kw1281test: A Free VDS-Pro / VagTacho Alternative

norrinraddhr

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2019
Location
Croatia (EU)
TDI
Golf 4 TDI - 2003 Champ Edition (96kW)
Windows 7 drivers are available for both CH340 and FTDI:
If the FTDI chip is genuine then it's probably better, but there have been problems with fake FTDI chips in cheap Chinese cables: https://www.sevarg.net/2017/03/04/fixing-fake-ftdi-ft232rl-adapters-ssop/
so beware.
Thank you Greg for your explanation and links, very nice and helpful from you.
Probably I would take both, as turbodieseldyke suggested and if the Cable with FTDI Chip doesn't work, I have another to try.
 

4th4

Active member
Joined
Mar 24, 2022
Location
PNW Washington
TDI
2005.1 Jetta Wagon BEW
I have oversized tires on my 2005 MK4 Jetta TDI 5-spd. Will this tool allow me to change the impulse number to get the speedometer and odometer closer to accurate?
Currently its about 8-10 MPH under (according to GPS) but more importantly it under reports on the odometer.

years ago I went down a rabbit hole of trying to access that impulse number and was bumping into dead ends. Eventually I gave up.
 
Last edited:

4th4

Active member
Joined
Mar 24, 2022
Location
PNW Washington
TDI
2005.1 Jetta Wagon BEW
I assume none of the speed impulse coding values available in VCDS are suitable?
If I remember, VCDS only has four or five preset values you can change to. None of these values goes in the right direction. I think they’re meant for smaller tires.
 

P2B

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Location
Toronto & Muskoka, Canada
TDI
2002 Jetta, 2003 Jetta, 2003 Jetta Wagon
If I remember, VCDS only has four or five preset values you can change to. None of these values goes in the right direction. I think they’re meant for smaller tires.
OK. So in theory you could use kw1281test to dump the cluster, then use VCDS to change the distance impulse number, then dump the cluster again. Diff the two files to find the location you need to edit, then experiment with various values until you get it right.
 

Malmen

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2024
Location
Sweden
TDI
Caddy 1.9TDI
Is it possible to get the SKC code from an 2000 VW Caddy MK2 with no cluster to communicate with? I can connect to Immobilizer directly and I can also login (if I have the SKC). I want to add a new key for it. Will I be able to do that with the SKC code and by logging into the immobilizer in VCDS?
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
OK. So in theory you could use kw1281test to dump the cluster, then use VCDS to change the distance impulse number, then dump the cluster again. Diff the two files to find the location you need to edit, then experiment with various values until you get it right.
Distance impulse number and speedometer map are protected by a checksum in VWK501 and VWK503 clusters. Here's how to calculate the right checksum if you've modified either of those in the EEPROM: https://github.com/gmenounos/vwcluster/blob/main/Checksums.md
 

Malmen

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2024
Location
Sweden
TDI
Caddy 1.9TDI
How do I find the baud rate for Immobilizer 25 module or the ECU 1? I'm trying the tool but cannot make it to communicate with either ECU 1 or Immo 25 modules. Tried Baud 9600 and 10400. Will I be able to get my SKC from ECU with this tool? Car is 2000 VW Caddy with no Cluster 17 to communicate with.
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
How do I find the baud rate for Immobilizer 25 module or the ECU 1? I'm trying the tool but cannot make it to communicate with either ECU 1 or Immo 25 modules. Tried Baud 9600 and 10400. Will I be able to get my SKC from ECU with this tool? Car is 2000 VW Caddy with no Cluster 17 to communicate with.
One of those 2 baud rates should work. What kind of cable are you using?
 

Malmen

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2024
Location
Sweden
TDI
Caddy 1.9TDI
I'm using an old VCDS 11(?) cable with Rosstechs VCP drivers. Is there a way to test communication somehow? I am tempted to just buy a immo emulator for $5 but I'd like to do it the "right" way if possible.
 

