TheSamba.com :: View topic - VAG-COM on a Mac

Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:45 am

Hi Guys,

A thread last week got me thinking about VAG-COM and how to use it on my MacBook. Being relatively new to VWs, I was initially using my good old OBD-II to diagnose and remedy problems, but I have run up against its limitations. It can't, for instance, clear check engine codes; it can only give me the basic info.

From what I've discovered so far, if you have a PC, VAG-COM is as simple as plugging in a cable after installing some software; It costs at or around $10. It looks as if you can't use it with a Mac, though, unless you have some sort of partition in your computer, or program that allows it to act as a PC. I'm not that computer savvy and that sounds like a PITA.

Last week, jjvincent mentioned that he uses a Hex-Net and Abscate mentioned that he has a AUTEL 800, and that these devices work great. The problem is that these are professional grade devices that cost hundreds of dollars.

I don't have a smartphone (I'm a contrarian, old-fashioned and value my privacy) and I don't have a PC. I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars for a code reader. Is there a cheaper way to use VAG-COM on a Mac that anyone knows of? Also, what else can I do with VAG-COM that I can't with OBD-II?

Fri Feb 17, 2017 6:58 am

You can get OBD Eleven but you'll need an Android. You could buy a used or new Android tablet for really cheap. That should be more than sufficient for what you need.

Google: "OBD Eleven"

Fri Feb 17, 2017 8:00 am

I bought the hex-v2 for $200 +tax and shipping, as well as a cheap used netbook to run it on. So I've spent about $250 all together to do an amazing amount of diagnostics and function changes for my 3 vws. I felt it was well worth it after finally gettting it. There is a good amount of information on the net about how to use it as well.

Fri Feb 17, 2017 9:32 am

Thanks Guys,

My wife has a Samsung Galaxy S-2. Could I connect OBD-Eleven to it? Also, has anyone actually used an OBD-eleven successfully on a Eurovan? In the quick research I did, I saw that it is compatible with many VW models, but I did not see Eurovan listed...

Also, this thing is not readily available in the US, it seems. Only one company (Deutsche Auto Parts) seems to have it here. The only ones on eBay come from Lithuania...

Fri Feb 17, 2017 11:06 am

i have a mac that's always with me and I really didn't want to have two computers. Here's what you do if the two-computer solution isn't ideal.

This is completely free, btw.

Download VirtualBox for mac:

https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/VirtualBox

Then go get the Microsoft Windows install for VirtualBox:

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/

VirtualBox has a little bit of a learning curve to it but if you read (really, read) the prompts and error messages you'll get through it all. The only not-easily-found thing is that you need to "activate" the USB using the icon on VirtualBox status bar's lower right. In other words, plugging a USB into your host/mac doesn't immediately mean it's "plugged in" to the VirtualBox machine.

Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:30 pm

Mvaska,

Thanks. It looks like the Microsoft Windows link you gave me is for a 90 day trial. How much do you have to pay after that? Also, there are several options for which Windows to install. Do you have a suggestion on which one?

Lastly, what kind of VAG-COM connection do you use to plug into the USB? There's tons of them on eBay, but it's hard to know what's good and what's garbage.

Appreciate the tips!

Fri Feb 17, 2017 12:39 pm

It's technically a 90-day trial but it never stops working. After 90 days it will shut down after 30 minutes or so if you haven't purchased a license. I've never found this to inconvenient enough to justify the cash. Most tests take far less than 30 minutes.

I'm using windows 8.

(this whole setup is, by the way, intended for allowing internet engineers to test using various MS products.)

I bought this one and it works fine. I had the same quandary, not wanting to spend serious money but also not wanting to have one that doesn't work.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008HO23OC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's called "DHSHOP USB OBD-II-2 KKL 409.1 OBD2 Cable VAG-COM for VW/AUDI" in case the link above ever breaks.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 7:42 am

If you truly only want 1 computer (Mac) then the "proper" way to do is to install Windows on your mac. Either via bootcamp (no extra cost, just windows) or via a virtual machine (Parallels / vmware).
I run both, Win 7 and Win 10, via Parallels, but I noticed that using Win7 I seem to have less connection drops to the modules than with Win10. Might just be me.

But once you have windows running on the mac using VCDS is a breeze. Just made some mods to a new to me Audi.

Also, mind you that you might be able to pick up a used Windows laptop that does the trick cheaper and with less hassle than installing the software on your mac.

My 2 cents,
Florian
03 MVWK

Sat Feb 18, 2017 1:53 pm

That's correct, bootcamp and an install of windows is the proper/sanctioned-by-apple way to run windows software on a mac.

There are some key advantages to VirtualBox over bootcamp which apply especially well if you don't really need/want windows except for vcds:

1) you do not have to reboot every time to switch between mac/win; you can even "sleep" your win & vcds diag screen and resume later w/i seconds.

2) you can move your entire virtualbox install at will.. to a flash card, new computer, etc.. bootcamp requires permanently dedicated space which is recommended to be 2x a VB win 8 install.

3) with VB i can screengrab all my diagnosis and have them instantly on my main mac desktop for reference later when i'm trying to figure out what on earth is going on by deep searching thesamba. :) with bootcamp you either need special software or the internet to get those files over to the mac side.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 4:25 pm

mvaska,

Speaking of software, will I need to download some to get VCDS function once I follow the steps you mentioned and purchase the USB device? My mac doesn't have a CD drive.

Sat Feb 18, 2017 8:12 pm

BTW, when you use Windows in a virtual environment (e.g. Parallels / VMware) you can access files from "both sides"

Not the cheapest way I am sure but it works well.
Florian 03 MVWK

Sun Feb 19, 2017 4:24 pm

This seems to be an overly complex solution to a simple problem.

On the other hand, it's like a friend of mine who will work overtime to make everything work on his Mac when he could just buy a used Windows laptop for $100 and be done with it. It reminds me of the guy who spent 6 months trying to get the Bosch software and drivers to work on a Mac. This was to reconfigure an ABS unit. Even to this day, it sort of works but my $350 brand new Dell and my 2003 Dell does it without a hitch.

He is also the guy that justified why sending pics via text messaging was stupid and the recessed headphone jack in an iPhone 1 was a brilliant idea. Don't get me wrong, I own lots of Apple products and my son has a Macbook pro but there are times you just need to be a bit more flexible.

Mon Feb 20, 2017 9:15 am

Oh totally agree.
I just happen to have VM running already for other stuff so it was easy. I also have an assortment of windows laptops flying around just can't be bothered waiting for them to boot up and trying to apply software updates.....
Remember the OP wanted ONE computer.
The easiest / fastest is getting an retired Windows laptop as long as it has USB ports and runs some software from this century (as you said, 100 bucks). Since windows machines usually get pretty obsolete after 3 years, it shouldn't be a problem to find one.

Florian 03 MVWK

Sat Feb 25, 2017 11:12 am

Get a cheap thinkpad x60 or similar, mine was $60, means I don't get oily handprints on my nice shiney mac, or risk damaging it when I drop it in the garage.

Also vagcom costs more like $100 than $10 for a legal copy.