OBDII and Palm

Hello,

I would like to run the software OBDGauge with this adapter on my Palm Tungsten T. Unfortunately, I'm unable to establish communication with the control unit.

My car is a 1996 Golf III TDI, and connecting to it with a laptop using the adapter described with the RS232-USB interface and VAG-COM is not a problem. Communication with the Palm and other RS232 devices also works.

In the menu of OBDGauge, I can choose between the following protocols: ISO, VPW, PWM, and KWP. VW used the KW1281 protocol for my Golf. Can anyone tell me which of the protocols listed above it falls under?

Furthermore, I'm not clear about which baud rate I should use to communicate with the interface. I selected 9600 baud with the RS232 adapter, but with OBDGauge, I can also select 19200 baud.

In addition, you can set a hexadecimal address, which defaults to 25. Can someone tell me what this is about and what I should set it to?

I've tried all sorts of settings, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to establish any communication yet. I hope someone can help me...

Best regards, Alex.

Hi,

Alex K. wrote:

Hello, I would like to run the software OBDGauge with this adapter on my Palm Tungsten T. Unfortunately, I'm unable to establish communication with the control unit. My car is a 1996 Golf III TDI, and connecting to it with a laptop using the adapter described with the RS232-USB interface and VAG-COM is not a problem. Communication with the Palm and other RS232 devices also works. In the menu of OBDGauge, I can choose between the following protocols: ISO, VPW, PWM, and KWP. VW used the KW1281 protocol for my Golf. Can anyone tell me which of the protocols listed above it falls under? Furthermore, I'm not clear about which baud rate I should use to communicate with the interface. I selected 9600 baud with the RS232 adapter, but with OBDGauge, I can also select 19200 baud. In addition, you can set a hexadecimal address, which defaults to 25. Can someone tell me what this is about and what I should set it to? I've tried all sorts of settings, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to establish any communication yet. I hope someone can help me... Best regards, Alex

Do you have the diagnostic adapter with a USB connector or an RS232 connector?

The correct setting would be 'ISO'. However, you won't have any success using an OBD-gauge or any other generic program/tool with your car, because the engine control unit unfortunately doesn't support the OBD2 protocol. Only the VAG protocols know this.

Best regards, Rainer.

Hello Rainer,

I have the interface with the RS232 port.

Then does VW have its own protocol with the KW1281 that OBDGauge doesn't support? That would be annoying... I thought KW1281 was an OBD II protocol.

"Thank you for the clarification, nonetheless..."

Best regards, Alex.

Alex K. wrote:

Hello Rainer, I have the interface with the RS232 port. Then does VW have its own protocol with the KW1281 that OBDGauge doesn't support? That would be annoying... I thought KW1281 was an OBD II protocol. "Thank you for the clarification, nonetheless..." Best regards, Alex

The only thing that "newer" Golf 3 models have is the OBD2 connector. Unfortunately, it doesn't tell you anything about the protocols that the engine control unit understands.

Best regards, Rainer.

Unfortunately, I don't have information about which specific models the Golf III MSG supports. However, the interface you have generally doesn't work with OBD Gauge. You need an ELM interface for that. I used OBD Gauge with my Palm M100 and an ELM323 interface on a Golf IV MJ2000. It's quite nice, but honestly, you don't really need it. Your interface is VAG-COM compatible, which means you'll be able to do a whole lot more with it.

Hello,

I use VAG-COM and find it to be a very great and helpful tool. I was just wondering if I could use the Palm as a small monitor in my car, where I could, for example, read things like boost pressure and air mass during the drive. It's somehow more convenient than constantly looking at the laptop on the passenger seat...

Best regards, Alex.