Limitedblack

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Location
London
TDI
90
Does this work on the Audi A3 8p? Have a car where we want to enable needle sweep, it’s possible through VCDS on next years model, but on this it isn’t (as far as I can see). You can go to block 39 and see options to change from 100 to 101, but it won’t let you save due to it not being an S3. Have read about changing bits in the eeprom, so wondered if KW1281 reads & writes in the same manner for this cluster.
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
Does this work on the Audi A3 8p? Have a car where we want to enable needle sweep, it’s possible through VCDS on next years model, but on this it isn’t (as far as I can see). You can go to block 39 and see options to change from 100 to 101, but it won’t let you save due to it not being an S3. Have read about changing bits in the eeprom, so wondered if KW1281 reads & writes in the same manner for this cluster.
Nope, kw1281test only works with cars that use K-line diagnostics and the A3 8P uses CAN bus: https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/canbus.php
 

Oloxx03

New member
Joined
Mar 15, 2024
Location
Barcelona, Spain
TDI
Seat Leon 1M
Hi! I want to activate the remote windows feature in a Seat Ibiza 6L 1.4TDI, how can I do it? The ID of the CCM is 6Q0 959 433 E, thanks!
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
Does anybody know why I would get unsupported Cluster?
I'm in the US so I don't have easy access to Seat and Skoda clusters. I've bought a few foreign clusters on eBay and that's helped me add support for those, but yours is one that I don't have. There's a "Sponsor this project" link on the kw1281test project page. Donations help me afford more clusters. I've been able to add support for all the ones I own (except for one pesky Audi TT cluster), but there's no way to tell whether I can add support for a cluster until I have at least one.
 

fuhrmann07

New member
Joined
Mar 17, 2024
Location
kelowna, bc
TDI
2004 golf
For the EDC16's in the BEW's any good solutions to get the skc out of a ecu that I want to swap into my car? (tuned)

Looked at vag tacho but it appears to run on older operating systems which is a pain the oldest i have is windows 10..

Only plan on doing this once...

Thanks for the effort here, was able to pull my skc out of the cluster with almost no issues.

Thx
 

Limitedblack

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Location
London
TDI
90
Having small issue on a CCM I am trying to work on (on bench). I can only read the eeprom after I have read the cluster. So if I just type in the correct argument it just comes back with an error from module 46. If I request a read from module 17, then straight after module 46 it reads ok. I am aware of different baud rates of both units. Is this a known issue?

Error seems to always be here:
Args: com2 9600 46 readeeprom 4361

OSVersion: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0

.NET Version: 8.0.0

Culture: en-GB

Opening serial port com2

Sending wakeup message

Wakeup duration: 2 seconds

Reading sync byte

Keyword Lsb $01

Keyword Msb $8A

Protocol is KW 1281 (8N1)

Caught: System.InvalidOperationException Received block end $0F but expected $03

Unhandled exception: System.InvalidOperationException: Received block end $0F but expected $03

at BitFab.KW1281Test.KW1281Dialog.ReceiveBlock() in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\KW1281Dialog.cs:line 392

at BitFab.KW1281Test.KW1281Dialog.ReceiveBlocks() in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\KW1281Dialog.cs:line 351

at BitFab.KW1281Test.KW1281Dialog.Connect() in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\KW1281Dialog.cs:line 91

at BitFab.KW1281Test.Tester.Kwp1281Wakeup(Boolean ) in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\Tester.cs:line 39

at BitFab.KW1281Test.Program.Run(String[]) in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\Program.cs:line 266

at BitFab.KW1281Test.Program.Main(String[]) in C:\Users\gmeno\src\kw1281test\Program.cs:line 29

Version 0.86-beta (https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases)
 

Moses Buckwalter

New member
Joined
Mar 22, 2024
Location
Lancaster, PA
TDI
2002 ALH TDI Golf
First off, thanks for all your amazing work on this! It’s been fun to play around with, and enable things (auto unlock on key removal) that I’ve been wanting forever! The reason I found this is I was looking for a solution for new keys as I just had mine break. I now have 3 new cut keys with fobs. One of the fobs is the original board, swapped to a new housing, along with the original RFID, the other 2 are cut virgin keys. I’ve successfully got all 3 adapted to the immobilizer, but I’m having trouble with the fobs.

The original fob works as normal, I’ve tried the method of turning the ignition to on, locking the door with the new fob, and holding the buttons, and then unlocking and removing the key from the ignition. That works for 1 fob, but the second I do the second fob, the first one stops working, and it just cycles that way. Any help??

I also tried setting the CCM Adaption to 0 0 (and then 1 3) but that didn’t do anything.
 

Moses Buckwalter

New member
Joined
Mar 22, 2024
Location
Lancaster, PA
TDI
2002 ALH TDI Golf
After lots more testing. Here’s where I’m stuck. AdaptationSave returns NAK. Reading and testing is fine, but it won’t save….


