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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: Ashley on 06 May 2008, 12:48

Title: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 06 May 2008, 12:48
Ok - I know what it is, and I semi know how it works.

What I want to know is what to buy and download? Which lead from ebay and which software will work with it on both a 1.4 mk3 1994 and an 8v mk3 1997 ?

Cheers guys :laugh:
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Pete Taylor on 06 May 2008, 13:32
For both cars you will need this lead...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-COM-409-1-USB-KKL-VW-AUDI-SEAT-SKODA-Diagnostics-UK_W0QQitemZ150242493041QQihZ005QQcategoryZ30921QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The software you will need on this page

http://www.ross-tech.com/vag-com/download/archives.html

you want version 409.1 for modern serial interfaces.

That setup will work on the 97 golf as it's OBD2. To get it to work on the older OBD1 golf you wll need to get a converter or a seperate OBD1 cable
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: boneybradley on 06 May 2008, 13:32
the 97 car should be obd2..the plug is located at the ashtray side...while the 94 could be either (but most likely obd1) and thats located behind the blanks next to the rear screen heater switch... you will need 2 cables if different and the obd1 has less interrigation facilities!!
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 06 May 2008, 13:54
As the 1.4 1994 is mine I know for a fact it's got a socket behind a plate next to the ashtray, so does this mean mine's definitely obd2 or is it likely that it's just a non-wired socket? I've heard some of the sockets are blanks, but I don't know if this would apply for me?

what do you mean by the obd1 has less interrigation facilities? any examples of what you mean?

Cheers guys

Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: boneybradley on 06 May 2008, 15:36
if its by the ashtray its obd2... and on obd1 cars you dont get as many fault codes. basically it will say a sensor has gone but wont give detailed instructions like the obd2 cars do..they can say if the faults intermitent and some details on why that is..oh and you cant modify the map on the ecu's!!
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 06 May 2008, 16:11
Wicked. so just to confirm - if its got the socket under a plastic slide to the left of the ashtray, it's OBD2 which is the same as my friends 1998 8v gti (sorry i said '97 earlier) ?

Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: boneybradley on 06 May 2008, 16:55
yes
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 06 May 2008, 17:04
thankyou!

also another quick question (soz.) - the ebay link i was given at the beginning of this thread refers to a £17.99 jobby, would a cheaper 1 make any diffenence?
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: boneybradley on 06 May 2008, 17:05
its as simple as the one listed works....dunno about the cheapo ones! :undecided:
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Shady Pioneer on 06 May 2008, 23:39
I keep hearing about this VAG COM business. Is it worth investing in?

I have a Mac so would use my parents Laptop to do this.

What exactly does VAG COM do?
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: flex on 07 May 2008, 00:10
I keep hearing about this VAG COM business. Is it worth investing in?

I have a Mac so would use my parents Laptop to do this.

What exactly does VAG COM do?

My car broke down not too long ago and i determined that the plugs were not sparking but had no real idea what was causing this. I bought exactly the same lead as this from ebay and installed the software on me laptop plugged it into the car and it gave me a pretty tidy little report listing any faults that have been logged in the ecu. Mine was a problem with the engine speed sensor which i then changed and the car has been sweet ever since.

If i had of taken it to a garage they would of charged me a lot more for the initial diagnostics so it was money well spent and i recommened getting one.

Here is an example of what the report looks like:

VAG-COM Version: Release  311.2-N


Chassis Type: 1H - VW G/J/V Mk3
Scan: 01,02,03,08,15,25,56
 
Address 01     -------------------------------------------------------
   Controller: 037 906 024 BE
   Component: DIGIFANT 3.2        1953   
2 Faults Found:
00525 - Oxygen Sensor (G39)
            03-00 - No Signal
00513 - Engine Speed Sensor (G28)
            27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
Readiness: N/A

Address 03     -------------------------------------------------------
   Controller: 3A0 907 379  E
   Component: ABS/EDS ITTAE 20 GI V00
   Coding: 03704
   Shop #: WSC 00000
2 Faults Found:
01276 - ABS Hydraulic Pump (V64)
            16-00 - Signal Outside Specifications
00287 - ABS Wheel Speed Sensor: Rear Right (G44)
            16-10 - Signal Outside Specifications - Intermittent

Skipping Address 15-Airbags

Address 25     -------------------------------------------------------
   Controller: 1H0 953 257  B
   Component: IMMO VWZ3Z0T2358765 V00
   Coding: 09600
   Shop #: WSC 00000
No fault code found.

End   -------------------------------------------------------

As you can tell there were a number of faults picked up on mine but i pretty much have them all sorted now!

Normally u wont get the full description of the fault code logged using the unregistered shareware version, but it will give you the fault code which u can just look up here anyway: http://wiki.ross-tech.com/index.php/Category:Fault_Codes (I managed to obtain a registered version of an older release 311.2 but it works great and shows u the full descriptions etc)
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 07 May 2008, 21:46
cheers for that flex. cant wait to get mine now!

it seems so easy for something that garages can charge a bomb for.. my mates 8v failed an mot because of a number of things and 1 of them was an "unknown electrical fault" which they were quoting hours on finding - if its as easy as plug it in and reference any codes with that site it'd be sweet as.
Title: Re: VAG COM
Post by: Ashley on 08 May 2008, 14:32
OK - I've just ordered mine - just waiting delivery and we're away!