Hi Don,
Interesting, your feedback on the Mongoose and VCM dongles.
Do you mean that your non Pro Mongoose, although slower, is more reliable than the Pro version?
Also do you mean that you prefer working with a Mongoose instead of the VCM (which, I thought was the most reliable and the most powerful, because capable of some programmings the Mongoose could not do)?

 

It may be that I never devoted enough time to getting my VCM working optimally because the Mongoose has worked so reliably for me. My first Mongoose was a clone, and to be honest, it worked really well. But when I faced the need to update modules I was afraid to trust it, so I invested in a genuine Drew Technologies Mongoose, and that has been my go-to VCI. The Mongoose performs significantly faster with SDD v134 and later, but my later versions don't have the calibration files, so I'm still using v131.03 for all programming. SDD 131.03 is definitely the bottleneck in my current system, not the Mongoose.

If the Mongoose ever dies I'll have to get the VCM setup optimized. If I'm just reading and clearing DTCs, I always start with the Autel since it is a lot faster than SDD and I don't have to boot the laptop.

BTW, Autel offers very affordable scan tools that have the same basic Autel software as the MaxiSys models but without the bi-directional capabilities. I have the model MX808 and it's a very nice tool with bi-directional capabilities (though not all the coding capabilities of the MaxiSys). I also have Autel's OBD Bluetooth dongle and MaxiAP app for my Android phone, but I keep forgetting to check to see if it can read B- C- and U-codes on Jags. Torque Pro cannot read those proprietary Jaguar codes.

Cheers,

Don

 

Does anyone know if the title of this thread can be changed? It has far more useful information in it than the original title would suggest. It could be changed to something like: Vehicle Communication Interfaces (VCI) for IDS/SDD Pre V130 including pre 2005 vehicles.

 

Your wish is my command. There's a limit to the number of characters in a title so I had to edit your suggestion to fit.

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks Don.

 

Don,
Want to sell your VCM? I think IDS is on the site for me to download, but I have a 2000 x308 and a 2005 x350 I am tired of waiting for the dealer to debug.

 

No can do. I have to think long term and never know if my Mongoose may bite the bullet some day. But thanks for the offer.

Cheers,

Don

 

As a second option I am looking at the capability of the Autel unit.

Can you see/save/access any of the vehicle ID configs in the FEM/REM's with the Autel for your X350?

Also which Autel model do you have?

Thanks!

 

I have the Autel MaxiSys Elite, which is a fairly expensive tool, especially with all of the proprietary adapters, inspection scope and other add-ons that I purchased. It can usually read module identification and software/firmware versions on most vehicles. I haven't checked to see what it can read from the X350 FEM/REM but I have an '04 here for air suspension work so I'll try to remember to check.

I also have the Autel MaxiCheck MS808 and the Autel AP200 bluetooth adapter that interfaces with my Android phone. These lack much of or all of the bi-directional functionality of the MaxiSys Elite, but I'll try to check to see what they can read.

Cheers,

Don

 

The ICarsoft i930 or similar (LR v1.0) for Jaguar Land Rover is a easy handling and rather cheap tool for reading/erasing Jaguar codes.
Useful to have it residential in the car when not willing to use IDS/SDD with a Mongoose or a VCM

 

The i930 unit is a great bang for the buck deal.
My main complaint is it can't read the engine module in my 04 XJ8.
But the 07's module is not an issue to read.
One difference is number of warm ups since cleared, not available on the 04.
Other info as well, is not available, it reads & clears faults fine, as well as all emission iinfo.

 

I bought an autel Mx 808 Hoping to programme a new key to my 2001 Xj8 as lost original , unfortunately it won’t even do the auto in read and doesn’t have the 2001 cars, only from 2002 on ffs

i can get the ids S/W online but I need a cable I think, anyone know what type and where from ?

 

Jaguar introduced the IDS in 2006 and we got User Manuals and tech info.
I tried to upload the IDS Intro-New Users JLR.pdf and the IDS Training.pdf but the files are too large.
Gus should have them on his site because I sent them to him.
No specific training required if you are familiar with WDS as the WDS version 42 and 43 were the same as IDS version 42 and 43.

Some info here for the VCM and cable hardware.

bob

 

Has anyone else looked into Autoenginuity? I've had one for years. I used it on my 05 Super V8 and my wife's Mercedes S class. It worked well for me. I have both the Jag interface and the Mercedes interface on mine. Cost me $800 at the time but the first repair was a seat belt buckle on the wife's Mercedes throwing an SRS error, dealer charge - $800. Used part $60 so it paid for itself quick. Great on the live data. I was happy with it but I wanted to do some mods so I needed enhanced SDD software for my 07 XK. I bought an original VCM and software which I'll keep until I no longer own my XK.

Anyway, check out their site - depending on what your needs are.... Also it's windows based so if you're looking at handhelds, look elsewhere. You can give them a call and if you have specific needs, ask them. They are upfront and honest about what their tool can and cannot do. I'm to lazy to post mine in the classifieds.

To Bob's point about the IDS manuals, I can load them on my dropbox I think. Personally, I don't think their terribly valuable but you gotta start somewhere. PM me with your email address and I can give you access to download them.

 

Do you have the IDS training guides I mentioned?

 

yes. I couldn't find them on Gus's site so I uploaded them to my dropbox for anyone to access
https://www.dropbox.com/s/hkcz87k6st...20JLR.pdf?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/78q0svqidz...ining.pdf?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/heia4b1jll..._v2.2.pdf?dl=0

PM me with your email address I will give you access to the folder that has all 3 if you cant's get it through the link above.

 

Thanks but I already have all the WDS/IDS training info from attending Jaguar seminars and username/password login from the Jaguar dealer.

It's good to read through every once-in-a-while to refresh the memory if you don't use it everyday like I used to.

I have hundreds of pages of paper documents that are not in electronic media. They are from 'old days' when we got monthly packets of info to put into our 3 ring binders.
Someday I will go through the plastic tubs of binders.

 

Gurus,

I finally sourced a Genuine VCM with cables and am setting up a cheap Panasonic cf-31 Toughbook to dive into my X308 and x350 diags. Problem is I cannot find any download links for IDS/SDD that still work.

If anyone can point me to some spots, please PM me.

Thanks!

 

The best option I know of is SDD v131.03. Search eBay for a U.K. seller that has a package that includes one disc with the program plus an additional disc containing calibration files. This version can reflash modules in your X350, such as the TCM, but it will also revert to IDS when connected to your X308. None of the other versions of SDD that I have will do either of those things.

Cheers,

Don

 

Send me a PM.
I have WDS, IDS and some early SDD.

bob