Will Audi VCDS Cable Work for BMW Coding? - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

bmiller085 · 08-08-2012, 04:53 PM

Does anyone familiar with the Audi VCDS cable and coding software (which, btw, Audi's are loads easier and more enjoyable to code; figured I'd add my $.02 there), know if that same cable will work for BMW coding? The cable is a Dual-K + CAN cable, has the same pins, etc.

The 'BMW cable' I purchased apparently has the blue board inside and I learned that does not work - so, instead of shelling out another how many ever dollars I figured I would ask and try my luck. I haven't tried it yet on my car because I am in the process of installing the needed software, Windows on my Mac, etc. etc.

Any help or experience with this is greatly appreciated!

hpc3 · 08-11-2012, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmiller085

Does anyone familiar with the Audi VCDS cable and coding software (which, btw, Audi's are loads easier and more enjoyable to code; figured I'd add my $.02 there), know if that same cable will work for BMW coding? The cable is a Dual-K + CAN cable, has the same pins, etc.

The 'BMW cable' I purchased apparently has the blue board inside and I learned that does not work - so, instead of shelling out another how many ever dollars I figured I would ask and try my luck. I haven't tried it yet on my car because I am in the process of installing the needed software, Windows on my Mac, etc. etc.

Any help or experience with this is greatly appreciated!

hoping will work as well. Haven't taken delivery of my car yet so don't know... I'll try to read the modules with my Audi/VW cable and NCSE and report back in a month or so. I don't want to have to buy another cable either, doubt it will work but guess we won't know until we try.

I'll also echo we're spoiled by all the Audi/VW toolsets out there for the cars. The BMW community would certainly benefit from a couple of individuals/companies that built tools for end-user diag/checks imo.

Marc R · 08-11-2012, 11:22 AM

I could give it a shot...i have the official VAG COM cable and a 335i over here..

But which program do I need?

smooth1 · 08-11-2012, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc R

I could give it a shot...i have the official VAG COM cable and a 335i over here..

But which program do I need?

You have the VCDS version or the VAG COM KKL version? You can use bimmersoftware.com/BMWLogger-2 to check codes real quick without installing INPA/EDIABAS etc etc etc.

bmiller085 · 08-13-2012, 08:21 AM

Let us know what you find out! I can try tonight as well and will report back (as long as I can get the software downloaded and installed correctly). I have the VCDS cable from Ross-Tech - will keep you posted.

gronberg · 08-15-2012, 02:49 AM

Me as well. LOL. Lots of us with the VCDS cables, but none have tried yet. I probably won't get a chance for a few days- but please update this thread if you try using the cable!

bmiller085 · 08-15-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gronberg

Me as well. LOL. Lots of us with the VCDS cables, but none have tried yet. I probably won't get a chance for a few days- but please update this thread if you try using the cable!

I'm planning on hopefully being able to test this out tonight - will report back!

bmiller085 · 08-15-2012, 07:14 PM

Well, it appears that this may not work...

When going through the steps of installing the NCS Expert files and trying to setup that software, I am getting stuck on the step when going into the Ports setting in Device Manager. The Ross-Tech VCDS cable is not recognized as a Com Port but rather just a USB controller and therefore will not show up as a Com1 under Ports.

Now, I may just not be well-versed enough in Windows (I am a Mac-user and working through Parallels with Windows 7) and I may not know if you can change that to make it a Com Port so if anyone knows of a way, please chime in!

Otherwise, it looks like I may need to get just get the "correct" cable from One-Stop Electronics. Let me know if anyone else finds out otherwise!

Edmond357 · 08-16-2012, 03:13 AM

it should work when you pin PIN7 and PIN8
but at best you buy the KCAN+DCAN Cable
regards

bmiller085 · 08-16-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edmond357

it should work when you pin PIN7 and PIN8
but at best you buy the KCAN+DCAN Cable
regards

Forgive me...what do you mean when you say to "pin PIN7 and PIN8"?

