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OBDSTAR  |  SKU: TCM-005

OBDSTAR (TCM-005) | Bosch (DQ380/381/500) 16-pins TCM – 15-pins DB15 Adapter Cable | Passenger Car

Regular price
€29,95 incl.
€24,75 excl.

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The OBDSTAR TCM-005 connects a 16-pin TCM connector on the vehicle side to a 15-pin DB15 connector on the device side. The cable is designed for Bosch TCM control modules of the DQ380 (0DE), DQ381 (0GC), and DQ500 type, whose connector sits directly on the transmission housing.

These are seven-speed wet-plate DSG transmissions used in high-performance models and heavy-duty variants within the Volkswagen Group. This cable provides direct access to the transmission control module, bypassing the OBD2 port entirely. This approach is intended for operations where standard OBD2 communication doesn't provide sufficient access, such as reading or reprogramming TCM data on MQB and MLB platform vehicles.

The cable establishes a hardware-level connection; the actual operations depend on your programming software. Note the market difference: the DQ380 (0DE) is primarily intended for the Chinese and Asian markets and is rarely found in Europe. The model list below shows the transmission type and production years for each model.

KEY BENEFITS

Three transmission types in one cable — DQ380, DQ381, and DQ500 are all controlled through the same 16-pin connector.
Deeper access than OBD2 — direct connection bypasses the diagnostic port and reaches the transmission control module directly.
MQB and MLB coverage — compatible with Group vehicles on both platforms, including high-performance and heavy-duty models.
Transmission type listed per model — the list shows which transmission (DQ380, DQ381, or DQ500) applies to each model, with production years.

IMPORTANT NOTES

OBDSTAR equipment only — use with diagnostic tools or programmers from other manufacturers is not possible.
No additional vehicle coverage — the cable adds no new procedures; your programmer's software determines what's available for each transmission.
DQ380 is market-specific — the DQ380 (0DE) is primarily for Chinese and Asian markets; use on European vehicles is limited.
Access varies by vehicle — the TCM connector is located on the transmission and accessibility varies; underbody protection or surrounding components may need to be removed.

Applications and Functions

When used with OBDSTAR equipment, the cable supports the following operations on the Bosch transmission control module.

Control units you can access

  • Bosch TCM (DQ380, DQ381, DQ500): directly connected via the 16-pin connector on the transmission housing.
  • No other control units: the cable connects directly to the transmission control module, bypassing the OBD2 port.

What you can do

  • Read TCM data: retrieve current programming data from the control module via the direct 16-pin connection.
  • Write TCM data: rewrite or update software and calibration parameters through the DB15 interface.
  • Identify the transmission: query the software version and hardware identification of the DQ380, DQ381 or DQ500.
  • Work at hardware level: perform operations that are unavailable or limited through the standard OBD2 interface.
  • Important: first determine which transmission type is installed in your vehicle; DQ380, DQ381 and DQ500 units can be mixed within the same model name.

Compatible vehicles and applications

What matters is the Bosch control unit for the DQ380, DQ381 or DQ500 with 16-pin TCM connector, not the vehicle model. The vehicles listed below are equipped with these transmissions, with the transmission type specified for each model. Only confirmed models and production years are included.

Audi:

  • A3 / S3 (8V LCI & 8Y) — 2.0 TFSI / 2.0 TDI: (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Q2 (40 TFSI): (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Q3 (F3) — 40/45 TFSI & 35/40 TDI: (2018–present) — DQ381
  • RS3 (8P / 8V / 8Y): (2011–present) — DQ500
  • RS Q3 (8U / F3): (2013–present) — DQ500
  • TT RS (8J / 8S): (2009–present) — DQ500

Seat / Cupra:

  • Ateca — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Formentor — VZ & 2.0 TDI: (2020–present) — DQ381
  • Leon (5F LCI & KL) — 2.0 TSI / VZ / 2.0 TDI: (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Tarraco — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2018–present) — DQ381

Skoda:

  • Kodiaq — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Octavia (5E LCI & NX) — vRS / 2.0 TDI: (2016–present) — DQ381
  • Superb (3V) — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2015–present) — DQ381

Volkswagen:

  • Arteon — 2.0 BiTDI / 2.0 TSI: (2017–present) — DQ381 / DQ500
  • Golf 7 & 8 (GTI, R, GTD) — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2013–present) — DQ381
  • Passat B8 — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI / 2.0 BiTDI 240hp: (2014–present) — DQ381 / DQ500
  • Tiguan I & II — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2011–present) — DQ380 / DQ381 / DQ500
  • T-Roc — 2.0 TSI / 2.0 TDI: (2017–present) — DQ381

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles:

  • Transporter / Multivan / California T5 Facelift — 2.0 TDI / 2.0 BiTDI: (2010–2015) — DQ500
  • Transporter / Multivan / California T6 / T6.1 — 2.0 TDI / 2.0 BiTDI: (2015–present) — DQ500

Volkswagen (China / Asian Market) — DQ380 (0DE):

  • Golf GTI MK7 — 2.0 TSI EA888: (2015–present)
  • Lamando — 2.0 TSI EA888: (2014–present)
  • Magotan — 2.0 TSI EA888: (2016–present)
  • Sagitar — 2.0 TSI EA888: (2015–present)
  • Teramont — 2.0 TSI EA888: (2017–present)
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Good to know: The TCM connector on the DQ380, DQ381, and DQ500 is mounted directly on the transmission housing; accessibility varies by vehicle and may require partial removal of underbody protection or surrounding components. Verify which transmission type is installed in your vehicle and whether it's a European or Asian specification before ordering.

Package Contents

  • 1x OBDSTAR (TCM-005) | Bosch (DQ380/381/500) 16-pin TCM – 15-pin DB15 Adapter Cable | Passenger Vehicle

Technical Specifications

Specification Description
Brand OBDSTAR
Part Number TCM-005
Type Adapter Cable
Application Direct TCM access for Bosch DQ380, DQ381, and DQ500 transmissions outside the OBD2 port
Vehicle-Side Connection Bosch (DQ380/381/500) 16-pin TCM
Device-Side Connection 15-pin DB15
Control Units Bosch transmission control module (TCM) for DQ380, DQ381, or DQ500
Segment Passenger Cars
Supported Brands Audi, Seat / Cupra, Skoda, Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Volkswagen (China / Asian Market) — DQ380 (0DE)
Model Range 2009–present, varies by model and body type (see model list)
Required to Use OBDSTAR programmer with 15-pin DB15 interface, such as the DC706 with MP001 kit
Additional Requirements Physical access to the TCM connector on the transmission; may require removal of undertray
Weight 0.1 kg