Car diagnostic fault reader

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 11:43 pm

Just curious to know whether anyone has used one of those to read faults on there car? if so, is it worth buying? im looking at item number 150165109325 on ebay, can anyone recommend it?...ive tried the vag-com thing but no luck...i couldnt get it to work!
thanks

Post by **alexperkins** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:15 am

how come you couldnt get vag com to work?

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:40 pm

Unfortunately im not too great with computers, it said something about the com port....ive given up on it!! i brought two different leads but wasnt able to get it to work...so ive given up, but just saw the reader shown, its sound like it does the same job...just want to confirm it? thanks for asking though!

vdubit · Post by **vdubit** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:41 pm

Don't bother with it. All it'll tell you is a 4 digit code. You'll then need autodata or similar to find out what this code means. Just don't give up on vag com, its the bee's knees when it works.

You need to plug your lead in to your pc, go to start, then control panel. Click system, then click the 'hardware' tab. Click on 'device manager'. Click the little + sign on the one where it says com and lpt ports. Go onto whatever your com port is called, it'll be something like com5. Change this to com 3. It may say this is already in use. Don't worry about it if it does. Job done! Plug the cable into your port, switch the ignition on, then run vag com. Go into options, select com 3 then click test. Assuming it all works click save.

Thanks alex for helping me out with this, i was making such a stupid mistake!

Post by **alexperkins** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 6:49 pm

Couldnt have put it better myself

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:10 pm

thanks for that!! sounds like i might have to invest in my 3rd lead, as the other two got soaked in water!!.....thanks again

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:44 am

soaked in water

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 10:54 am

yep!! not exactly water though! it was actually oil!! i had a basic service done on my car, changed the oil, and as your never able to use up all the remaining oil left in the tub/container, i thought it'd be a good idea to leave it in the boot, for emergencies! you can probably guess the rest!...i need a new boot floor lining thing! cant put anything in the boot as its comes out greasy!

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:00 am

Yumm

Some acetone cleaner or something like that should get all the oil off the cables!!

Its irritating our cars only take 3.5l of oil

Ive got nearly a full bottle of leftover oil now so i wont need to buy any next time round

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:09 pm

yeah, well in anger i got rid of all the oil that had been accumulated! but in fairness i probably wouldnt have used them anyways, as i would have felt guilty in giving the car leftovers!!!

...oh and the leads have been chucked away already!!...i dont need vag com now anyways, but it is always handy!! thanks again!

ceedubya · Post by **ceedubya** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 1:55 pm

i use one of those code readers and i find it very handy

i also have vagcom which i hardly ever use now as the code reader is so much quicker

i can read, check, erase faults with the code reader before the lap top is even switched on

NAZPOLOGTI · Post by **NAZPOLOGTI** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 6:45 pm

oh ok, see thats what ive been told by a friend too!! ok thats kinda confused me now!!...thanks though!

PD · Post by PD » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:01 pm

ceedubya wrote:i use one of those code readers and i find it very handy

i also have vagcom which i hardly ever use now as the code reader is so much quicker

i can read, check, erase faults with the code reader before the lap top is even switched on

but then dont you need the laptop any way to go check out what the fault code means?

get rid of the reader and just use a laptop less kit. hah

any vag com questions pm me as i have spent a long time getting it to work.

Post by **alexperkins** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:10 pm

The almighty king of VAG COM!! All hail lol

ceedubya · Post by **ceedubya** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 12:17 am

but then dont you need the laptop any way to go check out what the fault code means?

no

you check the 4 digit code in a small booklet (provided with the reader) which gives you a similar description to the one you get with vagcom.

get rid of the reader and just use a laptop less kit. hah

code reader lives in my glovebox along with a load of other stuff

laptop lives in the house, is probably flat and i aint leaving that in my car