So, since Rotunda discontinued support for VCM and now moved to VCM II the original Rotunda VCM units can be had for an affordable amount under $400 from ebay auctions. For the x308, thet can do what the dealer does and more.

I have an idea to start a sticky thread where we all can share cumnulative knowledge as to what we can do to our jags with such units and how we can troubleshoot the units. What features can be easily updated and programmed to the car, and if there is any hacks. I know some figured out how to tune using the VCM/IDS files or at least figured out how to delete cats/ load maps from different regions etc.

What do you guys think?

 

So are these VCM's only for engine tuning or can they do things like add keys, other security programming, advanced diagnostics, etc? If so I might have to look into buying one.

Which ones will work with x308's, and will the VCMII not work?

 

I suppose you've just started the thread actually?

Well yes the VCM (the real one, not the crappy clones) is the best interface for working on all Jaguars, not just the older models.

It's the only interface that can reliably reflash an AJ26 or AJ27 PCM (the WDS can too but that's not quite the same is it).

$400 on ebay? You'll be damn lucky... The only source for cables is Bosch/Rotunda and a USB cable is $250, the DLC cable is $150, plus shipping, taxes, etc... so the cables are worth $400 on their own...

One sold last night on ebay.uk for $560 and the usual price is more like $700 or more. (not counting the guy in Poland trying to sell his for $1500 haha).

 

The VCM is the official interface hardware that was issued to Jaguar, Ford, Mazda and eventually Land Rover dealers when the WDS (Genrad GDS3500) was discontinued.

The VCM is the only device that works with the older IDS/SDD software up to version V124, from V125 onward it was possible to use J2534 devices with SDD.

So if you have a VCM, and an appropriate version of IDS or SDD, you can do everything that the dealers could do at that time.

 

Cambo, when I compare with my friends from abroad it seems like we get a lot of stuff cheaper in the US. I've been watching them for a year now and sniping best deals. It takes a bit of learning to distinguish the fakes but you can get them if you look for them. I seen one with a teradyne card go for $450 shipped.

 

Yeah you can get lucky on eBay, you can also get ripped off badly...

The first VCM I ever bought, on eBay, from the US, $450 I recall, when it arrived it was literally blown up, had a massive burnt section on one of the PCB's, was useless...

The second VCM I ever bought, on eBay, from the UK, was about $900 or so but it came with a Toughbook. The pictures showed a genuine VCM, what arrived was a clone.

You really need to be sure of what you're buying...

 

When buying a used but genuine VCM, are there any precautions
such as unregistering them, or resetting them?

 

If you get one that has an expired Ford/Mazda license in it, it will still work just fine with JLR IDS/SDD, it's only blocked on Ford or Mazda IDS. If you really want it's possible to wipe a license out completely, but not necessary if you only want to use it with JLR software.

The firmware in the VCM is different for Ford/Mazda or JLR use. If the VCM has the Ford/Mazda firmware in it, the first time you connect it to JLR IDS/SDD it will automatically update to the correct version.

The biggest things you need to be concerned about when buying a VCM are;

1. It's a genuine one
2. It's actually working correctly on all bus' HS-CAN, MS-CAN, ISO and SCP
3. The cables aren't stuffed

 

This is the one I got, as you know it needed to be fixed, still a good deal.



This was a bundle of 3 that were broken. I wish I scooped it up.



This one was the most recent out of the UK.

 

I used this "key" in my searches, although don't know if clones have compensated by now









Here is mine

 

There are other giveaways for a clone too...

- The label on the top is usually backwards (so the clone VCM points the opposite direction)
- The screws on the black tabs of the clear cover are usually flats on a clone, the originals are hex / allen head

The clone I was lumped with actually had a proper Ford logo on the front, not the crappy one like in your first pic Mr Greve. But the round logo (Mercury?) was the same.

 

Yup thats the Mercury logo

 

Other giveaways are a composite case, no goldplating on the boards, no card slot, markings rubbed off on the chips on the inside.

 

This is an excellent post on he real vs fakes.

VCM Clones and Chinese Knock off's - DONT BE A VICTIM | eBay

 

I have a original ford vcm that needs repair, are you interested in repairing it Adam? I broke a connector taking it apart to.