I just wanted to say that I had been thinking of splashing out on a full blown original VCDS cable and Software from Ross-tech; but I figured £265 was quite a lot for what would amount to my basic tinkering. I figured it was worth trying out one of the more basic cables from fleabay. I chose one carefully - from a seller with good feedback who was not giving pirate copies of SW with the cables.

I took apart the cable before using it - looked pretty well assembled so gave it a go. The shareware version of VCDS-lite worked great with the expected limitations (autoscan disabled, not all labels displayed, etc). So well that I decided to buy the unlock key from Ross-tech, which at $100 meant my total came to less than £80 and it almost certainly does everything I will ever need, and is totally legal. To be honest you could probably do all your basic fault code clearing and checking with the shareware version and the Ross-tech wiki for decoding the codes which appear blanked out...

The unlocked SW is great; I was able to see all the fault codes, run autoscan which saves loads of time and effort, pull up measuring blocks for my parking sensors, see the failing sensor giving erratic measurements, and then swap the failed sensor to another position and see the erratic measurements follow the sensor - ie it is definitely a failed sensor and not a wiring or control unit issue.

I know it seems like the standard suggestion which always comes back on these forums is "buy the full VCDS kit" - but it is a lot of cash for a basic meddler, this is just as legitimate, for me works well, and Ross-tech will even deduct your license cost from the purchase of a full cable from them if you desire to go the whole hog. VCDS-lite upgrade

I know owners of much newer cars don't have any other option than the full original VCDS kit (VCDSlite doesn't do CAN), but for me with my 2005 year Superb this is a great option.

I bought VCDS cable back in 2003, 1 year into owning the Octavia, upgraded to HEX USB shortly afterwards. Software licenses had the problem of being tied to one PC, which was really annoying as even hard drive replacement would invalidate them and I had to call Ross Tech. The keyed interfaces from R-T are much better in practical use.

My take on the price is as follows: it is steep, perhaps too steep, but the cable has saved me 5x more to date in dealership visits for both cars to date, and therefore is worth it. For 2 VAG cars in house it makes sense, for one it probably still does.

It is the same with all tools I bought, almost invariably the tools and the parts together cost as much as the service the're required for, so after first service you just pay for the parts (and spend some time enjoyably tinkering with the car). For me it makes sense.

One good example I have is hydraulic spring compressor (for suspension). Yes it was expensive, and yes spring compressors can do the job, but use of the right tool made the subsequent suspension repairs and changes on Octavia and Superb an easy job and it actually saves time on the one part of the job that is annoying and damaging to the springs (tensioning the screw compressors).

I just wanted to say that I had been thinking of splashing out on a full blown original VCDS cable and Software from Ross-tech; but I figured £265 was quite a lot for what would amount to my basic tinkering. I figured it was worth trying out one of the more basic cables from fleabay. I chose one carefully - from a seller with good feedback who was not giving pirate copies of SW with the cables.

I took apart the cable before using it - looked pretty well assembled so gave it a go. The shareware version of VCDS-lite worked great with the expected limitations (autoscan disabled, not all labels displayed, etc). So well that I decided to buy the unlock key from Ross-tech, which at $100 meant my total came to less than £80 and it almost certainly does everything I will ever need, and is totally legal. To be honest you could probably do all your basic fault code clearing and checking with the shareware version and the Ross-tech wiki for decoding the codes which appear blanked out...

The unlocked SW is great; I was able to see all the fault codes, run autoscan which saves loads of time and effort, pull up measuring blocks for my parking sensors, see the failing sensor giving erratic measurements, and then swap the failed sensor to another position and see the erratic measurements follow the sensor - ie it is definitely a failed sensor and not a wiring or control unit issue.

I know it seems like the standard suggestion which always comes back on these forums is "buy the full VCDS kit" - but it is a lot of cash for a basic meddler, this is just as legitimate, for me works well, and Ross-tech will even deduct your license cost from the purchase of a full cable from them if you desire to go the whole hog. VCDS-lite upgrade

I know owners of much newer cars don't have any other option than the full original VCDS kit (VCDSlite doesn't do CAN), but for me with my 2005 year Superb this is a great option.

Who did you buy the cable from then?

Who did you buy the cable from then?

I bought this one:

PLEASE KEEP LINKS TO COPIES/PIRATED VERSIONS OF THE CABLE OFF THIS FORUM!

I'm sure full-blown VCDS is great if you are doing lots of VAG group cars (especially newer ones) - all I'm saying is that for me as just an owner of a 2005 Superb it seems that VCDS-lite can do everything I need with this cable, and it seems basically risk-free as you can always trade-up to full VCDS if you want via Ross-tech website. So if you buy the full kit at £265 straight out you won't find out if the ~£80 option would have been just as good (and I guess for the most basic stuff, the cheap cable with the shareware limited version of the SW might even be good enough!)

