Short to Plus
Readiness: 0000 0000

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 02: Auto Trans Labels: 09E-927-156.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 156 E HW: 09E 927 156 A
Component: AG6 09E 4,2L5V USA 0110
Revision: 00000001 Serial number: 0025285
Coding: 0000002
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 244DF7B7E7C0DF4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 03: ABS Brakes Labels: 4E0-910-517.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 517 A HW: 4E0 614 517 E
Component: ESP 5.7 allrad H29 0420
Coding: 0007597
Shop #: WSC 02313 000 00000
VCID: 2143FEA3F8D2CAC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 05: Acc/Start Auth. Labels: 4E0-910-131.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 131 HW: 4E0 909 131 A
Component: FBS AUDID3 H03 0130
Revision: 01303703 Serial number: AUX3Z0CN528731
Coding: 0263168
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: D8B513476B08CB4

Part No: 4E0 905 852 C
Component: ELV 1734

1 Fault Found:
00171 - Key 1 not learned
008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101000
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 188
Mileage: 136400 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2012.01.02
Time: 13:52:24


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 06: Seat Mem. Pass Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 760 C HW: 4E0 959 760
Component: Sitzmemory BFS H07 0060
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 5DS 008 795-03
Coding: 3940448
Shop #: WSC 00000 785 00200
VCID: 234FF4ABE2CED8C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 07: Control Head Labels: 4E0-910-7xx-07.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 732 S HW: 4E0 035 729
Component: Interfacebox H43 4610
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 346K-037507936
Coding: 0000103
Shop #: WSC 01123 444 12217
VCID: 326101EFAD34414

Part No: 4E0 910 611
Component: E0380 BedienteilH01 0050

1 Fault Found:
02244 - Button in Control Head is Stuck
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 4
Reset counter: 176
Mileage: 133943 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.12.12
Time: 09:34:17

Freeze Frame:
Bin. Bits: 00000000
Bin. Bits: 0001000
Bin. Bits: 000


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 043 HW: 4E0 820 043 B
Component: KLIMAAUTOMAT 016 0240
Revision: 00000022 Serial number: 00000000030759
Coding: 1085761
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: DAB1094F1504D94

Part No: 4E0 910 772 A
Component: Sitzluefter FS H02 010

Part No: 4E0 910 772 A
Component: Sitzluefter BFS H02 010

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 09: Cent. Elect. Labels: 4E0-910-279.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 279 E HW: 4E0 907 279 E
Component: ILM Fahrer H11 0100
Coding: 0111113
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: 2A51198F85E4094

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 4E1 910 113 B
Component: Wischer WWS D3 H50 0400
Coding: 00000036
Shop #: WSC 02311

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 0E: Media Player 1 Labels: 4E0-910-111.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 111 F HW: 4E0 035 111 A
Component: CD-Changer H44 0470
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: AUZ5ZBD7107794
Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
VCID: 1C3DCF57DFB0E74

1 Fault Found:
02261 - Data Medium
014 - Defective - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101110
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 3
Reset counter: 171
Mileage: 136076 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2012.01.01
Time: 14:52:18

Freeze Frame:
Text: 00000000


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 0F: Digital Radio Labels: 4E0-910-593-SIR.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 593 D HW: 4E0 035 593
Component: SDAR SIRIUS H04 0670
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: AUZ4Z7D3007035
Shop #: WSC 00000 000 00000
VCID: 2855E3879BE83B4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 15: Airbags Labels: 4E0-910-655-84.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 655 A HW: 4E0 959 655 E
Component: Airbag 8.4E+ H10 0920
Coding: 0530707
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 244DF7B7E7C0DF4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 16: Steering wheel Labels: 4E0-910-549.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 549 HW: 4E0 953 549 A
Component: Lenksäulenmodul H12 0040
Coding: 0012241
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: E5CB2AB32C7A66C

Part No: XXXXXXXXXXX
Component: Lenkradmodul H04 0080

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 17: Instruments Labels: 4E0-910-xxx-17.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 900 HW: 4E0 920 950 B
Component: KOMBIINSTR. VDO H44 0080
Revision: D13 Serial number: AUDID3CN005422
Coding: 0016233
Shop #: WSC 01123 444 12217
VCID: DCBD0F571F30274

