Help i'm going to VCDS it myself!

N8P

Member

Hi Guys further to my wanted ad for getting a scan done (no joy yet) so I've decided to do this myself, just wondered if someone could steer me in the right direction so im armed with all the right information. Over the last couple of weeks I've put through a tank or so of 99 octane fuel & some fuel injector cleaner as well with a few Italian tuneups. unfortunately last night it seemed like it wasn't going to get up the hill on the dual carriageway running out of breath, loss of top end power & just managed to limp home with eml on :(.

So VCDS it myself starts with

1. Get Windows based PC so it can run VCDS Lite.
2. Cheapest is VCDS Lite as its a free download via Ross Techs site?
3. Get cable possibly a KKL cable? or Gendan Cable? There are many fakes out there so does anyone have a link to any company selling them?

Hopefully once i've done this i can come back with a few codes - no doubt.

is this the best way to go...
 
Certainly the cheapest way to go if there is nobody local that can do a scan. Do you have an independent German car specialist near by? They could scan for a fee but probably also offer solutions. You may find a mobile service that can do a scan also.
You do not need a fancy laptop to run VCDS, anything with USB port and Windows XP is fine - cheaper. Yes you download Lite from Ross Tech. I would suggest a good cable such as the Gendan one.
You could also price up second user VCDS full fat Hex+Can on auction site to see if that is affordable. Lite will not give full fault descriptions and has more limited functions until registered at a price. So work out the cost of Gendan cable and registration fee and then compare to used full fat VCDS.
 

Hi Guys further to my wanted ad for getting a scan done (no joy yet) so I've decided to do this myself, just wondered if someone could steer me in the right direction so im armed with all the right information. Over the last couple of weeks I've put through a tank or so of 99 octane fuel & some fuel injector cleaner as well with a few Italian tuneups. unfortunately last night it seemed like it wasn't going to get up the hill on the dual carriageway running out of breath, loss of top end power & just managed to limp home with eml on :(.

So VCDS it myself starts with

1. Get Windows based PC so it can run VCDS Lite.
2. Cheapest is VCDS Lite as its a free download via Ross Techs site?
3. Get cable possibly a KKL cable? or Gendan Cable? There are many fakes out there so does anyone have a link to any company selling them?

Hopefully once i've done this i can come back with a few codes - no doubt.

is this the best way to go...

I am in the same boat as yourself and now looking into buying the full VCDS.
I bought a second hand Asus Eee Netbook with Windows 7 installed for £50 from eBay ... more than capable ... only had to alter a few settings for the latency and it hasn't failed to work yet.
Also bought a Gendan cable directly from Gendan for £20 and downloaded VCDS Lite ... this version is very limited and you have to go through the available modules manually ... and there aren't really that many available (at least not on my car!)
Was debating whether to register the Lite version but after a lot of deliberation I am going to go for the 3 Vin code one and use it on my Citigo also.

All the best ... Tom
 
VCDS Lite is the way to go if you only want to use it for pre 2005/06 VAG cars (like A2, A3, MK1 TT), then an ebay KKL cable (circa £10) is fine. Full functionality abs unlimited use (still 2005/06) comes for $99 (£75 ish)
If you want to use VCDS on later cars then your looking at more expensive options. Luckily for me, both mine are oldies!
Maybe start with. VCDS Lite the cheapo lead, and see how you get on.
Only install the driver from the MS site. Install the driver before pluging the lead in for the first time.
Mac.

Mac.
 
Any version of VCDS is suitable for your car. Lite will work but you may very quickly out grow it, Full fat Hex+Can suitable for all Vag cars to about 2016, provides more information and can do far more with it. For latest Vag you will need Hex+Net or Hex V2. Choice is yours, limiting factor is your finances. Remember in the full fat versions not everything you do will require a Vin "life" so you are not entirely limited to using it on 3 or 10 different vehicles.
 
Any version of VCDS is suitable for your car. Lite will work but you may very quickly out grow it, Full fat Hex+Can suitable for all Vag cars to about 2016, provides more information and can do far more with it. For latest Vag you will need Hex+Net or Hex V2. Choice is yours, limiting factor is your finances. Remember in the full fat versions not everything you do will require a Vin "life" so you are not entirely limited to using it on 3 or 10 different vehicles.
@audifan
If it's only to be used on a pre 2005/06 car, such as our A2s, what advantages does a "full fat" VCDS have over a licensed version of Lite?
The OBD codes for our cars have not been updated in the last 15 years.
Mac.
 
Future proofing. Should anyone buy a later vehicle then full fat has them covered. If Lite registered is so good then why do MANY have full fat. Are you telling me registered Lite does everything that full fat does?
 
Yep and that is why it is Lite Version....
As my cars are both pre 2005/06, the very minor (imo) limitations of the Lite version are not, nor are they likely to be, a problem for me. As @Andrew says, Lite is good value.
The cost of full fat vcds is an order of magnitude (imo) above Lite, and still VIN limited (unless your name is Croesus*)
Mac.
*Legendary King of Lydia and supposedly the richest man on earth. Not an A2 owner though.
 
Yes if you ONLY want to use on A2 then you may well get away with Lite, preferably registered. I am pointing out that if you have or want newer than 2006 vehicles now or later then Lite is not the best option. Add to this the cost of a good cable and registration, then a used full fat can be better value. A set of wheels or a stereo can easily be more than full fat VCDS, and can be resold at a later date.

