PDAs and onboard computers, VAG check, VAG-COM, VCDS

Hello,

Does anyone perhaps know how to connect a handheld device (like a Palm or PocketPC) to the car's onboard computer (VW Polo)? I've seen this used frequently on TV in reports about fuel efficiency, and I'd like to use my PDA as an electronic logbook for my driving.

Thank you very much.

[Translating...]http://www.arlab.it/home.html

@ G3TDI

Is there a German version available? Is the adapter described an adapter module, like the one VAG COM also requires, or is this something else entirely?

Greetings, Peter.

The first link probably only applies to Palm devices and general OBDII, which is why I wasn't particularly interested in it.

But thank you very much for the second link!

This appears to be a type of VAG-Com clone for a Pocket PC! The interface described there is also very commonly used for creating custom VAG-Com setups. Mine is very similar to this one.

Coincidentally, I ordered a serial cable yesterday for my Pocket PC, intending to connect it to my S25 handheld device via its serial cable, as the S25 is unfortunately incompatible with newer IRDA adapters.

Hopefully, it will work for me, and I can't wait for the cable to arrive!

Jörg.

Hello Jörg!

What PDA are you using? Please let me know when it works. It would be really great to have a more easily accessible way to use OBDII diagnostics in a pocket-sized format.

Greetings, Peter.

Which PDA do you use?

A Medion from the Aldi navigation package...
Also known as Yakumo Delta, or Viewsonic V35, or Mitak Mio 338, or...
Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a pinout diagram anywhere. The connectors are similar to those on the ipaq, but the pinout is apparently different.

Jörg.
(now I have to go ).

Are there any experiences with branded devices that already work with VAG-COM?

Greetings, Peter.

As far as I know, VAG-COM is not available for PDAs! And if I remember correctly, there shouldn't be anything like that! Please check it out:

Okay, I'm ready. Please provide the German text you want me to translate.

If you can wait a little longer, then it will be available exclusively for diesel enthusiasts!

I just tested the program from http://www.arlab.it/home.html relatively successfully with my generic device. The connection works with my simple interface on the Golf 3 AFN about as well as with VAG-Com: The setup takes forever, and occasionally, the connection drops. Maybe I'll build a better interface after all...

I just tested the program relatively successfully with my generic device. The connection works with my simple interface on the Golf 3 AFN about as well as with VAG-Com: The setup takes forever, and occasionally the connection drops. Perhaps I will build a better interface again...http://www.arlab.it/home.html

'The whole thing isn't necessarily dependent on the interface itself! The timing of the interface, its sampling rate, etc., play a crucial role. I've experimented and tested. In these cases, you need proper error handling. The VAG-check is already not bad, but it could be improved!'

'The program is running on my system as well, but I'm not sure where to find an adapter to convert the PDA port to a standard serial port (the type used for the notebook cable), or if I can even use that type of cable.'

Hello!

You can't use a USB cable/cradle because a PPC is only a client and not a host. (If that's what you meant.)

I also bought a serial sync cable. This cable normally connects the serial port of the PPC (which is in the same connector as the USB) to the serial port of the PC. So, it's a null modem cable. However, since I built my OBD interface to work with a standard modem cable (extension, connector, and coupler), I now need an additional null modem cable so that the swapped wires (read/write) from this null modem cable can be swapped again. If you are using a null modem cable (with connectors on both ends) for your OBD interface on your PC, you can use the sync cable directly.

By the way, there's a new version of the VAG-Check available recently, but I haven't tested it yet. Now, it is also possible to create a language file for the screen output.

Well, I'd really like to buy a proper sync cable, but I just can't find one for my oddball Typhoon 4500sd.

There was no cable available for Medion (just a label), but it was likely available for the structurally identical Yakumo (also just a label) and Mitac (manufacturer!).

Apparently, 'Typhoon' is just a brand name, and it's likely the same device as the 'Liteon Professional PDA1.' Maybe there's something suitable there...

Here's a forum for these PDAs:

http://www.ppc-welt-community.info/Community/forumdisplay.php?forumid=119

That's quite an interesting thing.

I'll see how much Siemens will charge for the cable for my Loox600 .

So, I can directly connect my existing interface there? (It's connected with a serial cable that has connectors on both ends.)

Unfortunately, the interface isn't great; for example, it's not possible to log into the engine control unit with it while the engine is running.

Well, if this thing with the PocketPC works out, I'll treat myself to a new interface.

That's beautiful...

@Mc_Givertechnik:

The language file is a regular text file.

You can simply rephrase it.

Has anyone found a PDA adapter for RS232?