Am I right in thinking that once I have VAG com all thats needed is a cable?

I have been browsing EBay but some ads say they're only compatible with certain versions :confused::confused:

Is this right or should the cable work anyway regardless of VAGcom version?

You need a cable, the software that is compatible with the cable, and of course a laptop.

At the end of the day you get what you pay for with the eBay cables, most work to an extent but they will all be limited to what you can use them for.

A Ross Tech one although dearer will do everything that is capable of being done and you get the support to.

The ebay ones will only work with vag-com 409.1 or below. They are fine for fault code reading and erasing but if you want more get the genuine ross-tech version.

I think thats all it's going to be needed for is reading resetting fault codes.

But what else can you do with VAGCOM?

Also are all cars diag ports the same and just use different software?

I think thats all it's going to be needed for is reading resetting fault codes.

But what else can you do with VAGCOM?

Also are all cars diag ports the same and just use different software?

With a felicia (i'm guessing that is the car you want it for), all you can really do is check the engine fault codes and look at a some of the engine information. You cannot really do anything else as the car does not have the electronics.

So an ebay lead and the older copy of vag-com will do the trick.

If you are going to use it on a mk1 Octavia/Fabia/Superb, you can license the older version and change bits and pieces which has been more than covered over the years if you search the forum.

If you want cars such as the mk2 octavia and Mk2 superb you will need to buy the intelligent interface from Ross-tech and you will be able to use the current and any updated versions of vag com (or VCDS as it is now known)

Most EU cars use the same ISO protocol, so a fully licensed copy of the software with the current spec leads will be able to check and look at certain things from most cars built after 1996.

I'm not after it for my Felicia.

No electronics means its just fix as it breaks and regular checks. None of this wait for the computer to say yes or no :P

A friend has a garage and some people come in with more modern cars and they often have to send work elsewhere as they haven't the equipment to reset/read fault lights.

Something like a generic OBDII reader will get the fault code and reset it.

Just get something like that and he should be fine

Thanks

I'll pass on this information.

When you pass the message on, you might want to send the person to the Ross-Tech web site. There is a ton of information there.

VAG-COM Diagnostic System (VCDS) is the equivalent of the VW factory tool for doing diagnostic work. At it's price/performance, there is no other tool on the market that can touch it.

For a shop that wants to do VAG vehicle work from 1990-2008 model years, we would recommend our HEX+CAN series interfaces. These come with a full license for the current release of VAG-COM which is 704.

You asked what can be done. Reading fault codes is only a small part. Modules can be coded. Output test (where supported by the modules) can be performed. Basic settings and Adaptations can be performed. Live data can be read and graphed.

For more information, visit Ross-Tech: Home

Cheers but will this lead/software work on other cars with an obdII interface :confused:

Cheers but will this lead/software work on other cars with an obdII interface :confused:

I recommend that you take the time to read through Ross-Tech's FAQs, starting at the top of the page. All should then be clear.

Ross-Tech: VAG-COM: FAQ Page 1

I think thats a yes. It can be used on diff cars to a certain degree.

I'll mention this when I see the guy tomorrow.