Just been out to my mates FIAT PUNTO (2002) and VCDS isn't talking to the car with OBD 2 even clicked on the other 2 protocols and stlll nothing !

er, perhaps that's because it's a Fiat? VCDS, formerly VAG-COM. VAG being VOLKSWAGEN AktielGesellschaft.

Thanks for that BUT it should 'talk' OBD2 to any car !

Thanks for that BUT it should 'talk' OBD2 to any car !

no, it "may" talk OBD2 to other cars. it won't work on Vauxhall (I have tried it on a Vectra B ) for example, as it uses a completely different protocol not included in VCDS.

Edited 19 October, 201213 yr by trundlenut

So VCDS is NOT as good as a generic OBD code reader for non VAG group cars ?

Well done sparky

Sorry couldn't resist

So VCDS is NOT as good as a generic OBD code reader for non VAG group cars ?

In a word, yes!

You may be able to use the cable with some other software to talk to other cars though.

A google suggests the cheap ebay cables will work with ISO9141 and KWP2000 and so should work with Alfa Romeo, VW, Volvo, Fiat

Edited 19 October, 201213 yr by trundlenut

So VCDS is NO good as a generic OBD code reader for non VAG group cars ?

corrected that for you

Well i've actually used mine as a Generic OBD2 reader on some friends cards and its worked on all of them, SAAB, BMW, Vauxhall Vectra and the G/F's suzuki swift.

Have you got a genuine VCDS cable?

it should work as a generic code reader, what you will not be able to do is code anything using the options such as 01-engine etc. if you get as far as that menu you have gone to far, you need to be on the main home screen.

Just a silly question are you sure the OBD port is working in the FIAT?

Hi All, I scanned the car in Feb this year and it read some details from the ECU so the only thing thats possibly changed are the updates from Ross-Tech ? Its a genuine hex-can cable about 2 years old and works fine with VAG group cars (thank god) and I keep saying to people it 'should' be as good as a back street garages code reader but its turning out to be incorrect. cheers - Stuart

Our interfaces do not support the VPW standard under OBDII. We never claimed that our devices were fully and totally OBDII compliant. They are compliant with the sub-section that VAG uses. Bash our tool all you like. We desgined for VAG cars. We did not design it as a generic OBDII tool.

The reason we have any support for OBDII is because VAG began changing their documentation from VAG codes to OBDII for certain procedures. Imagine how happy users would be if they had to go get a generic tool to do the OBD functions and use VCDS for the VAG functions. When VAG changed the rules of the game, we added the OBD support. If memory serves, that was in 2006.

We are adding full OBDII support to our next generation product.

Edited 19 October, 201213 yr by bearthebruce

Hi Bruce, thanks for the clarification, has the software changed since feb this year as it did read something last time, also I tried to regen a DPF on a AUDI A4 and after entering the code it came up as error 22 am I doing somethig wrong ? cheers - Stuart

I'm not aware of any change to the software that would stop OBDII functions. If you have a genuine system and are registered, send a message to [email protected]. Our guys will look at it - we don't have many Fiats in the US so not sure we will actually be able to do any testing though. (Fiat 500 just came to the US through their purchase of Chrysler)

Edited 21 October, 201213 yr by bearthebruce

I've found the VCDS OBDII function quite handy on a number of vehicles. Had a customer demanding immediate service one day as the engine light on her Suzuki had just come on. I scanned the car with VCDS and asked how long the light had been on for, she replied 'since this morning', she looked a little deflated when I told her that VCDS had recorded that the car had been driven 1800Km with the light on.