[newt]

new to the site and want to thank all involved for providing so much useful info. Your photo primer on changing fuel filters on my 2009 tdi jetta was answer to my prayers until I got to the VCDS cable .
This gave rise to the following questions:
1. Am I correct in my research that this tool costs about $350?
2. That amount is for cable and software?
3. Is the software in the cable or is it loaded on to a PC ?
4. It is not Mac compatible?
5. What would happen if I skip the VCDS cycling and just tried to start it up?

I'm up for my 40k service and trying to save on some dealer service cost as best I can
Thanks

 

[Mrryan]

You can get the cheaper micro can cable since you only need CAN BUS capability and not the older K line. The software goes on the PC.

What's VCDS cycling?

Why do you need it to change the fuel filter? Normally you just turn the key to on and you can hear the pump running. That will prime the fuel filter well if you fill it up with fuel first.

Acts as a "dongle". No "Software Activation" required! When used with this interface, VAG-COM is always fully-functional on any PC that meets our requirements

System Requirements:
A 500 MHz or faster PC running Windows 2000, XP, Vista or Windows 7 with an available USB port. Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7 on a 1 GHz (or faster) PC is preferred.
Will there be a Mac or Linux version?

There will be no "native" Mac or Linux versions. The time and effort required to "port" VCDS to these platforms would never be worthwhile.

Linux (Serial versions only, no reports of USB versions working)

One person has gotten VCDS running under Linux using WINE -- click here for details.

A much more recent one: HOW-TO Install VCDS in Ubuntu Linux using Wine

Mac (IBM/Motorola):

Results on IBM/Motorola Power-PC based Macs using Virtual PC vary. Some people have gotten it to work, but sample rates tend to be poor and the sessions tend to drop frequently. This is likely inherent in the overhead and latency inherent in the virtualized environment. Some people have not gotten it to work at all.

Mac (Intel):

Reports from numerous users indicate that VCDS works perfectly on the latest Intel-based Macs when these run Windows XP natively using Boot Camp. We've had a few reports that VCDS does not work with Windows Vista under Boot Camp. Reports from people using Parallels are less favorable, most people who've tried this have not been able to get it to work at all, especially with Parallels builds lower than 3120.

The bottom line:

We do not consider any of these to be "Supported" platforms for VCDS. If you can get VCDS to work on one of these platforms, great. But if it doesn't work, please don't expect us to be able to help you.

 

[newt]

My TDI is a 2009 . I'm changing he fuel fiter as speced by the owers manual at 40,000, as I read the on line tutorial the newer clean TDIs do not activate the fuel pump when when the key is put in the "on"position, which would normally purge the air from the fuel system. the Fuel is cycled without the engine running by the VCDS unit. According to the DYI post this should be done to avoid damage or coding out or something BAD. My Question was really How BAD?
thanksfor the Ross tech info

 

[chittychittybangbang]

Yep, the CRD engines don't run the lift pump (electric fuel tank pump) when you turn the key on, unlike your 2005 and the PD engines.

Diesel fuel is a lubricant and even though there's still plenty of fuel in the system as long as you try to fill the filter before putting it back, there will only be a little air. Nobody knows how bad it is if there's too much air but I can tell you that cavitation is detrimental to the high pressure fuel pump. How bad? Who knows.

 

[newt]

Thanks for the imput . I'll probably cave and have the dealer do the FF change, but I was wonderig, as my FF canister is one with A bleeder valve on top , if anyone has tried to use a vacuum bleeder pump to pull the air out, or wouldn't that pull the air TO the valve?

 

[NJ2dc]

Thanks for the imput . I'll probably cave and have the dealer do the FF change, but I was wonderig, as my FF canister is one with A bleeder valve on top , if anyone has tried to use a vacuum bleeder pump to pull the air out, or wouldn't that pull the air TO the valve?

That's not how the filter works. I believe the bleeder goes to the bottom.

 

[newt]

yeah, looks like that might be the case . I haven't taken it apart yet,but it does look like it pulls from the bottom.
thanks