I'll second an interface like VAG-COM.
I paid $99 about 11 yrs ago and have upgraded my dongle (cable USB
interface) for about $40 IIRC. I know I've saved hundreds if not thousands
over the years on my '98 A4 and '03 A6 by being able to read the codes and
take corrective action only if necessary, and clear the code for something
unimportant.
One can also do some fun stuff like change the locking (ie: all unlock with
one button push) and/or close all windows and sunroof with the lock button.
I believe as an investment in a tool that VAG-COM is well worth the money.
my .02
Gordie Bird
--------------------------------------------------
From: "Matt" <mbarre@juno.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 8:51 AM
To: <shop-talk@autox.team.net>
Subject: [Shop-talk] engine diagnostics
> When I got my first relatively inexpensive code reader, I thought "great,
> now
> I can peer into the control systems and maintain all my cars!" It didn't
> take
> long before I realized that wasn't necessarily the case. OBD was
> reasonable
> regulation attempting to standardize trouble reporting and while us
> shadetree
> folks made out well, the justification for guvment monkeying with the
> private
> enterprise of auto manufacturing was emissions. Beyond a common interface
> and
> the mandated basic tuning/emissions requirements, there was no attempt to
> standardize the rest of how your car's computer operated & reported. While
> you
> can get basic code readers out of Asia for under $30, the growth of
> software
> in automotive function and control reveals that there is a whole lot more
> going on than what basic trouble codes reveal. I think the answer will be
> (is) an OBD to USB cable and instead of a dedicated reader, the secret
> sauce
> will be the softwware that runs on your laptop. That is what I had to get
> for
> my VWs and it is called VAG-COM. The capability/flexibility afforded by
> this
> set up is amazing but it isn't cheap - yet. Certainly cheaper than a big
> brand specific diagnostic machine that garages had to buy in the "olden"
> days.
> To combat the eventuality of a $20 cable and bootlegged software, they are
> placing a chip in the cable and the full-capability, supported software
> looks
> for the chip before it will work. I guess it is simply too much to ask
> for
> all car manufacturers to use common or open source programming for their
> products. With no incentive, why would they? MB
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