Budget code scanner?

M

manhattan$

Past Member
Hi,
I am looking for a budget code scanner for use with my search for a new A2. I will use it to check for fault codes when viewing.

There are quite a few different ones on ebay, but im not too clued up on this subject.

The other possible option is to use my iPhone with a diagnostic App and a ODB wifi cable.
 
Hi Paul,

Out of curiosity, which OBD II WiFi setup have you been looking at ? Been thinking aboiut a similar setup for my iphone myself.

TIA

Best regards

Akerlie
 
akerlie said:
Hi Paul,

Out of curiosity, which OBD II WiFi setup have you been looking at ? Been thinking aboiut a similar setup for my iphone myself.

TIA

Best regards

Akerlie
Click to expand...

Hi Akerlie,
There is a iPhone App called Rev and the wifi cable is by PXL Kiwi.
 
Thank you for the info manhattan$ :)

Looks like a gadget i might have to buy :)

I also have a scangauge which I am very happy with, but of course it would not go in the "budget category"
 
obd code scanner

I got one of these from ebay and used it with the free software widely avaiable on the internet, do a search on ebay as i found mine for about £6 delivered (uk supplier), plug it into your laptop (usb port) and away you go near enough full code scanner for less than a tenner.
I was also able to recode items like door locks and cruise control, also clears air bag lights and resets all codes.

I have also used it sucessfully on my brothers 2002 polo petrol 1.2 to clear codes and air bag lights.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/006-VAG-409-1...290458597579?pt=UK_Diagnostic_Tools_Equipment

please note above link is for information only i am not afiliated to the seller its just to show you what i use.


Simon
 
Thanks guys.

The only problem is that we use Apple Macs, so im not sure if the cable would work Simon.

Would this do the same thing?

ebay.co.uk/Pages/ViewItem.aspx?aid=320578044084&sv=Autel%20405&emvcc=0
 
vag com

dont know about that one but vag-com is the way forward and is like what the dealers use, there is a free version which has limited features (check and clear codes and some settings changes), i believe it is windows only not mac so if you can get hold of a chap laptop with usb running xp ect it will work with the cheap usb cable i mentioned above.

Simon
 
ebay obd scanner

just looked at that link on ebay, looks ok and if only for reading basic codes ect seems like it will do the job, depends how much it is, i wouldnt pay over about £30 plus delivery for something like that, and if it dosnt do what you want return it or re sell it on ebay.

Simon
 
Hi Will
You need VCDS-Lite which is a new name for the revised version of 409.1 level software. This applies to any reader or interface not supplied by Ross Tech plus the ancient geniune VagCom leads.

Cheers Spike
 
spike said:
Hi Will
You need VCDS-Lite which is a new name for the revised version of 409.1 level software. This applies to any reader or interface not supplied by Ross Tech plus the ancient geniune VagCom leads.

Cheers Spike
Click to expand...

Thanks Spike. Much appreciated.
 
I'm struggling a bit and would appreciate some help.

I'm using Windows 7. I have a KKL+CAN BUS USB cable.

After installing the VCDS_Lite version I plug in the USB cable, then launch the application.

I check in my Control Panel Device Manager that the USB is communicating to port COM1. 'USB Serial Port COM1'

In VCDS-Lite I go to Options then test the COM1 port. The message I see is 'Port Status OK. Interface not found'

I test COM2,3 & 4 and I see 'Port does not exist. Interface not found'

Any thoughts on troubleshooting? Drivers?

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
RTFM or it should be RTRFM (read the right f.. manual!)

The manual which came with my cable was subtly wrong. It told me to test the cable before plugging the other end in to the car.

But another manual I found online said to, install the software, plug in cable to laptop AND car. Ignition ON. Then launch application. All works now.

£10 cable has saved me £45 garage fee!
 
Sounds like a driver problem - this has to be supplied by the interface supplier.

RAB
 
I have the same problem with my recent vista laptop and my cheap ebay cable, but it works with my old Windows 2000 laptop. I guess it is a driver issue with vista.
 
I was able to get mine to work in Windows 7, so there is hope for others.

The two key issues were: Setting the USB port to use the correct COM port.
Then to follow the steps: Install the software, plug in cable to laptop AND car. Ignition ON. Then launch application.
 
Got mine working on vista.

Went into device manager, found it had installed as COM8, changed this to COM4 and worked perfectly.
 
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