VAGCOM

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Joined
24 Nov 2003
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Location
Manchester
Does anyone have any experience of using VAGCOM to read codes from VAG cars?

Is it pretty easy to use? Looking to get one to read fault codes from my dads VW.
 
yeah i use one on my car really easy to use.

also a lot of other useful functions ie assistance in bleeding abs brakes etc
 
Simple as that really, just run the auto scan and it scans every module it finds. Some will be old codes that haven't been cleared so It may be ideal to clear the codes and then do it again a few days later.

Make sure the ignition is on stage two when performing the scans :)
 
It is a piece of cake, even a numpty like me can use it.

It even says "these are safe" on the options that you can't mess up such as fault code reading :p

If you have the free version it will only describe the first fault after that it just gives the codes but there is a great ross tech wiki out there on the net which has all the codes listed with what they mean and likely solutions.

It has saved me a fortune on my car with its regular niggles.
 
I keep meaning to get one of these. Would some kind soul mind pointing me in the right direction for an appropriate cable and software (assuming that's allowed). Legal links only pls :)
 
These are the official cable and software manufacturers http://www.ross-tech.com/. The cables are really well made and work for OBD2 fault diagnosis on most modern cars. With VW group cars they do a lot more, allowing coding changes etc. There are cheaper third party cables that use out of date or patched Rosstech (Vagcom) software to work but TBH honest for how useful it is I see no need to risk a poor cable inteface on my car. If you a member of some forums they run a group buy which brings the price of the cables down even more.
 
Buy legal - don't even consider the third party cables.
A lot of them don't run on CAN-BUS vehicles.
Those "cheap" ones that include the proper software are selling illegal copies.

Direct from Ross-Tech is your safest and best option.
Not the cheapest - but you'll make your money back the minute you save yourself a trip to the dealers.
 
I got a £15 cable from Gendan and downloaded the old software from Ross-tech IIRC.

Does everything I need it to - reads/clears fault codes, adjusts xenons etc
 
I got a £15 cable from Gendan and downloaded the old software from Ross-tech IIRC.

Does everything I need it to - reads/clears fault codes, adjusts xenons etc

Same here. Just used a cheap cable, cost me about a tenner. Not fussed if it doesn't work for CanBus cars as mine isn't CanBus and... It's a tenner! Cheaper than spending a couple of hundred on an official cable.

I downloaded the older (free) software from the Ross Tech website too. For my own personal uses it works a treat. Sure it doesn't do everything but it covers 95% of things with my car so it works out better value :)

If I was to start using it properly though I would certainly only consider buying an official cable.

Edit: It would help if we knew what VW it is. If it is CanBus then I think you'll need to go down the official route as the cheap cables simply don't support it
 
There are cheap canbus cables which are about £30 but I would use one on my car.

I've not seen a £30 "Does work with CANBUS" cable actually work with CANBUS yet :)
A lot of false advertising on your favourite auction site.
Just ask the members over at Briskoda - number of them been stung.
 
Same here. Just used a cheap cable, cost me about a tenner. Not fussed if it doesn't work for CanBus cars as mine isn't CanBus and... It's a tenner! Cheaper than spending a couple of hundred on an official cable.

I downloaded the older (free) software from the Ross Tech website too. For my own personal uses it works a treat. Sure it doesn't do everything but it covers 95% of things with my car so it works out better value :)

If I was to start using it properly though I would certainly only consider buying an official cable.

Edit: It would help if we knew what VW it is. If it is CanBus then I think you'll need to go down the official route as the cheap cables simply don't support it
Exactly what I found with my cheap ebay cable and the free version of the software. I only use it to check and reset fault codes on my non canbus car so it works a treat.
 
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