VAG Diagnostic Tools: PDAs, On-Board Computers, VCDS

Hello,

'Does anyone know how to connect a handheld device (like a Palm or PocketPC) to the car's onboard computer (VW Polo)? I've seen this done 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 in advance...

[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 requires, or is it something different?

Regards, Peter.

The first link probably only applies to Palm devices and general OBDII information, so I wasn't really interested in it.

But thank you very much for the second link!

It appears to be a type of VAG-Com clone for a Pocket PC! The interface described there is also very commonly used for DIY VAG-Com setups. Mine is very similar to it.

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 accessible way to use OBDII diagnostics in a pocket-sized format.

Regards, 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 any pin assignments. The connectors are similar to those on an ipaq, but the pin assignments appear to be different.

Jörg.
(now I really have to go ).

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

Regards, 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:

/viewtopic.php?t=6076

If you can wait a little longer, then there will be something exclusive 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 my 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 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...

'The entire issue 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 such cases, proper error handling is essential. The VAG-check is already not bad, but it could be improved!'

'The program is running for me too, but I don't know where to get an adapter to convert the PDA port to a standard serial port (the type used for the notebook cable), or can I even use that?'

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 regular 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 couplers on both ends) for your OBD interface on the PC, you can use the sync cable directly.

By the way, there's a new version of the VAG-Check available, which I haven't tested yet. This version now allows you to create a language file for the screen outputs.

Well, I'd really like to buy a proper sync cable, but I just can't find one for my unusual 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!).

It appears that 'Typhoon' is just a brand name, and it's likely the same model as a 'Liteon Professional PDA1.' Perhaps there's something suitable available under that name.

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 works with the PocketPC, 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 RS 232?