VAGCOM cable help

[MINIz guy]

So I bought a VAGCOM KKL 409.1 cable off Amazon based of a link from an M5board member. I received it today and could not find any FTDI markings on the board. The wider chip has a Texas Instruments logo and the narrower chip has a WCH logo on it.

Is this cable junk in my case?

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

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http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m191/MINIzguy/IMG-20130702-00040.jpg (http://s104.photobucket.com/user/MINIzguy/media/IMG-20130702-00040.jpg.html)

[KevinMullins]

Circled should be the FTDI chip. The dot represents pin #1.
Are there no markings at all on that chip?

465369

[MINIz guy]

That chip said WCH and some numbers on it. Nothing stating FTDI like in some threads son the forum.

Is it the wrong chip then?

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

[KevinMullins]

What exactly does it say on the chip? (like WCH CH340T)
Can cross reference it to see if it is the same as the FTDI chip. (FTDI is a brand name by the way)

[MINIz guy]

CH340T is it. 202686220 directly under it.

What drivers should I be using if the chip is right? Download link please?

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

[KevinMullins]

You can try the FTDI drivers or try these - http://www.winchiphead.com/download/CH341/CH341SER.ZIP
Didn't it come with a disk or link information or something with drivers?

[MINIz guy]

I downloaded the FTDI drivers and they wouldn't install with the cable.

I did get a CD but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to use the drivers on it as none of the guides on here specified using the CD drivers.

I'll try the download link and see if it installs. I'm guessing this chip will still work as long as I have pins 7 and 8 soldered?

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

[KevinMullins]

none of the guides on here specified using the CD drivers.

I think that's typically if you l know you have the FTDI chip, then use "their" drivers for it.
But if you don't have an FTDI chip...then I dunno the best route honestly.


I'm guessing this chip will still work as long as I have pins 7 and 8 soldered?

Soldering pins 7 & 8 fixes a missing data line and communication loss, but it will not guarantee that you get proper ignition or battery detection.

What year/model cars are you trying to use this on?

[MINIz guy]

Both a 2000 M5 and 2003 X5. I'm trying on the X5 first before I use the 20-pin adapter for the M5.

Edit: Downloaded and installed the drivers you linked me to. They installed correctly this time. However, I still don't get any signal from the battery and ignition. I think I'm going to call it quits with this cable. I ordered an ADS cable for my M5 and will later order another cable to work with the X5.

[StudieJP]

Why do people even bother cheap cables...

Just get a K+DCAN and be done with it!

[KevinMullins]

Because the K+DCAN cables don't work on all vehicles. (ie. older models)

[MINIz guy]

Yea, I'm extremely hesitant on the K+DCAN cables too, and would rather spend less in case it doesn't work.

I got the ADS cable from Gert on the forums. I hope to get it soon so I can diagnose my M5! I'm also looking for either a OBD to ADS adapter to use in conjunction with Gert's cable, or a WORKING cable for a 2003 X5. I'm emailing some Amazon sellers for FTDI chip cables to ensure they work. I got some gift cards for that site so I got to use them some how.

[IcemanBHE]

Gert also makes an DLC/ODB adaptor.

Does a D/K CAN cable not work as ODB when CAN is off?

I sure thought it did.

[KevinMullins]

For OBD yes, for anything ADS then no.
So for even a 2000 model it would be iffy as to what you could actually access, especially when the OBD port itself isn't populated well enough to access much more than the DME.

[MINIz guy]

Gert also makes an DLC/ODB adaptor.

By DLC you mean the OBDII port to 20-pin cable to use with the rest of his interface?

I saw that but it was $35 plus $10 shipping. He even advised me to go to a junkyard and gather the parts if I wanted to save some money.

[KevinMullins]

DLC = Diagnostic Link Connector (the 20 pin port under the hood)

Gerts cable is switchable from ADS and OBD, so it would be good for both of the vehicles you mentioned.
But yes, you will need the 20 pin to OBD adapter in order to use it on your 2003 since it does not have a 20 pin port under the hood.

[StudieJP]

Yea, I'm extremely hesitant on the K+DCAN cables too, and would rather spend less in case it doesn't work.

I got the ADS cable from Gert on the forums. I hope to get it soon so I can diagnose my M5! I'm also looking for either a OBD to ADS adapter to use in conjunction with Gert's cable, or a WORKING cable for a 2003 X5. I'm emailing some Amazon sellers for FTDI chip cables to ensure they work. I got some gift cards for that site so I got to use them some how.

Correction, good K+DCAN work will all cars with a solid K-LINE adapter.
You should check out the guys over at one-stop-elec, they make the best K+DCAN on the market.
They are the most reliable ones on the market aside from the original OMITEC.

An ADS interface is only good if you have the native serial port on your laptop. I recommend a T30 IBM. If you are using a serial to usb connector on top of an ADS unit it will never work properly.

[MINIz guy]

I've got a D630 so no worries on the serial port front.

I'll keep looking for options on a OBD cable. I can just make my own OBD to ADS adapter, but maybe I can find a cable for the same price or cheaper.

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

[StudieJP]

I've got a D630 so no worries on the serial port front.

I'll keep looking for options on a OBD cable. I can just make my own OBD to ADS adapter, but maybe I can find a cable for the same price or cheaper.

Sent from a plane on a treadmill

Aside from my BMW ICOM, I use this ADS unit http://www.one-stop-electronics.com/shop/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=17
Probably just as good as the ICOM as I have no faults with it yet.

[MINIz guy]

You seem to have missed the post stating I bought Gert's interface cable which has had multiple reviews of success on this forum.

The cable you linked to is interesting too. Looks like a good alternative.

Sent from a plane on a treadmill