OBD2 Diagnostic Adapters: Buy Now!

I'm currently researching affordable and reliable OBD2 adapters.

What do you think about the products from supplier 1 and supplier 2, which I saw on eBay?
Some people are trying to make their old, cheap laptops more useful by connecting them to inexpensive OBD2 adapters and using free software.
Or is all of this just junk being offered?
What exactly is this mysterious "ELM323" chip? Is it just a rebranded MAX232?

Regards,


Please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English.

Provider names removed - Jan6K

Hi,

Go to http://www.obd-2.eu/ if you want something solid with support.

Best regards,

January.

Hi.

Excerpt from the Terms of Service:

Quote:

Questions about diagnostic adapters that are neither a) based on instructions found on these pages, nor b) from the online shop here will be deleted without comment. I am simply tired of providing support for EB** junk or products from competitors!

Just ask your suppliers.
a) What kind of support you can provide.
b) whether your devices are compatible with VAG-COM version 4040 or later, including version 4090.
c) What the level of CAN bus support is like.

The ELM323 has nothing to do with the MAX232. The ELM is essentially a microcontroller with minimal OBD2 diagnostic software. It communicates with the PC via a simple textual interface, making it incompatible with VAG-COM.
It is impossible to compare the diagnostic functions built into the ELM323 with VAG-COM. The ELM supports a subset of the OBD2 diagnostic protocol, which allows you to check, for example, if an oxygen sensor is defective (if you have an engine control unit with OBD2 support). In VAG vehicles, only the very latest engine control units (diesel) have OBD2 support; gasoline engines have had it for a slightly longer time. Things like key programming and support for all other control units except the engine control unit are not possible with the OBD2 protocol.

To be absolutely clear: While OBD2 is theoretically applicable across different manufacturers, it is only intended for functions related to emissions.

http://shop.dieselschrauber.de/obd-faq.php

Best regards, Rainer.

Oh, sorry, I really put my foot in it there.
It shouldn't happen again.
But if the other parts are that terrible, wouldn't it be a good idea to publish them as a cautionary tale?
I've decided to go with a professional adapter solution after all.
Sure, here's the translation:

"Just which ones?"

Regards,

Klaus.

Hello,

It depends on the intended use. For workshop applications: CAN bus support is a must-have; the interface (RS232 or USB) depends on your laptop. If both are available, I would choose USB because most new laptops only have USB ports.

"Today, a customer called me because the adapter he bought from eBay, which came with VAG-COM Shareware 0.81 (purchased in 2004!), is not compatible with versions 3.112 or 4.040 that he purchased from me."
I can only say: that's just bad luck... contact the seller of your hardware.
It's sad that a) such faulty hardware is even sold and b) I am supposedly indirectly to blame if this stuff doesn't work with the current software releases .
Normally, the 3.112 also works with slower/older adapters. So, if even that doesn't work, I would strongly suggest trying the classic two-transistor, 10-cent hot glue solution .

Best regards, Rainer.

Hello Rainer,

To be more specific, it wasn't stated like that before. If it was, where exactly?
All of the offered adapters are built with a microcontroller chip and will therefore also function with future versions of VAG-COM.
Unfortunately, this kit will not support the CAN bus.
Ich denke ich werde es dann erstmal mit dem Bausatz und einer Shareware Version versuchen. Just for testing purposes.
What is the approximate shipping time?

Best regards, Klaus.

Sorry, I missed it.
The kit uses a level shifter IC.

However, I still have some concerns regarding compatibility with future versions. I've heard from other sources that versions of VAG-COM starting with 4XXX will only support adapters with microcontrollers.
And a level shifter IC is not a microcontroller.
Or am I seeing something wrong here?
However, the product description in the shop states that the kit is compatible with version 4040.
I'm a bit confused right now.
Can someone please explain this to me?

Thank you, Klaus.

Klausen wrote:

Hello Rainer, To be more specific, it wasn't stated like that before. If it was, where?

What?

Klausen wrote:

All offered adapters are built with a microcontroller chip, and therefore also work with future VAG-COM versions. Unfortunately, the kit will not support a CAN bus.

What adapters are available and where can I find them?
Functionality: If essential hardware is missing for a specific future function (which is currently unknown), it won't work. Logically, only functions that the existing hardware can support will be possible in the future.

Klausen wrote:

Ich denke ich werde es dann erstmal mit dem Bausatz und einer Shareware Version versuchen. Just for testing purposes. What is the approximate shipping time? Best regards, Klaus

.
Shipping is processed within one business day after payment confirmation in 80% of cases, within two days in 19% of cases, and in 1% of cases if something significant happens (e.g., house fire, hospitalization).

A level shifter is not a microcontroller. The kit works perfectly with the brand new English VAG-COM version 4090 and is also supplied with it. This 4090 can also be unlocked for the kit; German versions of VAG-COM from other distributors cannot.
However, if future-proofing and new features are important to you, I would recommend a professional system with CAN bus support.

I'm annoyed by the attitude of wanting to have the best, but it shouldn't cost anything.
If you're looking for a cheap adapter that does everything great, comes with excellent support, and has a 2-year hardware warranty, then be consistent and get a Trabant for your car.

Best regards, Rainer.

That with the Trabant would already be a solution.

Specifically, I'm asking where the information about the microcontroller is located.

When I say "all the adapters offered," I naturally mean those from the DiSchr. shop; I don't want to say anything more about any others.

I understand that good quality also comes at a price.

I was just thinking about whether I need the whole package right now or if I should wait and buy it later. At the moment, I only need it to read error codes on my T4.

But isn't it a good idea to inform yourself about all possible aspects before making a purchase? After all, there are already enough dissatisfied customers in every industry.
If I hadn't done a little research, I probably would have already bought some cheap junk from that mail-order company and have it sitting around at home.
That should also be in the best interest of a reputable provider.
Denn nur ein zufriedener Kunde ist auch ein zukünftiger Kunde. Or what?
Exceptions prove the rule.

Best regards, Klaus.

Quote:

Specifically, I meant where it says something about the microcontroller.

What do you mean by that?
"Product descriptions usually state whether or not a microcontroller includes flashable firmware."

Best regards, Rainer.

Yes, sometimes you can't see the forest for the trees.
Now I've also read about the microcontroller.
It's already mentioned further down.
Okay.