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 19: CAN Gateway Labels: 4E0-910-468.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 468 A HW: 4E0 907 468 C
Component: Gateway H07 0040
Revision: 07 Serial number: 0200503B070E86
Coding: 7CFE7BDD1B2B04
Shop #: WSC 01013 444 82775
VCID: 2649EDBF91FC2D4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 25: Immobilizer Labels: 4E0-910-131.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 131 HW: 4E0 909 131 A
Component: FBS AUDID3 H03 0130
Revision: 01303703 Serial number: AUX3Z0CN528731
Coding: 0263168
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: D8B513476B08CB4

Part No: 4E0 905 852 C
Component: ELV 1734
4E0905852C ELV 1734

1 Fault Found:
00171 - Key 1 not learned
008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101000
Fault Priority: 5
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 188
Mileage: 136400 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2012.01.02
Time: 13:52:24


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 34: Level Control Labels: 4E0-910-553.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 553 E HW: 4E0 907 553 E
Component: LUFTFDR.-CDC H05 4290
Coding: 0015510
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 254BEAB3ECFA26C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 36: Seat Mem. Drvr Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 760 C HW: 4E0 959 760
Component: Sitzmemory FS H07 0060
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 5DS 008 795-03
Coding: 4071522
Shop #: WSC 00000 785 00200
VCID: 234FF4ABE2CED8C

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 37: Navigation Labels: 4E0-910-88x-37.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 888 M HW: 4E0 919 887 C
Component: MNS US H42 1100
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 355KF037511020
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 387533C74B48AB4

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 38: Roof Electronics Labels: 4E0-910-135.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 135 A HW: 4E0 907 135
Component: Dachknoten D3 H01 0090
Serial number: 00000331000120
Coding: 0003989
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 1D3BC253C4AAEEC

1 Fault Found:
00211 - Control Circuit for Rear Illumination Lights
012 - Electrical Fault in Circuit - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00101100
Fault Priority: 0
Fault Frequency: 15
Reset counter: 198
Mileage: 133736 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.12.11
Time: 19:07:00


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 42: Door Elect, Driver Labels: 4E1-910-802-42.lbl
Part No SW: 4E1 910 802 HW: 4E1 959 801
Component: Türsteuer.FS BRM005 0110
Coding: 0028196
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: DEB9055F092C354

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 46: Central Conv. Labels: 4E0-910-289.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 289 A HW: 4E0 907 289
Component: Komfortgeraet H03 0030
Revision: 00300003 Serial number: W040311180087
Coding: 0065086
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 2757E0BB96F634C

Part No: 4E0 910 853
Component: Heckdeckel P14H06 0070

Part No: 4E0 907 719
Component: Neigungssensor H02 0020

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 47: Sound System Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 224 C HW: 4E0 035 223 B
Component: DSP-High D3/AUX H13 0470
Revision: Dev_D01 Serial number: 00000000200434
Coding: 0000016
Shop #: WSC 01123 444 12217
VCID: 1E39C55FC9ACF54

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 4F: Centr. Electr. II Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 280 A HW: 4E0 907 280 A
Component: ILM Beifahrer H08 0020
Revision: Serial number: 00000000027997
Coding: 0010111
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: 1E39C55FC9ACF54

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 52: Door Elect, Pass. Labels: 4E1-910-802-52.lbl
Part No SW: 4E1 910 802 HW: 4E1 959 802
Component: Türsteuer.BF BRM005 0110
Coding: 0028196
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: DEB9055F092C354

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 53: Parking Brake Labels: 4E0-910-801.clb
Part No SW: 4E0 910 801 A HW: 4E0 907 801
Component: EPB AV1C1010 H01 1010
Revision: AV1C1010
Coding: 0000532
Shop #: WSC 01123 444 12217
VCID: 1D3BC253C4AAEEC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 55: Xenon Range Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 357 HW: 4E0 907 357
Component: Pre-AFS H01 0040
Revision: 00000001 Serial number:
Coding: 0000001
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: E2C131AF3D54114

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 56: Radio Labels: 4E0-910-541.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 541 T HW: 4E0 035 541
Component: TUNER EU/US/RDW H41 0630
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 304KW037552974
Coding: 0000002
Shop #: WSC 02313 785 00200
VCID: 31630EE3A8327AC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 61: Battery Regul. Labels: 4E0-910-181.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 181 A HW: 4E0 915 181
Component: ENERGIEMANAGER H02 0230
Revision: 00000000 Serial number: 00000005308435
Shop #: WSC 01126 444 54503
VCID: 1E39C55FC9ACF54

Subsystem 1 - Part No: 000 915 105 AK
Component: von VA0 1310310192
Coding: 303030393135313035414B56413031333130333130313932
Shop #: WSC 00000 128 00289

