Just got thisOBD2 scanner from my cousin to check fault codes on my octavia.

The problem is that it didn't work, tried various software like VCDS Lite, ScanMaster, Scantool.net and Easy OBD2.

Easy OBD showed an error- No vehicle response.

ScanMaster- No ECU respone.

So, whats the problem? My cousin used this scanner on his SAAB and mk3 golf. Everything worked.

Just got thisOBD2 scanner from my cousin to check fault codes on my octavia.

The problem is that it didn't work, tried various software like VCDS Lite, ScanMaster, Scantool.net and Easy OBD2.

Easy OBD showed an error- No vehicle response.

ScanMaster- No ECU respone.

So, whats the problem? My cousin used this scanner on his SAAB and mk3 golf. Everything worked.

If the software is using CAN-BUS, it won't work as your car isn't CAN-BUS.

VCDS won't work with interfaces that use ELM chipsets.

So which interface is for my car?

VCDS-Lite is the way to go for a '97 car. A lead such as http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VAGUSB.html is what you need. You can find a lead on eBay but make sure that it is compatible with VCDS-Lite or VAG-COM 409.1 (the forerunner of VCDS).

If you need full functionality, you can register VCDS-Lite for $99.

Here is a function chart showing the difference between versions http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/vag-functions.html

VCDS-Lite is the way to go for a '97 car. A lead such as http://www.gendan.co.uk/product_VAGUSB.html is what you need. You can find a lead on eBay but make sure that it is compatible with VCDS-Lite or VAG-COM 409.1 (the forerunner of VCDS).

If you need full functionality, you can register VCDS-Lite for $99.

Here is a function chart showing the difference between versions http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/vag-functions.html

Strange. That mk3 Golf was definitely older than '97. But the cable worked. Yesterday I tried the cable on a '02 Fabia and also on a '97 VW Caravelle. Everything worked. Well almost. On that van easyOBD said that OBD is incompatible or something. But still, I was able to read measurements and fault codes.

Strange. That mk3 Golf was definitely older than '97. But the cable worked. Yesterday I tried the cable on a '02 Fabia and also on a '97 VW Caravelle. Everything worked. Well almost. On that van easyOBD said that OBD is incompatible or something. But still, I was able to read measurements and fault codes.

I'm not saying that you can't find software that works with ELM327 for your car. I'm saying that VCDS-lite is a much better option that is widely used and you will find far more useful information on forums such as this one.