Hi guys I would like a bit of advice.

I did a search but just too many threads for me.

 

I am looking to get either a Code Reader or something like VCDS lite with a cable.

I don't really think I need the full blown version.

I have no experience with either so what would you recommend for a novice.

 

I have plenty of experience working on cars over the last 25 years but never needed a reader due to the type of cars I have had lately.

 

The CEL light has just come on in the Octavia so I though I may as well just bite the bullet and get my own tools for the job.

 

I don't want to start messing around with setting and things just need to check for faults. 

 

Any personal recommendations please.

 

What are you using and is it easy to use.

Get the cable and VCDS Lite, it will give a lot more info than the basic fault code reader.

If you have an Android based phone then download Torque Pro- paid one not free one. WIth either a USB OBD2 cable (and USB host cable for your phone), Bluetooth elm327 OBD2 or wifi elm 327 OBD2 it'll read and clear fault codes- does with mine flawlessly so far. Should be far the cheapest option for you costing about 10-15 quid all in including the app purchase and whatever connection you go for

 

and depending on the size of your android device should be the smallest one as well

Edited 31 January, 201412 yr by Nerd

I'm looking at cables at the moment.

 

I would never use a phone for this kind of thing. To be honest I think the cameras are great and they are fine for emails and the odd game but that's about it.

Too many people are addicted to the things you go anywhere these days and most people are playing around with damn things.

Socialising these days seems to revolve around phones and apps.

I do use a smart phone but its a company one and have no choice.

have a look at the cheapy ebay ones, i have full version of vagcom but to be honest ive only ever had to use it once. I have an Autosnap code reader (£20 from ebay) and it is fine, reads the manufacturer specific codes aswell and can be just left in the car. Very good value imo

Ruffday - Android is simply an operating system, the same windows is. It powers allsorts of things, not just phones. I know where you're coming from but the phone in your pocket is likely as powerful as your laptop, it's just a matter of knowing how to do it. I actually run Windows xp on my Android tablet allowing me to run VCDS in it as well as torque pro- both have slightly different strengths and plus points.

It's all down to personal preference to be very honest. I prefer to have 1 or 2 things that can do everything I need rather than a separate device for each and every function. Ebays full of cheap little handheld scanners that should do exactly what you're after. You might find the same on Amazon, Amazon has a review system so you can normally spot the cream from crap using them

I can give a specific example of why I bought my full version cable. My father in law has a mk 1 Fabia, which lost its steering last year, so I tried my code reader, only to find it couldn't read the module - I know some can now, but they are reasonably expensive for what they are.

 

So next I got my son to borrow a cheap cable off a friend and tried vcds lite.This read the code, and after much diagnosis, we fitted a new pump, only to find that half the settings that needed to be programmed on his new pump could not be accessed by VCDS lite.

 

Scroll on a week, ordered full cable, plug in, set values, job done. Then we found all the anti hijack locking we could enable and loads of other bits that were just not accessible in VCDS Lite.

 

Check out the for sale section from time to time for full cables - 2 have come up on here in the last 3 months for very reasonable money. You'll get the money back in no time with what you save, and if you feel like it can do things for others for beer tokens.

 

I even use it for output tests on my Octy for different things, saves loads of time checking things out, and the logging aspect is a whole subject all on its own.

 

Just something to think on, and hope it helps..

Ruffday - Android is simply an operating system, the same windows is. It powers allsorts of things, not just phones. I know where you're coming from but the phone in your pocket is likely as powerful as your laptop, it's just a matter of knowing how to do it. I actually run Windows xp on my Android tablet allowing me to run VCDS in it as well as torque pro- both have slightly different strengths and plus points.

It's all down to personal preference to be very honest. I prefer to have 1 or 2 things that can do everything I need rather than a separate device for each and every function. Ebays full of cheap little handheld scanners that should do exactly what you're after. You might find the same on Amazon, Amazon has a review system so you can normally spot the cream from crap using them

 

 

Hi Nerd.

Don't get me wrong I don't knock anyone for doing it how they want on what equipment they have.

But you speak to some people and they just cant function if they don't have their phone within 2 feet.

For me the screen is just too small. I have a galaxy S4 and yes it is very powerful an no doubt very capable of running software but I will stick to the laptop.

I can give a specific example of why I bought my full version cable. My father in law has a mk 1 Fabia, which lost its steering last year, so I tried my code reader, only to find it couldn't read the module - I know some can now, but they are reasonably expensive for what they are.

 

So next I got my son to borrow a cheap cable off a friend and tried vcds lite.This read the code, and after much diagnosis, we fitted a new pump, only to find that half the settings that needed to be programmed on his new pump could not be accessed by VCDS lite.

 

Scroll on a week, ordered full cable, plug in, set values, job done. Then we found all the anti hijack locking we could enable and loads of other bits that were just not accessible in VCDS Lite.

 

Check out the for sale section from time to time for full cables - 2 have come up on here in the last 3 months for very reasonable money. You'll get the money back in no time with what you save, and if you feel like it can do things for others for beer tokens.

 

I even use it for output tests on my Octy for different things, saves loads of time checking things out, and the logging aspect is a whole subject all on its own.

 

Just something to think on, and hope it helps..

 

Good info to know mate but I cant justify the full version.

I have a fully expensed company car and that gets looked after by the local dealer.

This is my weekend motor and will do less than 2k a year.

I just need to be able to read the codes as and when they pop up.

If the problems turn out to be too expensive then it would most likely get broken up as it was only cheap.

Or I would most likely buy another and swap bits around.

I wasn't saying to buy new at this stage, but have seen them go for between £100 - £150 recently, which paints a different picture to £260 then. I've seen code readers that are capable of reading things like abs and airbag modules go on ebay for nearly £80, well on the way to a proper used cable.

 

I know what you mean, was just trying to say that things are not always as dear as you think.

I know what you mean but I was thinking more in the £30-40 mark as there are numerous readers or cables around that mark.

I have someone local going to check it out this weekend with VCDS Lite so will see how that goes.

This is the code reader i have in the glovebox if I just want to quick check codes and clear them - not this exact one but one like it. However, I would never use it to scan the airbag system as that could really end in tears with cheap readers.

 

Would this be more to what you were thinking of?.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autel-Maxscan-VAG-405-Diagnostic-code-reader-/141178864052?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment&hash=item20deea81b4

A simple £16 ebay code reader will suffice for what you require