5 Faults Found:
02272 - Quiescent Current Stage 1
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 21
Mileage: 133001 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.06
Time: 11:23:23

02273 - Quiescent Current Stage 2
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 60
Mileage: 133001 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.06
Time: 11:26:49

02276 - Quiescent Current Stage 5
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 58
Mileage: 133001 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.06
Time: 11:27:00

02274 - Quiescent Current Stage 3
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 45
Mileage: 133001 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.08
Time: 11:50:52

02277 - Quiescent Current Stage 6
000 - - - Intermittent
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 00100000
Fault Priority: 7
Fault Frequency: 45
Mileage: 133001 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.08
Time: 11:51:02


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 62: Door, Rear Left Labels: 4E0-910-802.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 802 HW: 4E0 959 801 A
Component: Türsteuer.HL BRM005 0110
Coding: 0028196
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: DDBB0253042A2EC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 65: Tire Pressure Labels: 4E0-910-273.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 273 HW: 4E0 907 273
Component: Reifendruck 2 H01 0210
Coding: 0212127
Shop #: WSC 01013 444 58672
VCID: DFC7385B0E263CC

3 Faults Found:
01467 - Front Left Tire Pressure Sensor (G222)
014 - Defective - Intermittent - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 10101110
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 3
Reset counter: 172
Mileage: 135821 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.12.31
Time: 22:32:40

Freeze Frame:
Speed: 21.0 km/h
Voltage: 12.70 V
(no units): 44.0
Temperature: 1.0°C
Temperature: 1.0°C
Temperature: 4.0°C
Temperature: 2.0°C

01477 - System Switched Off
000 - -
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 01100000
Fault Priority: 4
Fault Frequency: 18
Reset counter: 158
Mileage: 137117 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2012.01.12
Time: 01:36:07

Freeze Frame:
Speed: 100.0 km/h
Temperature: 3.0°C
Error Code: 0
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.

01521 - Sensor for Tire Pressure
014 - Defective - MIL ON
Freeze Frame:
Fault Status: 11101110
Fault Priority: 3
Fault Frequency: 1
Reset counter: 67
Mileage: 133084 km
Time Indication: 0
Date: 2011.08.30
Time: 09:16:02

Freeze Frame:
Speed: 0.0 km/h
Temperature: 19.0°C
Error Code: 0
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.
Not Recogn.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 72: Door, Rear Right Labels: 4E0-910-802.lbl
Part No SW: 4E0 910 802 HW: 4E0 959 802 A
Component: Türsteuer.HR BRM005 0110
Coding: 0028196
Shop #: WSC 02311 785 00200
VCID: DDBB0253042A2EC

No fault code found.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Address 75: Telematics Labels: None
Part No SW: 4E0 910 616 HW: 4E0 035 616 A
Component: Telematik USA1 0070
Revision: 00000004 Serial number: 0000ATD3006546
Coding: 0000005
Shop #: WSC 01126 444 54503
VCID: E0C53BA73058034

No fault code found.

End ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Old 05-15-2012, 09:42 AM
  #3  
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Originally Posted by abarmard
Is that easy to use?
Perhaps a view of our interactive manual (http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/main_screen.html) or some of our videos (http://wiki.ross-tech.com/wiki/index.php/Videos) would help your decision process.

In the manual, you can actually click on the screen buttons and see actual screens from vehicles and the sample data that would be shown to you as the user.

The videos are just a means to help you understand how to use the tool.

Does it work on Mac or is only for PC?
As others have told you, you can run on a MAC running Boot Camp.

What is all you can do with this software?
That is a really hard question to answer because it begs what knowledge the user has. The software is able to access and communicate with all diagnostic capable modules in the car. In that communication, the software can display stored Diagnostic Trouble codes and can clear those codes. It can view live measuring values and it allows you to log and graph them. You can use the software to code modules (the process of turning designed in functions on/off). The software allows you to run the basic settings, adaptations and the built in output tests which are required to keep the car running properly and/or to diagnose particular problems with the car.

Do you still need to go to dealer after all?
That will depend on the skills you as the user develop. VCDS (VAG-COM) is not the magic genie. It cannot fix the car by itself. The user has to know how to interpret the information presented and apply the proper corrective actions to get things working as they should.

I hope those answers help with your decision.
__________________
-Bruce-
Ross-Tech, LLC

Last edited by bearthebruce; 05-15-2012 at 09:44 AM.
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