James P.

Hopefully this isn't a dumb question but I've never read about anyone making changes to their ECU setup other than doing things like re-programming the remotes or reseting throttle stuff.

Is a VAG tool mainly for read-only information ?

It seems to me that it would be much cheaper to be able to "switch" a performance setup vs stock setup with a VAG tool instead of doing the whole chipped ECU deal + spare.

APR's EMCS solution is great, but I was just thinking of alternatives.

Thanks.

SmokinS4™

APRs user-reprogramming cable allows the owner of the chip to update the chip, but APR actually puts in the features such as stock,chipped,valet,race gas, throttle-body reset, error code reset.

The Ross-tech VAG tool was designed to plug into the standard OBD II emissions monitoring area. But Audi/VW/Skoda/others also use it for some reprogramming features.

Right now GIAC is coming out with a multi-program feature, but I believe it's a dealer update thing...unlike APR.

Do a search from today on the new GIAC chip feature...I posted an email from them this afternoon.

or email me.

George @ BostonAudi

The stock ECU can be flash programmed from the VAG port. Thats why everyone puts "encryption" boards in the ECU -- otherwise the dealer could just reflash over their code. There's no reason tuners couldn't sell dongles that code the ECU through the port the way BMW tuners do, but then you can program your friends car too.

Clever way to prevent copying, although a year or two ago there was talk that one of the chip companies was running stolen code.

Personally I think it sucks they don't do that -- it'd be easier to get back to stock undetectibly if you could just reflash the ECU.

SmokinS4™

that's why I said PRESENTLY =)