Does anyone have only knowledge of this diagnostic tool www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/ , or know of any alternative available?
I\'m toying with buying one for the Audi A4.
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Jud,
Likewise I'm toying with the idea of buying one for 99 Passat TDI (110) . It's available in the UK through Simon Ashby of Reading based Diagnostic techniques -07971 300481 www.dtn.co.uk. He does monthly articles for Car Mechanics magazine and praised the ross tech kit some time ago - judging by his articles he knows what he's talking about. It's going on my xmas list !
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Sorry web site is www.dntn.co.uk/
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having just paid my local vw dealer £55+vat (their minimum charge for hooking you up to the diagnostics), i think i'd be very interested to do
trolling the UK & US vw newsgroups hasn't so far got much of a response from vag-com users, but i've only just posted so there may be a response later.
My concern is that if you want to use it as a diagnostic tool, it will report diagnostic codes, but you'll still have to have access to official vag documentation to find out what the codes mean - is this right ?
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
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Hello Borasport20,
I am fairly certain that the codes are standardised throughout the industry, therefore generally available.
The previously mentioned website (www.dntn.co.uk) does list these codes, IMHO very helpful indeed.
Ref the VAG Com tool, I have one, but have not used it in anger, so to speak. (No faults indicated on my VW Golf 115PS PD diesel). Their website is very informative, especially if you find the Discussion Forums.
The tool is very user friendly. I hope to use it in the near future to do a Cluster swap, but will need to extract the Secret Key Code from my VW dealer, something akin to drawing teeth I've heard.
Please keep us updated on what you get from your postings.
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547hew - in the american newsgroup rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled i got about 8 positive or neutral responses and no negative ones
where did you get the cable for yours ? I presume it's a universal fit for all recent vw's ?
ps. took bora to dealers this morning for them to do the work they had diagnosed on wednesday - and the parts they had ordered on wednesday hadn't arrived. For £65 per hour, they offer an appaling level of service.
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
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Borasport20
Thanks for the feedback, not surprising.
Made my own interface circuit, from a design given in a link from the VAG COM site. (I thought it would be easy and cheaper.... it wasnt easy!).
The connector is standard, but I have noticed that they can come with a thick surround. You need a thin surround for VW.
The VAG Com site offers a complete interface circuit and cable, I think for around $100. If I was doing this again I would by the complete kit.
Of course all this assumes you already have a suitable PC, preferably a laptop.
Out of interest, what parts did they diagnose need replacement?
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Out of interest, what parts did they diagnose need replacement?
no's 2 & 3 HT leads. Which is suprising, because they replaced no 2 less that 2 months ago, and i replaced no 3 last weekend. However, they are adamant that that's what the problem is and will be refunding me the cost of the leads i bought at the weekend
watch this space !
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
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Dealer promised to have car ready by 2.pm - at 2:30 they hadn't even phoned.
Rang them and they said ' the parts only came a few hours ago and he's still working on it'
how long does it take to fit 2 ht leads ?????
I have to grow old - but I don't have to grow up
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Sorry HEW, codes are most certainly NOT standardised; even within one manufacturer codes will vary according to the management system used on particular vehicles. They are supposed to now be using standard (EOBD) diagnostic plug-in sockets, but the pin functions are not always the same !! However, code information is available from trade sources like Autodata, Equiptech etc.
Regarding VAG com, I beilieve it is absolutely the business, although I have not used it myself. Simon Ashby is enourmously respected in the Industry, and I know he loves it. Nuf said for me.
Regards, Adam
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So how much does one of these diagnostic computers cost? If it's not too exhorbitant, I might want to get one myself.
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D'oh! Just followed the link above. Please ignore my previous post.
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VAG-com diagnostic software on sale in the states, including interface cable, $199 + $34 for fedex delivery to UK (£147)
Same software and cable in the UK - £350+vat+delivery ($553 !!!)
I'd been having a meaningful dialogue with the UK supplier until he told me the price and I asked what i was getting for the £200 difference, then communication strangely ceased !
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MVCI for TOYOTA HONDA VOLVO :FOB shenzhen price is :150usd/set
Renault can clip : FOB shenzhen price is :140usd/set
GM TECH2 : FOB shenzhen price is :850usd/set (GM OPEL SAAB ISUZU SUZUKI)
Bluetooth ELM327: FOB shenzhen price is :18usd/set
www.diycartool.com
cindy@diycartool.com
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I've got VCDS and it's the dogs doo dahs. I paid £260 from Gendan who are one of Ross-Tech's authorised UK distributors. You will of course need a laptop computer, it's pretty useless if you haven't got one. The software is actually free to download and use, but to have access to the full version and to receive support and updates you will need a licence. Buying from either Ross-Tech or one of its distributors means you will be supplied with a cable which has a built-in dongle. It automatically activates and authorises the first time you plug it in to a vehicle.
VCDS is very fast, especially on CAN equipped vehicles. It can perform many functions enabling the user to accurately diagnose faults as well as to enable features you didn't even know your car had. All in all it's well worth the money.
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