I am trying to connect to the ECU over the obdII port using this cable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/251088284958 from the "working FTDI cables list". My ECU is a 4b0 907 551L box in a 2000 audi a6. The cable installed the driver for it as soon as it was connected to my computer running windows 8.1 and was recognized by nefmoto as FT232r USB UART. I also already had the FTDI D2xx driver installed from a previous cable I had that would not work. When I tried running a slow init connection here is what I got:

Validated FTDI device is in dumb mode.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Validated FTDI device is in dumb mode.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Validated FTDI device is in dumb mode.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Switching to KWP1281 session.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Switching to KWP2000 session.
Could not open FTDI device.
Validated FTDI device is in dumb mode.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Switching to KWP1281 session.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Switching to KWP2000 session.
Validated FTDI device is in dumb mode.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Switching to KWP1281 session.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected
Connecting...
Starting slow init connection.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x01.
Slow init succeeded.
Failed to read KWP1281 connect info.
Connecting to address 0x11.
Slow init failed.
Disconnected

it succeeds in connecting, but then cannot read the KWP1281 info. I searched around but was unable to find a deffinitive answer other than, "It should work". Ideas?

The ignition was on. 10400 was the lowest baud I tried. I will try 9600 and see. The battery is brand new and on a 12v charger. The car has no immobilizer so I didn't think that unplugging the cluster would help but I will check and see as well.

I just installed a new harness from a 2000 6 speed for the manual swap. Could that be messing it up?

Could be. Might be worth trying it using a bench flasher. Do you have spare ECU to try?

Also, are you sure the ECU you are using is stock?

I don't have a spare ecu right now. I have two K boxes from 2000 manuals on the way so I can hopefully get the car going while I figure out whats wrong. I might try bench flashing just for shits and gigs though.

Also, I have no Vag-com/vcds cable because I thought I would try and save money.  as if that ever happens.