Has anyone successfully used the original Davina - not Davina2 - with the SDD around V130? It was originally approved for this purpose by Jaguar. The DLL I have - DA2253432.dll - is for the Davina2. It does not work with the original Davina. I believe the Davina2 dropped off the capability of communicating with the pre 2005 cars so its DLL is incompatible with the one that was approved by Jaguar.
Thanks for any help with acquiring the correct DLL.

 

What is a Davina?

 

The Davina is a J2534 Pass-thru serial communication interface. It was one of the three devices approved by Jaguar, as a less expensive alternate to their VCM, as the interface between computer and vehicle modules. I believe these were introduced around 2003/2004.
It was manufactured by Diagnostic Associates, and functioned with the X350 until the 2005 change. With the correct DLL it will work until the end of X350 production. The Davina2 was introduced for later cars and I do not believe it works on pre 2005.
A competing device was the Mongoose by Drew Tech. Most are more aware of the Mongoose which also worked with pre 2005 cars. They then came out with the updated Mongoose Pro, which like the Davina2, lost the ability to work with the earlier cars.

 

Actually the "Users of the IDS/SDD platform will be able choose from a range of new, lower cost VCI devices" as of March 2011. (according to Jaguar ADMIN TSB 1-242)

More info you.

bob

 

Davina is one of the few communication interface devices that were developed for Jaguar to replace/complement the VCM.
The Mongoose (now Pro) was developed by Drew Tech, and Davina is one of the few others.
Doc attached

 

Thanks for the detailed explanation.

 

All good history information. Jaguar approved the Davina and others in 2011. However the Davina was available as early as 2007 and possibly before. There were different J2534 interfaces, from Diagnostic Associates, before that. I do not know at which point they were functional with Jaguars. They were working on/producing interfaces as early as 2003.

 

Not sure why once the cars are 10 years old the OEM's (especially those with a small number of cars sold) don't release the software to public domain and allow public to see all repair manuals and TSB on-line. Hyundai does for even newer models. I know the dealers make money on repairs but they don't want to deal with older cars. Allowing this would make the cars cheaper to repair propping up their resale value. The higher resale value of the older cars should translate into higher values for newer used cars, which should allow lower lease pricing to help move newer cars.

 

This is very true. Many are scared off buying Jags because of trying to get functional diagnostic software to the dealer level. I still do not have functional OEM diagnostics for mine. I would have to go to the closest dealer, which is over 100 miles away, to try and get service. It is totally possible they would be hesitant to diagnose/work on a 15 year old vehicle. Besides, one would be paying for training time for the new techs involved!

 

There really is no advantage to any software newer than SDD125.3.
If you are relying on the version to revert to Legacy IDS there will be NO updates beyond IDS 118.5 anyway.

I run IDS 118.5 on a Dell XP computer. I have 2 VCMs so I run IDS 102 on another Dell XP computer.
I have 3 WDS PTUs with one docking station.

I did have a DrewTech Mongoose Pro with SDD 130 that I only used on X100, X308, X200 that had to revert to Legacy IDS so I never learned anything about SDD.
I retired from the dealer in 2006 so I did not care about SDD that was released in 2009.
I sold my DrewTech Mongoose Pro to a forum member here years ago when I got a Rotunda VCM.
Since I only use WDS or IDS I have no need of software past IDS 118.5.
For older cars, IDS is the way to go but you need to find a good-used Rotunda VCM and they are getting harder to find.

bob

bob

 

Thanks for the info on the software progression. I am fairly new to the more modern (2004) Jaguar so am working my way through the IDS SDD minefield. I have the 130 version, which was setup as a VM and easy to download and install. I looked through the files and IDS still seems to be complete in that version, as legacy fallback, although as you indicated, no updates for files beyond the 118 version. As far as I can tell it should work on the 2004 even though updates are no longer being put in or needed. Unfortunately the VM version was setup for someone using the Mongoose and only includes its installation files. It does not contain the Davina files which is the device I presently have. I believe the Rotunda went the same as Davina and Mongoose to their 'version 2' which do not work back to the pre 2005 cars. Since the original Rotunda is not made any more one must buy a used original. One (or all?) on the web advertised as Rotunda is/are Chinese knock offs and may actually be the second version since the Chinese may not be aware the difference,
I will search original for original Davina DLL and also an original Rotunda with the guaranteed original software as alternate - wish me luck!
.

