I am looking to be able to run full diagnostics AND calibration of the sensors (TPS, O2, etc). I have a Bluedriver which is good for codes and live data but I have reached its limit here. The only shop "nearby" is an hour away 1 way and they charge an arm and a leg. Called 6+ other shops locally and none of them have the computers to work on these x300s. These are the two companies I am looking at, but I wanted to get people's advice before buying because I'm not too great at PC stuff and electronics. Not that I can't muddle my way through it, I've wired a whole engine loom, but any advice is greatly appreciated. Been reading on the forum here and I think I need IDS or a Rotunda 1 VCM?

https://www.jlridssddmongoose.com/id...ose-v138-v131/

https://www.ebay.com/itm/22356902137...&segname=11051

 

The Rotunda VCM is getting REALLY hard to find.(clones are 'iffy')

Good luck and grab one if they come up for sale. (a real one is hard to find)

 

The two links there, are those clones or real software? I figured they were clones but then I don't really know.

 

These are both clones. You are either looking for a Drew Technologies Mongoose, and it will be branded that way, or you're buying a device that will work for a little while and then crap out.

 

A VCM can use IDS software. (DVD42 all the way up to IDS118.5)

A 'Mongoose/Mangoose' needs SDD125 onward. SDD 'should' revert to legacy IDS for older OBDII cars.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/18578674168...CABEgI81fD_BwE

 

You might be somewhat disappointed in what these devices can actually do.

For the XJS, AJ16 engine, it is limited to the following:
1. resetting the TPS (valuable)
2. reorienting the oxygen sensors, no calibration (somewhat useful)
3. calibrating the kickdown switch on the gas pedal (kind of useful)
4. only the PDU can reset the LTFT (not very useful, the LTFT is just an average taken from STFT readings, it does not change anything)

Others may chime in to see if there's anything else that can be done that would be different on the x300

 

most euro shops will still have a blue box kicking around. it can do the tps reset and o2 reorientation

 

I am using the following -
: Dell Latitude D630
: Windows XP Professional with service pack 2/3
: SD/IDS 131.03 ( No later should be used )\
: Computer date no later than Aug. 2012
: Genuine Rotunda VCM (Beware clones ! )
: Will not read my VIN, however after manual entering, system takes me to Legacy. IDS/SDD does not work on my X300 (XJR)
Legacy does all I have required so far, TPS setting & O2 sensor re orientation so happy with my set up.

John Herbert
1996 XJR

 

newer computer running a virtual machine software should work yeah?
emulate an older system running xp.

it can do stuff like look at the security options and all that yeah?

 

Why would you use SDD when WDS and IDS was what was used when your car was young and still in new car warranty?

I have an original VCM and a DELL C620 with XP Pro running IDS 118.5 for all the cars I work on.(same as when I worked at the dealer)

SDD is useless for the 'older' Jaguars.

A Rotunda VCM will be very happy with IDS,

 

SDD will automatically switch to LEGACY IDS once it reads the vin#. Old ids v118 that everyone online keeps looking for is exactly the same as NEW SDD WHEN IT SWITCHES TO LEGACY...
The most important tool is the VCI, the reason the RED-ROTUNDA-VCM1 and the BLUE-TERADYNE-GNA600 work best is because of the obd2 cable pinout and the communication protocols.

If anyone need the VCM1 or GNA600, I'm willing to sell ,both are in good working condition with all cables

 

it starts tabman past the last 6 so you have to enter full vins, you can’t change the vcats, any vehicle after the cutoff can’t be launched in ids like x206 x404 some 350s x356 358 x150 x250…engineering mode is blocked, lots of **** doesn’t work in legacy.

ids 118 and standalone tabman testman bundled in 125 is way faster to get set up than later ones

 

if you start tabman without sdd, yes you will have to input the vin manual because legacy does not search for vin#, if you start with sdd than let sdd switch automatically to legacy ids than you do not have to input last 6 of vin#...
Also you can have the most current sdd and access engineering mode, and no engineering is not blocked at all if you know how to start it, and it can be used without any seed keys....
Also a side note, for 2009-older jag owners, engineering mode is not important because there isnt much you can do with it on these vehicles....
Engineering mode has alot more features can-bus vehicles 2010-newer that can be turned on/off....
Im used to using real paid sdd/pathfinder/cloud from topix, and i still can access engineering mode without any issues...
Im not trying to argue with anyone on this subject, but this what i know and its been tested this way and confirmed working...

 

Once I have more time, I will make a video showing how current SDD will switch to any jaguar legacy 1996-up

 

There is the effect of the serial data protocol number that may have changed between the original ECU design in 1994.5 different then 1996

Without me nailing down the facts of the protocol numbers I an guessing they should be the same

The protocol number is probably related to VIN # needed to be seen by the device

Just spit balling without the facts or experience with the mentioned device

default feature to the correct protocol number can't be assumed as some devices don't

 

That inplement change to the protocol 1994-1996 was done because JAGUAR had to that to comply with new EPA obd2 rules, this same change was was forced on all car makers.
We shouldnt make this complicated, for the average legacy JAG diyer, all what they need is diagnostics adjustments/calibrations and rarely sometimes software updates if hasn't been done already by dealer from prior years ago.
On this forum and other forums there is alot of confusing information about software v118 v130 v131 v125 and so on, don't stress on what software you need or which custom laptop you need...

Laptops?????
If you're using v130-older use any laptop with windows7 32bit or windows xp...
If youre using v131-higher windows7 or windows10 PRO 32bit or 64bit will work....
!!! Sometimes the VCI tool you are using requires you to have 32bit windows for the driver to work correctly, so pay attention to that !!!

VCI Diagnostic tool :-
Best is ROTUNDA-VCM1 or TERADYNE-GNA600
Mongoose works too.
J2534 devices will work too specially older devices.
Also RP1210 devices will work.
!!! DO NOT BUY CHEAP CHINESE DEVICES !!!

*** LETS JUST MAKE THIS SIMPLE AND EASY FOR EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND, LIFE IS ALOT MORE SIMPLE THAN IT SEEMS ***

 

If anyone needs help pm me, I also have VCM1 and GNA600, you can rent or buy.
also have the BOSCH-PATHFINDER and JLR00001 if needed too.

 

10x faster than writing a 17 digit vin. try to start tabman on 164 and last 6 is locked under a seed if you can even get there lol. 90% of the time you get the old splash screen for the WDS and it crashes lol

for a 300/100/308 where everything is in ids mode it’s basically the same exact thing other than writing out a long vin.

with the VID block cars you get kneecapped and forced to SDD on almost all of them except the earliest x202s.

 

Hello Tech JLR, I have a 1995 X-300 that has no OBD II port. like my newer XK8. How did they diagnose these cars when needed? It there another port that I don't know about not located under the left lower dash?

 

You have an XK8 without an OBD2 port?