How does this work with a Mk1 2005 Superb? Isn't your car a 3U?

The ebay ad says, "VAG-COM KKL Dual Line OBD Diagnostic Interface

Suitable for most Volkswgen / Audi cars from 1994 to 2003

(not can-bus models late '03 on"

I thought that the 2005 Superb was Hex-Can only?

What protocol is the Superb using?

I'd love to know, my local garage want £40 for the scan...

How does this work with a Mk1 2005 Superb? Isn't your car a 3U?

The ebay ad says, "VAG-COM KKL Dual Line OBD Diagnostic Interface

Suitable for most Volkswgen / Audi cars from 1994 to 2003

(not can-bus models late '03 on"

I thought that the 2005 Superb was Hex-Can only?

What protocol is the Superb using?

I'd love to know, my local garage want £40 for the scan...

Well I don't know much about these things yet; I do know this cable works great and finds all the control modules in my car and talks to them - please note I have no affiliation with this vendor!!! Just a happy customer. There is a CAN-GATEWAY module in the car, which makes me think the car is K-line based with a CAN gateway to talk to CAN devices. But as I say I'm a novice; perhaps someone here knows better.

My Superb is a 2005 Edition 100 Auto 1.9PD - actually registered in Jan 2006.

If your garage want £40 for a scan - why not buy the ebay cable and give it a go with the shareware app? The connector is a piece of pie to find (under steering column, on my car no trim to remove, coloured purple), and it takes a whole 2 minutes to put the SW on the laptop (I'm actually running it inside a WinXP virtual machine on my macbook!). Got to be worth a punt?

Vcds lite will work on Superb 3U chassis up to 2008

Tony

Edited 29 November, 201114 yr by freelanderman

Why take chances when the real thing will do the whole lot, and everything else.

I don't understand it? If you don't feel like paying for the full thing, you're better off finding someone locally who has the full version. I just wouldn't be confident trusting a knock-off cable to do the tasks reliably. When messing around, especially in the airbags section, this is particularly important...

Why take chances when the real thing will do the whole lot, and everything else.

I don't understand it? If you don't feel like paying for the full thing, you're better off finding someone locally who has the full version. I just wouldn't be confident trusting a knock-off cable to do the tasks reliably. When messing around, especially in the airbags section, this is particularly important...

I guess it is relative to what you plan on messing around with. For me it is basically seeing if there are fault codes and clearing them; I'm not re-coding or anything else.

The biggest difference I can see with the full VCDS vs VCDS-lite on my car is the Service Interval stuff - VCDS has a nice section for this and VCDS-lite doesn't seem to (I guess you might be able to hand-dabble with the individual config bits in the dashboard, perhaps). But as I said for me it is more about doing the very basics.

As I said as a way in it seems basically pretty risk free; if you can find a good cable to use then you can give it a go and if you find you need something VCDS-lite doesn't do then you can upgrade at a pretty good price.

And I'm not sure it is fair to call these knock-off cables; they are basically some level shifters and a USB-RS232 converter. There isn't really any IP in that. Cheap? Yes... but not knockoff. There is a difference between these cables and the hacked cables which are designed to be used with the cracked pirate versions of VCDS I think.

Well to be honest, I purchased a cable - transparent blue (like the Gendan cable) for £46 about four years ago for my old 2004 Touran 1.9tdi.

I was told it was a Hex-Can cable, and I could use it to remap for better torque; but I never used it. I thought that I would break my ECU, playing around with it, so just put it away in a cupboard.

I dug it out yesterday, because I had 'Emissions Workshop' pop up after owning the (March2005) Superb for 200 miles; installed the software that came (not vag-com) with it, and surprise, the software is for a different cable. I got ripped off. (cable shows in device manager/USB as Map3d OBDII Interface, software says Mpc5xx interface not found)

However.... I installed VCDS-lite, and it finds the cable, (albeit with poor latency) but it wont find the car. It reports something about the car not being iso/OBD2 compliant, and that if its a Volkswagen/audi/seat/skoda , I should look at individual control modules.

None of them open - it tests, waits, tests again etc. then gives a message of Module not found. Total waste of time.

I don't really want to spend £40+vat to find the code, £x for the repair part, then back to the garage for a further £40+vat for the EML to be switched off!

I have simply purchased a used car from a private vendor, and want to drive it from York to the middle of France to deliver to my Parents - I have recently lost my job, and don't have £240 spare cash for a Ross-tech cable for a car that won't be mine

I don't want to waste £10 either, but if this cable truly works with the Superb 1, then great. Thanks Jimbof.