 

PM me for the SDD 125 software if you are interested.

bob

 

Thanks for the response Bob. I have not figured how to PM yet - new to forum! I just finished downloading V125, as I received your message. Not sure if it is the same as you have offered but will install and try it to see if it functions differently than V130. Will let you know if a different download may be better.

 

Releasing the software to the public domain would not be so much for the owner/mechanic more the the independent shop. If the software was out there generic shop level scanners and diagnostic equipment (costing ~$2 - $3K) could include it. Now the scanner OEMs must reverse engine the Jaguar system to offer it on the tools. Not worth it for such a small number of cars. If the source code were available to cost of adding full function diagnostics to generic scanners maybe worthwhile..

 

In actual fact if Jaguar released older version IDS/SDD (say 15 years or more) that was either inexpensive or free, without logon requirements, the original manufacturers of the non-cloned interfaces could keep selling those in quantity. Even if they sell them at prices charged to the dealers they are still in reach for DIYers, with full bug free functionality, and they would sell them in far greater quantity than they had ever done before. The cloned versions would no longer be required with their hit and miss functionality. And the older jags could be DIY maintained or cost effectively be done by indys. Which would increase their second hand value and therefore boost sales of new Jaguars.

 

Just to add to this discussion for reference:

My Autel MaxiSys Elite scan tool can read all proprietary Jaguar DTCs including those for the Body (B-prefix), Chassis (C-) and Network (U-). It can do some bi-directional functions such as releasing the Electronic Park Brake for service, etc. As far as I know it might be able to update an ECM or TCM if I had an active subscription to TOPix, but I haven't tried it. The Autel does not like some earlier cars (X100/X308 and earlier). For example, it works fine with my 2003 XJ8, but it does not like my 2001 XKR. For that car I have to use either my older Launch X431 Pro or SDD.

The most functional version of the Jaguar dealer-level software I have is SDD v131.03. The package I purchased from a U.K seller on eBay came with an extra disc of calibration files. This version reverts to IDS for older cars (X100/X308 and earlier). The calibration files include updates for the ECM, TCM, etc. Firmware updates can be conducted in either IDS or SDD.

I have the Drew Mongoose, Mongoose Pro and Ford VCM, but I tend to mostly use the Mongoose (non-Pro) because it seems to work most reliably on the cars I service. I have never had the opportunity to play around with a Davina so I'm anxious to see if you get yours working.

Cheers,

Don

 

Jaguar didn't write the software and almost certainly do not own the source code, so they would have to start a new deal with its owners - likely horribly expensive! - and they don't have any real need to do it.

 

Thanks for all the information Don.
Autel's site only lists a few of the pre 2005 350/358 modules as being accessible with the Elite. And fewer still as programmable. This may only be a lack of a complete listing on the site. I do not know.
Looks like, for us X350/358 DIY'ers, most bang for the buck would be V131 and an original Mongoose. Full s/w is available for download from a number of sources. It seems fully functional for all a DIY guy would want to do, and even more fore those that want to go whole hog!
Then the problem arises of trying to obtain an original approved Mongoose cable. I have yet to find a non clone for sale and, from what I read, some clones may work to some extent and some not at all. None are trustworthy enough to try flashing major modules.
The Davina, which I have, is obviously a clone since it will not program correctly, although the seller puts it out on their site as the real thing. Most sites with Chinese clones seem to omit the fact that they are in fact clones.

 

The source code for the software does not have to be released. One would simply use the IDS/SDD software currently available. Just the licensing structure would have to be updated. It already is licensed to dealers and Indys.
The J2534 interfaces already are available with their coding included. We do not need clones if the original manufacturers can make money selling the original.

 

That's true except it sounds like the owners of the software would want a payment. And a new licence negotiation. Jaguar probably see no commercial interest in either of those.

Just using what can be obtained currently is likely the best we're going to get.