AI Communication Issues Despite Adjusted CHAR INT Value

Hello everyone,

Here, we're talking about using VAG-COM (hobby version) on an Audi A6 C4 TDI with the AEL engine.

Today I received my VAG-COM authorization and, of course, I wanted to test it out right away. Everything seems to be working great, except for the usual communication problems with the instrument cluster.
I've now tested all the CHAR INT values between 1 and 9 with the AI, but it still doesn't work. I have a notebook with a 600 series processor.
What could that be? What CHAR INT value did you C4 drivers set? I don't want to just keep testing with random values without a purpose... According to the manual, faster PCs should use a higher value, while slower PCs should use a lower value. But what constitutes a "faster" PC in this case, and what would be an appropriate high value?

Somewhere, I read something about that... but I just can't find it again .


Thank you for your tips.

Regards,
Wool.

What kind of errors do you encounter? Are there absolutely no connections, or are there too many communication errors?

-Uwe-

Too many communication errors.

I'm going to disconnect the AI from the power supply for about an hour sometime in the next few days. Maybe that will help... but if you have another idea, I certainly wouldn't be against it.


Regards,
Wool.

Hi there,
I once read somewhere that certain C4 AI accelerators are particularly prone to issues with cold solder joints. I don't know if this was only a problem during the A100 era, or whether it also occurred when they were still called A6; however, there are apparently people who have carefully re-soldered everything, and since then they can communicate with the AI accelerator relatively smoothly.

Regards,
Olli.

Hi Olli,

I've also read about that recently. It seems there might be some truth to it.
Thank you for the tip.
If disconnecting the AI doesn't work, I'll try testing that out.
Once I have a result, I will definitely share it.
Okay, see you then...


Regards,
Wool.

Before you start using the soldering iron, verschandeln the connector contacts on the instrument cluster, especially the connector where the K-wire connects to the instrument cluster.

-Uwe-

Okay Uwe, I'll verschandeln and test it first before I start soldering.
I will then verschandeln all the contacts. To my shame, I don't know which is the K-line...

I should have the results by Sunday at the latest. I'll post them then.


Regards,
Wool.

Hello, in this instrument cluster, you can only make codings and adjustments. There are no available data blocks, and the fault memory cannot be read because the instrument cluster is too old. This functionality is available starting with the Audi A6 4B models.

Best regards,

Thomas Falke.

Hi Thomas,

Thank you for your comment/suggestion.
I actually only wanted to use the AI to reset the corresponding intervals. However, since there's no connection with the AI, I inquired about it. Let's see what I can find out...

Regards,
Wool.

SO. Heute habe ich das KI mal für ne Stunde komplett abgeklemmt. Das hat nichts gebracht. Dann habe ich mal die Kontakte gereinigt, soweit ich da herangekommen bin. Nothing!
Okay, I guess I'll have to fire up my soldering iron now... But it will probably be a few more days before I have time to do that. I'll revive this thread when I have new results.
Otherwise, I'll have to take it to the friendly service center every three months to have the AI reset... even though it really annoys me.
Why doesn't it work with a 1551 and with VAG-COM?


Regards,
wool

Why doesn't it work with a 1551 and with VAG-COM?

If you're having trouble with the 1551, it's probably related to your interface.

Theresias wrote:

wolle wrote: Why doesn't it work with a 1551 and with VAG-COM? If it's related to the 1551, then it's probably due to your interface...

I have personally tested the interface. However, it is a "simple" interface, which means the issue might also be related to a timing problem in Windows.

Best regards, Rainer.

Uhhhhh... ah... ah...
Windows timing problem? What's that?
What can I do about it? I have Windows 98 running on a 600 series notebook with currently 128MB of RAM, but I'm looking to upgrade the memory.

Well... and what does "stupid interface" mean?
Is there a "smart" interface available, and what is the cost? Is it possible to exchange it if the problems cannot be resolved otherwise?

Okay, okay, a lot of questions, but it's important to me that I can fully utilize everything and don't have to settle for compromises.

Therefore, I ask for your understanding...


Best regards and have a lovely Sunday.
Wool.

Hello,

"A dumb interface" means that the diagnostic protocols are not handled by the interface itself, but rather by VAG-COM. Have you checked the manual? There's a section called "Troubleshooting."
No antivirus software or other background programs running?

I can offer you the opportunity to test one of our professional adapters (prices and descriptions are available in the shop) to see if it works with your AI system. If it does, we can then arrange an exchange.
I would charge for the existing license.

Best regards, Rainer.

@Rainer,

I read about the background programs, but nothing else seems to be running besides VAG-COM. Not yet, anyway. I also plan to use the laptop for internet access, and then with an external hard drive.

Uwe once wrote to me that the AI (artificial intelligence) unit might need cleaning at the pins and that I should check for broken cables. I've already cleaned it, but I'm going to take it out again and examine everything more closely, including the solder joints.
Uwe also gave me the value for the baud rate. I'll manually set that and try it out. If none of this works, I'll get back to you. I'll try to resolve this quickly.

Thank you very much for the offer.

Regards,
Wool.

OKAY!
With a HEX interface, everything is fine.
In my opinion, it can't be due to cable breaks or cold solder joints, because if that were the case, it wouldn't work with a HEX either.
I'm not going to tinker with my AI.

Conclusion:

Disconnect from all connections for 1.5 hours: No improvement.
Cleaning the contacts: No improvement.
HEX Interface: Everything is fine.



Regards,
Wool.