- Joined
- May 16, 2014
- Messages
- 5,469
- Reaction score
- 5,935
- Location
- Melbourne, Australia
- VCDS Serial number
- C?ID=194404
I've had lots of interesting interactions with professional workshop folk that use VCDS, but a not uncommon topic of discussion since HEX-NET was first released is the number of times that staff forget to remove the dongle before the client collects his/her vehicle. Many use HEX-NET without the cable connection for convenience and on lots of VAG model cars, the OBD port faces down towards the floor-pan. These factors are the principal contributors to the problem
Of course the forgetfulness of staff is not a criticism of the product (it's clearly a breach of workshop protocol) - however, retrieval of an expensive and critical tool can be a not-insignificant nuisance to workshop operations.
Anyhow, I'm not a professional and I thought nothing more of the problem until last week when I did exactly the same thing! It was entirely my fault and unfortunately the car owner lived across town (because it was my error, I collected the dongle).
So- I vowed never to repeat my error and to help with my new conviction, I added a very simple modification to my VCDS dongle like this:
As I have said, this is very simple mod - with parts sourced from my junk-box. I then connect a lanyard to key-ring which hangs down as a visual prompt that the dongle is still connected. The contraption also aids in the removal of the dongle (not that this is a big problem without the mod)
Yes, I need a screwdriver in those instances when I need to connect the USB cable - it would be better if I could find a small M3 screw with a knurled head that held the solder-lug captive, but this ain't a big issue.
Anyhow - I present the idea in the hope that it helps others to not commit my mistake!!
Don
PS: further suggestion - my lanyard now has my return contact details (crudely) written in big font
Of course the forgetfulness of staff is not a criticism of the product (it's clearly a breach of workshop protocol) - however, retrieval of an expensive and critical tool can be a not-insignificant nuisance to workshop operations.
Anyhow, I'm not a professional and I thought nothing more of the problem until last week when I did exactly the same thing! It was entirely my fault and unfortunately the car owner lived across town (because it was my error, I collected the dongle).
So- I vowed never to repeat my error and to help with my new conviction, I added a very simple modification to my VCDS dongle like this:
As I have said, this is very simple mod - with parts sourced from my junk-box. I then connect a lanyard to key-ring which hangs down as a visual prompt that the dongle is still connected. The contraption also aids in the removal of the dongle (not that this is a big problem without the mod)
Yes, I need a screwdriver in those instances when I need to connect the USB cable - it would be better if I could find a small M3 screw with a knurled head that held the solder-lug captive, but this ain't a big issue.
Anyhow - I present the idea in the hope that it helps others to not commit my mistake!!
Don
PS: further suggestion - my lanyard now has my return contact details (crudely) written in big font
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. Or maybe US providers can't accommodate Australia's new Goods and Services Tax (GST) laws that require the seller to collect the tax and return the amount to our tax office!!
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