Code:
[bellabuckwalter@Bella-Buckwalters-MacBook-ProDesktop%./kw1281test12345678960046AdaptationSave000
KW1281Test: Yesterday's diagnostics...Today.
Version 0.93.0-beta (https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases)
Args: 12345678 9600 46 AdaptationSave 00 0
OSVersion: Unix 10.15.7
.NET Version: 8.0.0
Culture: en-US
Opening FTDI serial port 12345678
Sending wakeup message
Reading sync byte
Keyword Lsb $01
Keyword Msb $8A
Protocol is KW 1281 (8N1)
ECU: 1C0959799C 1Q Komfortgerat HLO 0003
Software Coding 00258, Workshop Code: 00001
Sending AdaptationRead block
Received a NAK.
Sending EndCommunication block
bellabuckwalter@Bella-Buckwalters-MacBook-ProDesktop%
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
After lots more testing. Here’s where I’m stuck. AdaptationSave returns NAK. Reading and testing is fine, but it won’t save….


Code:
[bellabuckwalter@Bella-Buckwalters-MacBook-ProDesktop%./kw1281test12345678960046AdaptationSave000
KW1281Test: Yesterday's diagnostics...Today.
Version 0.93.0-beta (https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases)
Args: 12345678 9600 46 AdaptationSave 00 0
OSVersion: Unix 10.15.7
.NET Version: 8.0.0
Culture: en-US
Opening FTDI serial port 12345678
Sending wakeup message
Reading sync byte
Keyword Lsb $01
Keyword Msb $8A
Protocol is KW 1281 (8N1)
ECU: 1C0959799C 1Q Komfortgerat HLO 0003
Software Coding 00258, Workshop Code: 00001
Sending AdaptationRead block
Received a NAK.
Sending EndCommunication block
bellabuckwalter@Bella-Buckwalters-MacBook-ProDesktop%
See if you get any better results with v0.95-beta: https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases/tag/v0.95-beta
 

Limitedblack

Member
Joined
Dec 9, 2023
Location
London
TDI
90
Does anyone know if a 3B0920949C (eeprom V05), can be programmed to work in a Skoda Octavia (was 1U0920811A). Not sure if it is codes or different hardware on Passat clutter as early VDO. I’m guessing 1J0 bin should work, but can not find a sump of eeprom V07
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
Hi All
I'm after some advice, injector pump failure on my car. I've replaced it with a new one that now needs coding to car.
I came across this thread and hoping it would help me out. I ran the program as described and it returned the following.


Version 0.92-beta (https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases)
Args: COM1 10400 17 GetSKC
OSVersion: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19042.0
.NET Version: 8.0.0
Culture: en-GB
Opening serial port COM1
Sending wakeup message
Reading sync byte
Keyword Lsb $01
Keyword Msb $8A
Protocol is KW 1281 (8N1)
ECU: 4B0920981J KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. VDO D15
Software Coding 04460, Workshop Code: 00000
Sending ReadIdent block
Sending Custom "Read Software Version" blocks
Sending Custom "Unlock Additional Commands" block
Cluster did not return software version.
Unknown cluster software version. EEPROM access will likely fail.
Sending Custom "Need Seed/Key?" block
Sending Custom "Seed request" block
Sending Custom "Need Seed/Key?" block
Failed to unlock cluster.
Saving EEPROM dump to WAUZZZ4B85N015236_____AUZ7Z0D2642100_$0090_eeprom.bin
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $0090, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00A0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00B0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00C0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00D0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00E0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $00F0, Count: $10)
Sending ReadEeprom block (Address: $0100, Count: $0C)

**********************************************************************
*** Warning: Some bytes could not be read and were replaced with 0 ***
**********************************************************************

Saved EEPROM dump to WAUZZZ4B85N015236_____AUZ7Z0D2642100_$0090_eeprom.bin
GetSkc: Unable to find Immobilizer ID in cluster dump.
Unable to determine SKC.
Sending EndCommunication block


any help would be much appreciated.