For what its worth, My own car is (ahem) a 2006 Prius, and I can access a 'secret' menu that gives me the diagnostic codes & reset through the satnav screen... lovely!

Edited 30 November, 201114 yr by Superb_2005

Why take chances when the real thing will do the whole lot, and everything else.

I don't understand it? If you don't feel like paying for the full thing, you're better off finding someone locally who has the full version. I just wouldn't be confident trusting a knock-off cable to do the tasks reliably. When messing around, especially in the airbags section, this is particularly important...

I've contacted two people in York who have Hex-can cables, hoping for a quick reply and neither have responded... ..yet. I've got 2 days before I travel.

Anyone know someone in York who is contactable and can spare some time tomorrow today?? (ouch, its late) it would be much appreciated

Edited 30 November, 201114 yr by Superb_2005

I've contacted two people in York who have Hex-can cables, hoping for a quick reply and neither have responded... ..yet. I've got 2 days before I travel.

Where are you travelling from?

I am Nr. Folkestone (just after Euro Tunnel and 7 miles before Dover) and I am off work Friday if that is any use??

Where are you travelling from?

I am Nr. Folkestone (just after Euro Tunnel and 7 miles before Dover) and I am off work Friday if that is any use??

Hi - thanks, thats very kind Gizmo - I'm traveling through the tunnel, so it would almost be perfect - but my check-in will be at around 6am :S probably too early for most!!!

I think I will swap out the coolant sensor today anyway as its a cheap component that is known to fail. I just hope I can get a green one locally

Cable ordered with next day delivery from Warehouse-Diagnostics on fleabay - £16 all in. Fingers crossed it will work for me too...

Changed the Coolant sensor - £7.50 inc vat from local motor factor - my arms are scuffed, my knuckles are bleeding - its not a nice job. did it on my own - took just over 1 hour... never done it before, hopefully never again! I remember why I'm not a mechanic now!

I took the airbox out to get to it. Horrible design - how many pipes and wires does there need to be over the top of a service part such as an air-filter?

Rather annoyingly, it had a green sensor in it already. I hope that these cars are reliable, and I've not bought an engineering nightmare. I never change more than the brake pads/discs on my '93 Honda Concerto, and it just keeps going.. 147k and climbing....

Just landed a job too... the week gets better and better!

Edited 30 November, 201114 yr by Superb_2005

Ha! Spoke too soon...

A friend offered to connect me to his Snap-On diagnostic for free (Thanks Colin) and in this case, 'Emissions Workshop' means....

P0741 - Open or Short Circuit Faulty Torque Converter Clutch Solenoid

Not quite sure what on earth this has to do with 'Emissions', but it looks like I changed the Coolant sensor for nothing.

Lesson learnt. Do nothing without diagnosis.

Anybody else had a PO741? is it easy to rectify?

The light is out now, and I have driven 14 miles without it reappearing.... ha ha ha ha haaaaaa!!!!! (no, I dont expect it to last.. :no: )

... I'm also feeling a little guilty for hijacking your thread, Jimbof - even if it is to do with diagnostic... (sorry!

)

oh dear... I've just searched for P0741

There was a small amount of oil under the car after the first 200 miles... couldn't see it leaking though.

I've read about the non-replaceable oil seal. oh dear.... I bet the guy that sold it to me knew...

Well I don't know who edited out the link to the cable I bought, but seems a bit petty and a misunderstanding...

These are not "copy" cables - as far as I am aware there is NO Intellectual Property of note in a basic K-line cable. There is even a GPL'd design used by many.

GPL cable design

Ross-tech themselves facilitate the use of 3rd party cables, though recommend their own if you want them to support it.

NOTE THIS IS DIFFERENT TO RIPPED-OFF CABLES WITH HACKED VERSIONS OF SW WHICH ARE CLEARLY ILLEGAL.

I am talking about here buying fully licensed VCDS-Lite and using it with a generic K-line cable.

>sigh<

I'm with you on this Jimbof - open source/hardware is great.

I'm part of the Reprap.org community, and they all look at ways of making things more accessible, and cheaper - then we can all play!

Sharing is great - and Ross-tech will still make lots from their software.

If there is a patent on this cable, I would like to see it, and compare it with this cable that I am purchasing - I doubt it would be identical...

(having said that, - could be wrong - anyone want to supply some proof? I'd happily dismantle my cable to assist)

Well, I've just been to DM keith Skoda dealer in York, and had a frank discussion with the service dept...

seems that my 'Emissions Workshop' is a dead gearbox in their view.

They say that they can change the solenoid valves (x3) for £40 each, but 9.7 hours labour @£775 to get to them - yes.. they are all inside.