I went ahead and purchased the right cable last night so hopefully it will get here soon. I still have another Audi so I'm keeping the VCDS cable but it would be neat to be able to use it for both Audi and BMW. If not, oh well

hpc3 · 08-16-2012, 10:17 AM

PIN 7/8 are the comm lines. I can't recall which lines/pins these are on the VAG cars.

08-08-2012, 04:53 PM	#1
bmiller085 Private First Class Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 143 iTrader: (3)	Will Audi VCDS Cable Work for BMW Coding? Does anyone familiar with the Audi VCDS cable and coding software (which, btw, Audi's are loads easier and more enjoyable to code; figured I'd add my $.02 there), know if that same cable will work for BMW coding? The cable is a Dual-K + CAN cable, has the same pins, etc. The 'BMW cable' I purchased apparently has the blue board inside and I learned that does not work - so, instead of shelling out another how many ever dollars I figured I would ask and try my luck. I haven't tried it yet on my car because I am in the process of installing the needed software, Windows on my Mac, etc. etc. Any help or experience with this is greatly appreciated! __________________ 2011 E90 335i \| space gray metallic/black dakota \| convenience \| premium \| cold weather \| navigation \| heated steering wheel \| harman/kardon
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08-11-2012, 11:22 AM	#3
Marc R Mr Anderson,we've been expecting you... Drives: 335i Touring Join Date: May 2012 Location: Dept. of Justice Posts: 116 iTrader: (0)	I could give it a shot...i have the official VAG COM cable and a 335i over here.. But which program do I need? __________________ 335i Touring, Le Mans Blue, Oyster, Procede, Riss Racing DP's,19" Miro111's....catback performance exhaust Audi S8 V10 no mods

08-13-2012, 08:21 AM	#5
bmiller085 Private First Class Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 143 iTrader: (3)	Let us know what you find out! I can try tonight as well and will report back (as long as I can get the software downloaded and installed correctly). I have the VCDS cable from Ross-Tech - will keep you posted. __________________ 2011 E90 335i \| space gray metallic/black dakota \| convenience \| premium \| cold weather \| navigation \| heated steering wheel \| harman/kardon

08-15-2012, 07:14 PM	#8
bmiller085 Private First Class Drives: 2011 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 143 iTrader: (3)	Well, it appears that this may not work... When going through the steps of installing the NCS Expert files and trying to setup that software, I am getting stuck on the step when going into the Ports setting in Device Manager. The Ross-Tech VCDS cable is not recognized as a Com Port but rather just a USB controller and therefore will not show up as a Com1 under Ports. Now, I may just not be well-versed enough in Windows (I am a Mac-user and working through Parallels with Windows 7) and I may not know if you can change that to make it a Com Port so if anyone knows of a way, please chime in! Otherwise, it looks like I may need to get just get the "correct" cable from One-Stop Electronics. Let me know if anyone else finds out otherwise! __________________ 2011 E90 335i \| space gray metallic/black dakota \| convenience \| premium \| cold weather \| navigation \| heated steering wheel \| harman/kardon

08-16-2012, 10:17 AM	#11
hpc3 Second Lieutenant Drives: '13 M3 ZCP 6sp Join Date: May 2008 Location: Carolinas Posts: 204 iTrader: (0)	PIN 7/8 are the comm lines. I can't recall which lines/pins these are on the VAG cars. __________________ '13 E92 M3 - SG/FR ZCP 6sp with sunroof -and- wood (old fart edition), Born on 07/04/12, PCD September 5th, 2012

08-15-2012, 02:49 AM	#6
gronberg New Member Drives: Audi S4 Avant, e92 335i Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 29 iTrader: (0)	Me as well. LOL. Lots of us with the VCDS cables, but none have tried yet. I probably won't get a chance for a few days- but please update this thread if you try using the cable!

08-16-2012, 03:13 AM	#9
Edmond357 New Member Drives: 330i E90 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Switzerland Posts: 15 iTrader: (0)	it should work when you pin PIN7 and PIN8 but at best you buy the KCAN+DCAN Cable regards

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