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hi there,can anyone recommend a cheap diagnostic plug in i can't afford the proper joby and was looking on the bay and there are some pretty cheap plug ins but i wouldn't have a clue if they are any good or not.let me start by saying there is nothing wrong with my car at the min (touch wood) but thought it would be nice to have something there that would give me some idea of what is wrong if it should go wrong. 

is there one that will read my car (2005 mk2 2.0 tdi dsg 6speed auto) + all the other vag cars as the rest of my family drive audi vw and fiat it would be nice if the one diagnostic tool would read the lot or am i asking to much?

and how extensive of a check can i expect from one?

cheers kev.

p.s how much am i looking at spending to cover the criteria above?

 

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It's as simple as Bluetooth and an app on your phone. Firstly you will need an ELM327 Bluetooth Interface OBDII adapter that connects to the OBD port,then it's simply a matter downloading an app i.e. Carista free or £15.36 for full version and then connect via Bluetooth to do an ECU diagnostic. Carista also allows you to adjust settings on your car, i.e. DRL lights, coming home lights, widows doors and alarm tweaks and many others. It's limited compared to VCDS but still fun and useful.

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Thanks for the input mate but I only just know how to turn the computer on lol and all that what you have just said whent strait over my head like a fighter jet lol I could really just do with something I can plug in and get codes off and then the name of a site on the computer where I can look up what the codes mean.The type I was looking at was the small hand held jobbys that you plug in to a socket under the dash somewhere cheers Kevin.

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I have these for my Android smartphone:

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PLX-kiwi2BT-Kiwi-Bluetooth-Diagnostic/dp/B004B0C1NE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444129028&sr=8-1&keywords=plx+kiwi+bluetooth - 65 pounds

 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en - 4 pounds

 

Works superbly, it plugs into OBD port, connects to phone.

 

There are cheaper ELM devices as Billy said, so have a search.

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Just spent a while looking for a diagnostic tool and my head is cabaged they all promise to do what you want but do they?

Read a couple of threads and got even more cabaged lol but I realised something that was said on one thread that I would only be using it once in a blue moon (hopefully) my criteria is that it reads skoda/vw/Audi/seat and can tel me of any faults with the engine/abs/aircon all the things you can't find your self.

Wether it be a cable that you plug into your computer or a hand held that has a light up screen cheers Kevin.

What do people think of vagcom 14.10 are they any good?

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my criteria is that it reads skoda/vw/Audi/seat and can tel me of any faults with the engine/abs/aircon all the things you can't find your self.

Wether it be a cable that you plug into your computer or a hand held that has a light up screen 

 

Take a look at a Gendan T55

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Just bought one of these, only arrived today so not had chance to try it yet.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-ELM327-OBD2-V1-5-Car-Bluetooth-Scanner-Android-Auto-Scan-Diagnostic-Tool-UK-/371348369999?hash=item567616724f

 

Downloaded the Carista (free) app to use with it. Hopefully get chance in the morning to see if it actually works!

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thanks for the help lads but wouldn't i be better off with a reader that pacifically reads vag vehicles ?

i need it to read (skoda/ vw / seat / audi) and the need for one is just a little bit more necessary tonight my son in law came and asked when am i getting one has his seat leon 20 valve turbo has just started to smoke.

would a code reader help with the cause of his problem? 

can anyone give me the heads up on the vagcom 14.10 any good or not?

i don't want to go and buy one and then find out that the one that i got isn't really up to the job and one at a better price would have been a better buy.what kind are the best to go for the ones that are hand held unit or the ones that come with a cable and a disc and you need a lap top to use?

cheers kev.

 

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For reading a VW basic codes unless you want to go deep then you are going to vcds.

All you need is an OBD reader(on board diagnostics) or an OBD2.

Nearly all OBD codes are industry standard, so get your reader take the codes and pop them into the internet and bingo the items that have logged in the vehicles ECU. Technically there are codes that are manufacture specific but for a quick cheap diagnostic look at logged codes the basic unit will do.

The really simple reader I gave a link to in my previous reply is fine it will give you the codes in simple easy to read and look them up here on the right link;

http://www.troublecodes.net/obd2/

Reading up the unit recommended below by Skomaz, the VAGT55 unit will go deeper than a basic £6 code reader and gets into more units on VAG cars :)

Edited by Defenderben
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For reading a VW basic codes unless you want to go deep then you are going to vcds.

All you need is an OBD reader(on board diagnostics) or an OBD2.

All OBD codes are industry standard, so get your reader take the codes and pop them into the internet and bingo the items that have logged in the vehicles ECU are there

The really simple reader I gave a link to in my previous reply is fine it will give you the codes in simple easy to read and look them up here on the right link;

http://www.troublecodes.net/obd2/

 

As above - a basic code reader will only read generic OBD2 Engine codes - if you want codes from specific control modules etc. you need a VAG specific reader like the Gendan T55 handheld suggested earlier, which will do this but also generic codes from other vehicles.

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I had a code reader in the early days of VAG cars, it done what I required at the time.

But as time and equipment moved on it required an update, this I saw it was as a never ending money pit.

That's all.

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As above - a basic code reader will only read generic OBD2 Engine codes - if you want codes from specific control modules etc. you need a VAG specific reader like the Gendan T55 handheld suggested earlier, which will do this but also generic codes from other vehicles.

 

 

Would love to buy this, but I'm already looking at a bill of £500 this month!

 

MOT and service due on 31st, rear disks needed, pollen and air filters, and I'm going to have to have to cought up £120 for new injector seals if I'm to have a go at cleaning the valves...

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