They cant say if it will fix the problem, so recommend that I fit a Skoda recon box for £3051.94 inc labour. yowch.

few phone calls has found that apparently the TCC valve (I'm not sure what that is) goes bad, and you get some play in the a manifold meaning that fluid doesn't get to when it needs to be - and can be changed for £180 by a company in Huddesfield.

I've also been told that auto gearboxes are notoriously non-repairable by m local garage and that I should just got for a recon. Cleckheaton Automatic specialist have quoted £1350 supply/fit.

What a wonderful day! - my head is spinning!

Well, I've just been to DM keith Skoda dealer in York, and had a frank discussion with the service dept...

seems that my 'Emissions Workshop' is a dead gearbox in their view.

They say that they can change the solenoid valves (x3) for £40 each, but 9.7 hours labour @£775 to get to them - yes.. they are all inside.

They cant say if it will fix the problem, so recommend that I fit a Skoda recon box for £3051.94 inc labour. yowch.

few phone calls has found that apparently the TCC valve (I'm not sure what that is) goes bad, and you get some play in the a manifold meaning that fluid doesn't get to when it needs to be - and can be changed for £180 by a company in Huddesfield.

I've also been told that auto gearboxes are notoriously non-repairable by m local garage and that I should just got for a recon. Cleckheaton Automatic specialist have quoted £1350 supply/fit.

What a wonderful day! - my head is spinning!

Sorry to hear that, hope you can get it sorted. A lot of different opinions there!

Love the reprap by the way; keep meaning to try and get one built to go in the lab/garage... have you got one setup?

Sorry to hear that, hope you can get it sorted. A lot of different opinions there!

Love the reprap by the way; keep meaning to try and get one built to go in the lab/garage... have you got one setup?

Yes, My Reprap is built and working! - I've redesigned it a bit, and am looking at producing my own kit in a few weeks

Right... Its Midnight....just finished playing a gig at the golden ball - (My band is called 'Moonshine Creek' - got downloads on Amazon, itunes CDbaby etc) Got to get to Channel Tunnel by 6.50am at the latest.... hope this gearbox behaves itself... 670miles to go.... eeek!!!!

Oh, got my diagnostic cable btw... its clear blue... switches off the light, gives codes, but doesn't seem to stop the beeping noise on startup :(

hey ho...

Yes, My Reprap is built and working! - I've redesigned it a bit, and am looking at producing my own kit in a few weeks

Right... Its Midnight....just finished playing a gig at the golden ball - (My band is called 'Moonshine Creek' - got downloads on Amazon, itunes CDbaby etc) Got to get to Channel Tunnel by 6.50am at the latest.... hope this gearbox behaves itself... 670miles to go.... eeek!!!!

Oh, got my diagnostic cable btw... its clear blue... switches off the light, gives codes, but doesn't seem to stop the beeping noise on startup :(

hey ho...

what beeping noise on startup do you get?

what beeping noise on startup do you get?

6 beeps whan I first switch on...

actually it stopped after I had been driving...

So... update time... I'm now in France.

Took me 3hours 40 mins to get to Folkstone from York, and I was feather foot with the accelerator all the way, sitting just around 70mph - no traffic to speak of.

Got car on Tunnel - oddly enough it was quite smokey when I got to the queue getting on the train - but it has since cleared - not sure what that was about.

after 462 miles from York (somewhere near Evreux) I pulled out of junction (rather badly) :S in front of a large truck, so had to floor it to get moving - management light came on instantly.

Got to Chartres, and got into busy stop start 40mph traffic, and all of a sudden it got stuck in 4th (I think) gear. Tiptronic was doing nothing, no N, no 2,3,4 and I was then very concerned that I would get to a roundabout, and it would stall, leaving me stranded! The dash display was showning PNR234 (or something similar) (with no gear highlighted) and it didnt matter what I did with the stick, it wouldn't change gear or do anything. - didn't feel like clutch slip when it it did this.

I sat behind a couple of trucks, and managed to go no less than 10mph - thank goodness its a torquey diesel!

I was just about to stop and give up, when as a last resort I switched the ignition off, (as I was rolling along) then on again (without engaging the steering lock LOL)and it seemed to reset the computer... gearbox reset, and worked again. phew! - the odd bump as it kicks down but nothing too scary. does feel like the clutch is slipping slightly.

Arrived in Le Blanc in 12 hours and 11 mins.... no car transporters involved.

I guess this is all to do with the P0741 error. do I need a new gearbox?

Anybody know what's going on????

6 beeps whan I first switch on...

actually it stopped after I had been driving...

Drivers seatbelt not fastened warning ???

Drivers seatbelt not fastened warning ???

Hmm could be... I'm not sure I would have to check, but the car isn't available 'till later...

Did a scan earlier, and the p0741 came up - as expected, but also a p0733 - gear 3 ratio not as expected - I guess that is when it locked up...