Best method of reading fault codes (2001 Leon 1.8T)?

danza

danza

danza

Soldato
Joined
28 Mar 2005
Posts
13,678
Location
Drunken badger punching
Right, my wife's Leon has a very slightly lumpy idle, and very occasionally hesitance when pulling away. Just wondering whether it's worth hooking the car up to something, and similarly what's the best way to go?

Laptop + cable or handheld fault reader? Cheaper is better, just as long as it actually works.

Cheers!
 
Laptop and cable.

Can get a cheap unlicensed VAG-COM/VCDS clone cable and the trial software to read the codes fine, you won't need a registered cable for that.

Can be done for under a tenner.
 
acemastr said:
clogged up fuel filter?
Click to expand...

We shall see! It's pretty much fine (non-lumpy) after a couple of minutes running though (whether that means anything I don't know).

paradigm said:
Laptop and cable.

Can get a cheap unlicensed VAG-COM/VCDS clone cable and the trial software to read the codes fine, you won't need a registered cable for that.

Can be done for under a tenner.
Click to expand...

Awesome, cheers. :)

I'll get me one from the bay right away.
 
What phone do you have Danza?

I used to use the trial version of VAG-COM and a cheap ebay cable which worked fine. However I've just got a bluetooth OBD reader and Torque Pro for my phone and it is great for both fault codes and diagnostics on the move should you wish. It also has little tricks like a boost gauge and basic performance readouts (not that I've tried them). If you have an android phone it is worth considering.
 
On ebay I think it's U281 you need to search for which is something handy to keep in the car for the sakes of 15 to 20 quid, a little code reader, then you can get code info off of "ross tech wiki" if you slap that in google, forgot the actual URL :)
 
If you have an Android phone, the little BT ODB readers are fantastic - I think I paid £18 for mine, although I think for the price VAG-COM is worth having if you have VAG car.

I have both, but they are useless since getting rid of the Corrado and moving to an iPhone. WIFI adapters which should work with the software available for the iPhone are still only around £50 mind.
 
Stormster said:
On ebay I think it's U281 you need to search for which is something handy to keep in the car for the sakes of 15 to 20 quid, a little code reader, then you can get code info off of "ross tech wiki" if you slap that in google, forgot the actual URL :)
Click to expand...

would that be same unit I would need for a 52 plate Audo TT ?
 
Rotty said:
would that be same unit I would need for a 52 plate Audo TT ?
Click to expand...

Maybe it's the U280 for the non-canbus VAG's pre 2001 and the U281 which also reads the canbus cars post 2001, should say on the ad's but yeah one of those 2 should be fine for code reading/clearing :)
 
Stormster said:
On ebay I think it's U281 you need to search for which is something handy to keep in the car for the sakes of 15 to 20 quid, a little code reader, then you can get code info off of "ross tech wiki" if you slap that in google, forgot the actual URL :)
Click to expand...

This unit works perfectly :) - I do exactly the same and it just stays in the boots. I paid £12 for it from an auction site.
 
Phil W said:
I bought a VCDS Cable from Gendan and downloaded VCDS Lite for free. The cable cost me £19 posted.
Click to expand...

That working ok for you?

Might be interested if it's possible to get a genuinely decent cable for so little, I thought you needed to spend a fair bit just to get one that actually works...
 
Seems to be working fine.

Would have preferred something i could use on other cars as well but i plan to install Cruise Control and it can be activated with the VCDS Lite version.
 
Kenai said:
That working ok for you?

Might be interested if it's possible to get a genuinely decent cable for so little, I thought you needed to spend a fair bit just to get one that actually works...
Click to expand...

I've got an early VAG-COM cable (pre canbus car compatible, so MK4 golf platform), and a later VCDS cable that works with my A6.

The VCDS one I did pay just a shade under £50 for, but it does more than just VCDS lite ;)

Technically I've got two of the VCDS ones, but one was playing up so the seller sent me a replacement.
 
Phil W said:
Seems to be working fine.

Would have preferred something i could use on other cars as well but i plan to install Cruise Control and it can be activated with the VCDS Lite version.
Click to expand...

I was up for doing that until I saw the 1.8T needed an extra loom and there were diagrams of threading things through the bulkhead and splicing into the ECU etc. etc. and then I decided it was more hassle than I could be bothered with :p

I may grab one of those cables, for the sake of £20 and the free version of VCDS-Lite there's not much to lose really.
 
Kenai said:
I was up for doing that until I saw the 1.8T needed an extra loom and there were diagrams of threading things through the bulkhead and splicing into the ECU etc. etc. and then I decided it was more hassle than I could be bothered with :p
Click to expand...

Loom is really not difficult to make yourself, I've got the wiring diagram somewhere.
 
Kenai said:
I was up for doing that until I saw the 1.8T needed an extra loom and there were diagrams of threading things through the bulkhead and splicing into the ECU etc. etc. and then I decided it was more hassle than I could be bothered with :p

I may grab one of those cables, for the sake of £20 and the free version of VCDS-Lite there's not much to lose really.
Click to expand...

You don't splice into the ecu.

The loom for the 1.8T has changed now. You buy one stalk and loom (£69 from Skoda/VW etc). Diagrams show you the existing grommit in the bulk head that you have to go through and the cables actually go into the plug that goes into the ECU. You don't remove or fiddle with the ECU at all.

I was put off by it but after doing some reading up it actually doesn't seem that bad. The instructions with the kit seem quite comprehensive too.
 
Phil W said:
The loom for the 1.8T has changed now. You buy one stalk and loom (£69 from Skoda/VW etc). Diagrams show you the existing grommit in the bulk head that you have to go through and the cables actually go into the plug that goes into the ECU. You don't remove or fiddle with the ECU at all.
Click to expand...

Got a decent link to that? Just in case I can't find my diagram again!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom