Well the yellow check engine warning light came on last week a local mechanic kindly checked it out with his diagnostics. Apparently it is related to the APR remap and the tuner wants 1 hour lanour to put it right?!!! It is not a problem as such but I will not know next time (or should I say this time...) if it is due to another problem.

I need to get my own plug in and check out system...can someone please explain how VAG com works, where to get from and how much?

I would greatly appreciate the help guys!

All you ever need to know can be found on Ross-Tech's site

They are the ones that designed VAG-COM (now know as VCDS) and do all the support and updates.

There are lots of cheap and nasty clones available - some work, some don't, some will do no harm to your car some WILL.

So is this what I should be looking for:

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=VPHUC&Category_Code=P

Mine is a 2002 Octavia Elegance. Would I be able to clear faults etc. What else can be done?

Any other products suppliers in the UK?

Thank you for the reply and link.

Edited 9 October, 201015 yr by Aaquil

Hi Aaquil

you don't need to buy a full version for just checking your codes etc. get a cable off ebay that will work with the old 409 version and there are links to the rosstech wiki that contain all the codes so you can work out what needs to be fixed. Did the mechanic tell you what was wrong and what he needed to do for the hour that was going to fix "the Map" It is most likely a Vac or Boost leak made worst by the remap boosting to higher PSI, or it could be down to a missfiring spark plug?

If you get a cable from Ebay I would be happy to help you get it running as they can be a bit tricky to get going if you don't know the procedure.

Karl

I would try this one here

Will be considerably cheaper than the professional kit.

Don't forget that some older versions don't work on windows 7 :|

Thanks for all the replies.

Karl - The code was mentioned in another post I wrote last week when the problem first came up...the mechanic does general work and does not specialise in VAG cars so all he could do it tell me what came up on his diagnostic equipment. I put it up on my post and one of our fellow BRISKODIANS mentioned what the problem was related to. It was due to an 'issue' with the APR remap.

So how does the cable work exactly what do I have to order can you be a little more specific as I do not have a clue!!!

Thanks.

Aaquil

I have Windows XP Home edition on laptop so what do I need to get cable wise etc. Also GIZMO mentioed that some systems can cause harm when plugged in for diagostics. If that is the case I would rather pay more for the piece of mind!

with XP Pro you should be ok with any of the cables. If all you are doing is checking and clearing codes then you should be OK I have been using an Ebay cable for 2 years to check and clear codes and doa bit of data logging and teh only issues I had were in the very begining when trying to get the thing installed properly. HTH

Thanks for the advice any recommended sites for the cables and what software do you need. Also, what are the difficulties with setting up?

If you do get vagcom you only need the standard kit as the lead supplied will work with your car. The extra connections in the professional kit will be unnecessary unless you also have older, non obdII vag group car/cars you want to plug into.

On my laptops I just installed the software, plugged in the lead and then clicked test. All that was required, then you can plug into the car and scan for fault codes.

Any recommended sellers for what I need?

Any recommended sellers for what I need?

I got my "ebay cable" from this guy.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-USB-DIAGNOSTIC-CABLE-409-1-OBD2-II-LEAD-VAG-COM-/330399696070?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item4ced5b44c6

Paid for it and it was here next day.

Does all the basic stuff ie DTC scan and reset, but being a shareware version you don't always get an explanation of the codes. But Tech1e has done a nice list here

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/56019-list-of-fault-codes/

For £8.45 inc postage you can't go wrong. I use a netbook with XP Home installed. It connects to a USB port and emulates a serial connection. You just just need to know which COM port it's installed on (check in Device Manager) , and match this to the cable settings under Options in the VCDS-Lite settings, then save it. Took 5 mins to install and get running.

Edited 13 October, 201015 yr by modra_vrs

Thanks I will look at that!