JD Stoban

I just spoke to the owner of an independent garage who said that Audi does not release diagnostic software to independents. He said he does not have VAG software, he has replicated VAG that was reverse engineered. He said the software the Audi dealers have may be able to pick up a few more things than his does.

This doesn't add up with what I've read here, that anybody can buy the Ross-tech software.

Any comments about "replicated VAG that was reverse engineered" and the availability of the software to independents?

JimR

The actual OBD-II error codes are mandated by EPA regulations to be released by the vehicle maunfacturer. You can download them from the Bentley Publishers site.

I'm no expect on the VAG tool, but VAG-COM looks pretty darn good to me. I'm sure they lag a little on minutia and the latest twists and tricks on the most recent model cars.

Wrench turner who hasn't caught up with the modern era? I don't know.

WClark

Uwe has developed his tool over several years of reverse engineering. I doubt Audi was any help at all.

I am not sure what is meant by diagnostic software. I think most of the Audi stuff self tests or runs an internal diagnostic upon command from a VAG tool like VAG-COM.

PaulW

That is where ross-tech came in. I think the guy that started the development and had a cheap scan tool (something like $400) died and nobody carried on.

Uwe Ross might of been involved in the development, I'm not sure. But then he developed ross-tech and it does everything the VAG software does, plus more and easier.

Tell the guy to go to ross-tech.com, it's $200.

pw

JimR

I was reading the VAG-COM FAQ last night, looking for an answer to a problem, and came across this:

<a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/faq_1.html#VWTool_Upgrade">Q: I already have VWTool / VDS-PRO, why would I want to upgrade?</a>

BTW, I found the answer to my problem in the FAQ. Remember, boys and girls, when in doubt, RTFM. (Read The <b>Friendly</b> Manual).

taga8

OBD-II is probably 5% of what the Ross-tech does. OBD-II was brought about to have a universal diagnostic tool. The Ross-tech actually pulls diagnostic codes from different modules and allows changes to values that are stored in memory. The ross-tech software is awesome, from looking at the bently, it is far superior to the vag tools.