Combination Instrument: Features & Benefits

Hello.

I have a question about VAG-COM; I just bought it and need your help.

"No connection to the instrument cluster (Channel 17), unable to communicate with the control unit."

VW Golf 3 Variant, Syncro TDI, year 1998, engine code AHU (also not applicable to Polo models from 1997 with engine codes AGD or SDI).

Please help.

Best regards, from VIENNA - Tomsyncro.

These 'older' combination instrument panels do not support diagnostics.

Regards,
Private individual who once tinkered with their own Golf3.

Hello and thank you for the quick response.

Sure, here is the translation of the text from German to English:

"Best regards,
tomsyncro"

hello,

Come and see my Audi A6 V6 TDI, manufactured in September 2000.
not even into the instrument cluster.

Is he perhaps too old, or is it something else?
'Regarding the interface settings... I don't know.'
I've tried almost everything, but it just won't work!
I have the 232MAIK interface.

Thank you in advance.
Nolde.

Apparently, no MAX232 adapters work with the newer combination devices from 2000 onwards. I also very often get the error message 'Can't sync baud rate' for some reason.

But is it really necessary to buy an interface for 400 euros? Surely there must be a cheaper option.

Does anyone here have a diagnostic interface, perhaps a cheap one like a self-built one, that can easily access the instrument cluster?

Greetings.

I haven't experienced any problems with MAX-232 adapters on these ECUs. Our own simple adapters, which were based on the MAX-232 (and which we no longer sell), worked perfectly. However, they also used proper K-Line transceiver chips on the car side. What do you have there?

Whether the problem lies with the adapters or your computer is a different question. Have you tried using it with another computer? Or with a different car?

-Uwe-

P.S.: If you already have a VAG-COM license, upgrading to a HEX-COM costs less than €200 (including shipping within Europe via FedEx), not €400.

'In my Passat (built in 2001), the Maiks 232 adapter works without any problems and connects flawlessly, without requiring any adjustments to the basic settings in VAG-COM! It works regardless of which control unit is selected.'

Hi,

I can also easily access the instrument cluster in my '98 A3 using hobby adapters based on the MAX232, which I purchased from an online store. I haven't changed anything in the basic settings of VAG-COM.

Regards, Rainer.
PS: Interface Upgrade for VCDS

Hi!

Unfortunately, I can't tell you exactly what components are inside my diagnostic adapter because it's covered in hot glue, and all that's visible besides a MAX323 and a (likely) SN 7407.

The problem could also be due to my laptop, which doesn't have a COM port, and I'm using a USB 2 serial adapter from Prolific. I've already downloaded the latest drivers and set the interface to 38400 baud, 8-N-1, but unfortunately, nothing has helped so far.

'Yes, I have a registered and legal VAG-COM device. If everything else fails, I'll probably end up having to buy a HEX-COM because I can't access the instrument cluster (IC) in any of my vehicles. Everything else works fine – the engine control unit, ABS, etc. – but never the IC.'

Greetings.

We consider Serial<->USB 'adapters' to be UNRELIABLE (and 'unsupported') because they often don't work correctly at certain baud rates and always have a lot of latency. Try using a PC with a real COM port; I think that will solve the problem.

-Uwe-

P.S.: If you don't have a serial interface, you want a HEX-USB, not a HEX-COM...

I can only agree with Uwe on that...
http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/product_info.php/products_id/45

Best regards, Rainer.