I've tried contacting auto locksmiths but trying to get one to come out to have a look is near on impossible!

thanks in advance
Pete
New release: https://github.com/gmenounos/kw1281test/releases/tag/v0.96-beta
Can you download that and see if the GetSKC command works any better with your cluster?
Thanks
 

midgetpdx

New member
Joined
Mar 31, 2024
Location
Tucson AZ USA
TDI
GTI mk5
Hi
I have a 2007 GTI mk5 (with VDO cluster, I think)

I installed the RossTech USB with VCP drivers and get the following timeout message:

Args: com4 10400 17 GetSKC
OSVersion: Microsoft Windows NT 10.0.19045.0
.NET Version: 8.0.0
Culture: en-US
Opening serial port com4
Sending wakeup message
Reading sync byte
The operation has timed out.
Retrying wakeup message...
Reading sync byte
The operation has timed out.
Retrying wakeup message...
Reading sync byte
The operation has timed out.
Caught: System.InvalidOperationException Controller did not wake up.
Unhandled exception: System.InvalidOperationException: Controller did not wake up.
at BitFab.KW1281Test.KwpCommon.WakeUp(Byte, Boolean) in /Users/gmenounos/src/kw1281test/KwpCommon.cs:line 62
at BitFab.KW1281Test.Tester.Kwp1281Wakeup(Boolean ) in /Users/gmenounos/src/kw1281test/Tester.cs:line 33
at BitFab.KW1281Test.Tester.GetSkc() in /Users/gmenounos/src/kw1281test/Tester.cs:line 509
at BitFab.KW1281Test.Program.Run(String[]) in /Users/gmenounos/src/kw1281test/Program.cs:line 275
at BitFab.KW1281Test.Program.Main(String[]) in /Users/gmenounos/src/kw1281test/Program.cs:line 31

where should I look next?
Thanks
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
I have a 2007 GTI mk5 (with VDO cluster, I think)
kw1281test won't work with your car because it doesn't use a K-line for diagnostics. From the first page of this discussion:

Q: Will it work with my car?
A: kw1281test works with many VW group cars that use the K-Line for diagnostics. It's been most heavily tested on the VW MKIV Golf/Jetta/Beetle. It will not work on cars that use CAN bus diagnostics such as those listed here.
 

ts54

Member
Joined
Apr 2, 2024
Location
AMS
TDI
2.0
Hi all,
First of all thanks to everybody contributing to this powerful kw1281test tool! Especially @gmenounos for creating and updating it. It's amazing to read all the information in this topic for different clusters.

I have a problem of my own trying to get the SKC for a cluster from my sisters Audi TT. Her old cluster is broken and I ordered a replacement cluster with the exact part number as the original. I did this trick before with a Passat B5 cluster (15 years ago :)) and I was hoping to do the same now. Unfortunately I spent the last 2 days trying to get the SKC without any success...

The details of the cluster are:
Part number: 8N1 919 880 E
Make: Magneti Marelli M73 D26
Year: 03 2000 (March 2000)

I tried VAG Eeprom Programmer 1.19, VAG K + CAN Commander 1.4 and 2.5 and kw1281test.
VAG Eeprom Programmer: Connects successfully, reads the ECU details (name, make and version) and returns error "unknown software version".
VAG K + CAN Commander 1.4 and 2.5: Connects successfully. I can make 2 dumps using mode 'Shadow 3 (TT)' and mode 'Direct'. Both produce a .bin file but when I (try) to read the contents and do a compare with dumps from other clusters I can't figure out the SKC. I attached the .bin file from the 'Direct' command as attachment.
kw1281test: Connects successfully but can't get SKC with GetSKC command. In this topic I found 2 commands to try for a Marelli cluster. I tried 'DumpMarelliMem 14336 2048' and 'DumpMarelliMem 3072 1024'. Only the first command works. The second command throws a timeout during the 'receiving memory dump' step, and reboots the cluster. I attached the .bin file from the first command as well.

I looked at the source code from kw1281test and because I'm a programmer I can read and understand what is happening. What I don't know is the specific knowledge about the kw1281 protocol and the specific implementations for the clusters. I'm willing to try and change something but I don't know what.

Can anybody point me in the right direction or does anybody know another option to get the SKC from this cluster? Perhaps another piece of software (with another cable).

Dump files from cluster: https://we.tl/t-igspncWf7t
 

gmenounos

Vendor
Joined
Jun 26, 2003
Location
Watertown, MA, USA
TDI
'99.5 Golf GLS, '01 Jetta GLX Wagon (TDI conversion)
I have a problem of my own trying to get the SKC for a cluster from my sisters Audi TT. Her old cluster is broken and I ordered a replacement cluster with the exact part number as the original. I did this trick before with a Passat B5 cluster (15 years ago :)) and I was hoping to do the same now. Unfortunately I spent the last 2 days trying to get the SKC without any success...

The details of the cluster are:
Part number: 8N1 919 880 E
Make: Magneti Marelli M73 D26
Year: 03 2000 (March 2000)
Is this car Immo2 or Immo3? If it's Immo2 then the SKC isn't in the cluster - only in the ECU.
 
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