Do I think Lite is better than a generic reader Absolutely! Will everyone use full fat to its potential - I doubt it, but I do feel that registered Lite can be false economy for some owners.
 
The majority of requests for help in diagnosing an A2 engine/electrical problem on this forum are of the "... my car does/doesn't do XYZ ..." variety. The description of the problem is personal and subjective.

This will be followed by a trickle, or deluge of replies, all will have interpreted the OP's description subjectively (ie, differently).
Some of these replies will be based on a logical analysis of the problem, while many will be based on (what sounds like) similar problems they have experienced. Most will involve time, cost and, often, disappointment, because most are based, to a greater or lesser degree, on guesswork.

If you have use of a Windows laptop with a USB port (old, new, high or low spec, any version of Windows, XP to 10) you can download a free (gratis and for nothing) copy of VCDS Lite (completely legal) from the Rosstech website. Once installed, and using a KKL lead, bought for under £10, you can scan your car, and will, in most instances, get one ,or more error codes, that will give a very good idea of what's wrong. The error code/codes can be posted here, and you'll get replies that aren't guesswork. Rosstech also have a wiki that will give guidance too.
I'm talking about a scan, to read errors, nothing more. No risk of damage/corruption at all, really, none at all. Just click on a button, and away she goes.
I understand that not everyone can, or wants to, run their own copy of VCDS, But, for under a tenner, many of us could. That would also swell the number of helpers on @Andrew VCDS Volunteers list, and so benefit others, exactly what this forum is about.

This is an attempt to demistfy VCDS. It's just another tool, like a multimeter, and just as easy to use.

Mac.

Note: VCDS is not always easy to install and setup. It's vital to download (from MS) and install the correct device driver first, then VCDS Lite, then, finally and only finally, plug the lead in, so it can find the new driver. If the lead is plugged in before the driver has been installed, the wrong driver will be allocated to the cable, and it will not work.
Throw away any CD that may come with your cable, use only the Rosstech download and MS driver.
 
Thanks you @PlasticMac & @audifan for your time as you have made this very clear now!

Hi N8P ... if you are interested, these are the only modules that I am able to scan on my 1.4 BBY with VCDS Lite (unregistered):
01 - Engine
03 - ABS Brakes
08 - Auto HVAC
15 - Airbags
17 - Instruments
45 - Interior Monitor
46 - Central Convenience
56 - Radio

No auto scan or throttle body adaptations
Measuring blocks on each module is restricted to 01 - 25 and even within these some are further restricted unless you register.
I've found the unregistered Lite version useful for what I needed regarding HVAC and the thermostat/ coolant temperatures.

All the best ... Tom
 
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Hi N8P ... if you are interested a 1.4 BBY with VCDS Lite (unregistered):
01 - Engine
03 - ABS Brakes
08 - Auto HVAC
15 - Airbags
17 - Instruments
45 - Interior Monitor
46 - Central Convenience
56 - Radio

No auto scan or throttle body adaptations
Measuring blocks on each module is restricted to 01 - 25 and even within these some are further restricted unless you register.
I've found the unregistered Lite version useful for what I needed regarding HVAC and the thermostat/ coolant temperatures.

All the best ... Tom
A useful summary but information on fault codes limited is it not?

On your comment "...these are the only modules that I am able to scan...", I don't think there is much else and what there is build dependent, e.g. If your A2 does not have factory rear parking sensor then module 77 will not appear, logical really.

Andy
 
A useful summary but information on fault codes limited is it not?

On your comment "...these are the only modules that I am able to scan...", I don't think there is much else and what there is build dependent, e.g. If your A2 does not have factory rear parking sensor then module 77 will not appear, logical really.

Andy

That's correct Andy, only the first fault code is defined in the unregistered Lite version and if you have more than one fault code per module then only the fault code is given and you will need to look it up to identify.
The list is only a reference to the modules that are available on my own 1.4BBY and not intended to be a definitive list or to add confusion, there are sixteen modules listed on the VCDS Lite software that can be scanned on the A2 if your particular build has them installed.
Apologies for the confusion.
 
That's correct Andy, only the first fault code is defined in the unregistered Lite version and if you have more than one fault code per module then only the fault code is given and you will need to look it up to identify.
The list is only a reference to the modules that are available on my own 1.4BBY and not intended to be a definitive list or to add confusion, there are sixteen modules listed on the VCDS Lite software that can be scanned on the A2 if your particular build has them installed.
Apologies for the confusion.
@Tomscar
Actually, you've clarified that even with the free, unregistered version, you can still see all error codes, just no description for the second and subsequent errors. Limited means limited, not Not Supported. To get help, you only need the code, so no problem at all
I had used the un-registered version for a couple of years, and only registered it when I had a heater flap problem, and wanted to run a full HVAC Controller test
Mac
 
@Tomscar
Actually, you've clarified that even with the free, unregistered version, you can still see all error codes, just no description for the second and subsequent errors. Limited means limited, not Not Supported. To get help, you only need the code, so no problem at all
I had used the un-registered version for a couple of years, and only registered it when I had a heater flap problem, and wanted to run a full HVAC Controller test
Mac

Hi there Mac, thanks for that, my post #15 wasn't very clear ... I'm still deliberating over the registered Lite version and the full version as I also have a 2015 Citigo to look after. Can't imagine I will ever be doing any coding alterations but would like to be able to clean the throttle body, EGR and anything else that needs adaptations afterwards ...
All the best ... Tom
 
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