FAQ

Getting Started

QUESTION: I installed the software on more than one PDA, but the activation codes do not work on the other PDA. Why?
ANSWER: You must purchase an additional copy of VAD Mobile if you want to run it on another Palm OS device. Activation keys are only good for a single PDA.

QUESTION: I own a pre-1996 vehicle that has no OBD-II connection. Will VAD Mobile work with this vehicle?
ANSWER: Yes, but you will need an adapter. We are now selling the VAS 5051/52 adapters that will convert the OBD-II interface to the 2x2 interface found in pre-1996 vehicles.

QUESTION: It sure would be great if I could use VAD Mobile as an additional gauge in my car. Is there any way to mount my PDA in my car?
ANSWER: Yes. There are many PDA vehicle mounts available on the market today. VAD will soon have its own custom solution for vehicle mounting a PDA. This product will be offered both in a kit, with the VAD software and cable, and as an accessory. We will produce a dash mount solution customized to fit your specific VW and Audi vehicles seamlessly.

Updates

QUESTION: How do I check my VAD Mobile version number?
ANSWER: To check the version number of VAD Mobile, or the Palm OS version number of your PDA, first start the VAD Mobile application. Access the drop down menu on the top right corner of the first screen and select "About VAD Mobile". Both the VAD Mobile version number and the Palm OS version number will be displayed.

QUESTION: Where can I find updates for the software?
ANSWER: New versions of the software and vehicle database can be found in the “downloads” section at www.vadmobile.com. These files should be saved to your Palm Desktop, then Hot Synced to your PDA from your PC or Mac.

Usage

QUESTION: Do you have any advice on storing VAD Mobile?
ANSWER: Yes. If you plan on keeping your VAD Mobile stored away for occasional use, be sure to keep you PDA battery fresh or the built-in battery charged. If the PDA loses all power for long enough periods, you will have to re-install VAD Mobile and re-activate it. We recommend saving your activation keys in a convenient location in case you need to reload VAD Mobile. We also recommend performing a full system back-up after you have installed VAD Mobile and periodically thereafter.

QUESTION: When I tap Save on the DTC screen, it goes away? Where does the information go?
ANSWER: The Save button disappears to let you know the DTC codes have been saved. The codes are saved as a Memo Pad entry. To view your saved trouble codes, leave the VAD Mobile application and start the Memo Pad application. The trouble codes will be in the Unfiled category.

QUESTION: I want to log measuring block value data so I can study it later or graph it. How do I do this?
ANSWER: While viewing measuring blocks, tap on the Log button. The data you view will be recorded as one or more Memo Pad entries. Data will continue to be logged until you tap on the Log button again. Memo Pad memos have a maximum size of 4kb, so additional entries will be created automatically if you log more than 4kb worth of data. To view the logged data, exit VAD Mobile and start the Memo Pad application. The logged data will be available as one or more Unfiled memos.

QUESTION: How can I graph data?
ANSWER: VAD Mobile supports real time graphing. While viewing Measuring Value Blocks (function 08 on the ECU connection screen), tap on the Graph button, then select the data types you want to view. You can select up to four data types to graph simultaneously. Be sure to adjust the data type range through the Graph->Range pull-down menu item to set the maximum and minimum values that you are interested in viewing.

QUESTION: Why don’t you use commas to separate fields in the data logs?
ANSWER: VAD Mobile is designed for international use. Some parts of the world use a comma instead of a period as a decimal point. The decimal points in data values would then look like field separators corrupting the data. Semi-colons are safer because no region uses them as decimal points.

QUESTION: How accurately does VAD Mobile replicate the behavior of the official VW Group VAG 1551/2 tool?
ANSWER: It replicates very accurately. We went to great lengths to reproduce the values shown on a VAG 1551/2. Other third party VW/Audi diagnostic tools often round numbers differently than the VAG 1551/2 or do not display the same number of significant digits. VAD Mobile rounds values the same way and displays the same number of significant digits as does the VAG 1551/2. Because of this, we believe VAD Mobile is the most accurate third party diagnostic tool for VW Group cars.

QUESTION: Does VAD Mobile support 7-digit codes?
ANSWER: Yes. Another name for this is PIN enabling.

Troubleshooting

QUESTION: When I plug my Palm into my vehicle, it cannot establish a connection. Why?
ANSWER: There are a few reasons this could be happening. First, ensure your vehicle’s battery is connected and charged adequately. Second, ensure the OBD-II end of the connection cable is attached properly and secure. You may try removing and reconnecting both ends of the cable a few times if a connection is not established right away. Third, make sure your vehicle ignition is on. And if you still do not establish a connection, try powering your Palm off, then on, and then restart the VAG software.

QUESTION: The cable that connects my PDA to the vehicle doesn’t seem to be working. How can I check?
ANSWER: Each cable comes with an indicator light that shows communication between the PDA and the vehicle. A solid red light indicates no communication or poor connection. A solid green light indicates proper connection and communication between the PDA and the vehicle. A flashing light indicates data transfer between the PDA and the vehicle.

QUESTION: My Palm battery has died. When I recharged the Palm, the software asked to be re-activated. What do I do?
ANSWER: Please call VAD at the contact number provided. We will confirm your contact information and registration code, then re-activate you license by issuing you new key codes for your software. The whole process only takes a few minutes. Then you will be up and running.