Hi,

I must admit I am pretty new to the Skoda car scene and most cars on here seem to be some type of Turbo, whereas I have an 1999 SLXi.

I have noticed code readers going on Ebay for like £20, are these suitable for reading codes from my engine? And more importantly does anyone know if my car actually has a port to plug such a device into?

As I said quite new to Skoda's and VW engines anyway, I have always had Ford's.

Cheers

Jon

All cars from 1996 (IIRC) have the OBD socket in the car to read fault codes.

The eBay readers are a bit hit and miss, some will work fine, others will be a PITA to get working.

Were you looking at 'VAG-COM' cables or stand alone readers?

Any issues you have in getting a non genuine VAG-COM (genuine ones are made by Ross Tech) cables to work and you are on your own, as Ross Tech quite rightly refuse to help you to get a rip off cable working. A non genuine cable is also limited to what it can do, although you can pay $99 to Ross Tech to enable more functions and to get support from Ross Tech.

It really depends on what you want from a reader, you may be better paying someone £20 or so for them to do a full diagnostic check or change things using their genuine VCDS (VAG-COM) product.

Yes, your car does have an OBD-II port located behind a little plate (most often missing) at the back of the shelf below the steering wheel.

My advice is to get a cheap VAG-COM lead and to use the freeware version of VAG-COM which can be downloaded from here

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: Download old versions for obsolete interfaces

Thanks for the replies, I was actually looking at the readers, but I have a laptop so I can always get a lead if that is a more reliable solution. Basically I have had nothing but trouble with my last 2 cars and I spent hundreds of pounds on taking it to the garage for someone to plug it into a machine, it would be so handy to at least be able to pull the codes myself.

Thanks for the advice again, its really appreciated, one of the reasons I keep coming back to the forum, people are nice and don't treat you as below them

Jon

I have the Autel VAG 305 code reader (See link) and it is fine for reading and clearing codes and has paid for itself in terms of what a garage would charge me each time. I would avoid any from China as these are likely to be cheap copies :thumbdwn:

The benefit of these or indeed any code reader is you can keep it in the car unlike VAGCOM. I am probably going to invest in VAGCOM in the future but for now this is adequate.

VOLKSWAGEN SCNANNER VAG 305 CODE READER OBD2 EOBD CAN on eBay, also, Diagnostic Tools Equipment, Garage Equipment Tools, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 05-Feb-09 10:14:13 GMT)

Ok, that looks pretty good, quite similar to what I have been looking at previously.

Cable or code reader like that one, I am open to both as long as they do the job, which for me is mainly just reading the codes.

Jon

These are a couple of the ones I was looking at :-

Ebay Cable

Code Reader

Not sure if they are similar or suitable

Jon

I use the Autel VAG 305 and it works just fine. it comes with a manual and a CD-Rom

The 16 pin data plug connector for the code reader should be in the compartment just above the pedals.

Or should I say, according to Autodata 2007 it should.

Hope this helps.

I have one of the code readers in your second link. I got it when I had a Celica which had an intermittent catalyst efficiency fault.

With my Octavia VRS it works like a charm. Recently had a coil pack go and after the engine management light came on it told me that the problem was a misfiring cylinder and which one it was.

Nowhere near the full functionality of VAG COM but quite capable of reading and clearing codes for very litte money.

Rich

Found this on a search, dont know if its any good though:-

ecutool

Found this on a search, dont know if its any good though:-

ecutool

I'm guessing that's a pirated version of a Ross Tech VAG COM lead. Legal cheap ebay leads only work with older VAG COM software (upto 2003/2004 versions) and have slightly restricted functionality, only genuine Ross Tech ones legally work with their latest software. Some pirated ones claim to be able to work with the latest software - never tried one though.

A lot of generic OBD code readers will only do engine diagnostics. Worth bearing in mind, because they won't be any help if the ABS light comes etc, but they can be cheap.

The Autel one that people have mentioned claims to do ABS, Airbag and Auto gearbox as well as engine, so could be a reasonable compromise - I've never used one though.

I've got a genuine Ross Tech VAG COM (now called VCDS) lead, which is expensive, but brilliant. It'll do anything that a VW garage can do, and includes parking sensors, radio, central locking, ABS, airbag etc., as well as engine obviously. It can also be used to reset service display and setup options like whether central locking just does the driver's door on the first press.

But if you're just worried about occasional fault codes, then a generic code reader might be the way forward as it's a lot cheaper. Or you could take a chance on an ebay VAG COM lead which may or may not work well...

Hi...I am new to skoda...with a Mass Airflow Sensor G70 code fault...saying Signal Too Low (16486 P0102).

MY QUESTION...Can anyone tell me... if i correct the underlying problem by cleaning the Maf (or whatever), will the fault lamp simply clear itself ..OR...will i have to have the warning light re-set with a diagnostic tool. If it self-resets then i can just keep trying other things such as wire inspection or cleaning. I am keen to do this but if i have to pay for another electronic connection then i have to make sure i have corrected the fault before i spend the money (if you see what i mean).

I read from the forums that this fault (Signal Too Low) is indicative of a faulty connection or broken wire rather than a duff Maf. Can anyone confirm this statement?

Thanks in anticipation.

JJ

Edited 13 March, 200917 yr by johnuk

only genuine Ross Tech ones legally work with their latest software

I thought a cable like this is just a bunch of wires connected in to two specific plugs (albeit is a specific way). The advert does not say it is a Ross Tech cable and I thought any company woud be within its rights to produce a cable to any specification, but then I saw this on another forum:

VWvortex Forums: VAGCOM cable where to purchase ?is this good? (21 June 2009)

The Ross-Tech VAG-COM / VCDS cable is both a physical connection

AND it is the SOFTWARE License.

i.e. The cable contains an encrypted key to activate the current Ross-Tech software.

The Ross-Tech price represents both, not just the cable.

The current Ross-Tech VAG-COM / VCDS software is not public domain and it is protected.

Link:

VWvortex Forums: VAGCOM cable where to purchase ?is this good?