FAO guys with VAG-COM

[loud]

I was looking at getting an ebay lead to read error codes etc, but noticed a lot will say up to 2005.

Does anyone know if these leads work with 9N3 polo's?

[chewy]

One of these will work mate they are compatible with the can-bus system

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Autel-Geniscan-va ... 240%3A1318

[loud]

Hey mate, cheers for that but I'm ideally after one I can use with my laptop. Do 9N3 polos use the CAN-Bus system?

[chewy]

Yeah iirc from 2005 they started using the can-bus system.

[RUM4MO]

I'd say if you are really wanting VAG-COM as a fully functioning diagnostic tool, then avoid ebay ones and head straight for rosstech in USA or one of their UK distributors. The Gendan scan tool might be all you need if you are not going to go "too deep" - but remember it only covers ENGINE + AUTO TRANS + SRS + ABS plus its handy to keep in the glove box, I've got one of them as well as VCDS.

[more-bhp]

for a cheap code reader you can just nip down to Argos...

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/c ... 402742.htm

but what you can do with VCDS from Rosstech is amazing...

http://www.ross-tech.com/Merchant2/merc ... ode=VAGCOM

It is the most used tool I have ... next to my laptop.. lol

[RUM4MO]

Just a word of warning for anyone thinking about buying the Argos RAC code reader, first I haven't worked out what RAC stands for - its not RAC as in motoring services, secondly, as its only an OBD2 reader it will only recognise the P0??? group of codes and they are only related to engine emissions on any marque of car. The Gendan one I suggested is VAG specific and will list any P???? ENGINE + AUTO TRANS + SRS + ABS codes logged on any VAG car - but nothing on any non-VAG car. The latest VCDS will also operate in a general OBD2 mode for work on nonVAG cars - but it will just spit out numbers which will mean nothing unless you have access to listings for all other marques as anything above P0999 tends to be marque specific.

[more-bhp]

You have the Argos code reader ????

We have one as a back-up tool incase we get something strange in - and its surprisingly useful... it doesnt like Fords much ... but then I have a dedicated tool for Fords... most times if you have an engine check light on.. it will read the code and let you clear it if you wish... it can also do more but I havent explored these options... all code definations it can read are listed in a book and also provided on CD-rom.... dont discount it .. its ok.. and simple to use..and easy to go and buy ...

For VAG we always use full licenced VCDS.. but for the cost for some its overkill...

As for any error codes.. it takes a second to type the code into google.. and find the meaning and often the solution...

We use VCDS every single day.. but we dont just look at error codes...for what we do it is vital....

[RUM4MO]

You have the Argos code reader ????

We have one as a back-up tool incase we get something strange in - and its surprisingly useful... it doesnt like Fords much ... but then I have a dedicated tool for Fords... most times if you have an engine check light on.. it will read the code and let you clear it if you wish... it can also do more but I havent explored these options... all code definations it can read are listed in a book and also provided on CD-rom.... dont discount it .. its ok.. and simple to use..and easy to go and buy ...

For VAG we always use full licenced VCDS.. but for the cost for some its overkill...

As for any error codes.. it takes a second to type the code into google.. and find the meaning and often the solution...

We use VCDS every single day.. but we dont just look at error codes...for what we do it is vital....

No I have not got the Argos code reader as I only wanted to cover VAG but a bit more than the engine - this Gendan code reader is a lot cheaper than the Argos one and most DIYers on this forum would normally only need to use a code reader on VAG cars, so with this one you can also read SRS and ABS VAG codes - it is only kept in the glove box for problems "on the road", I tend to use VCDS for other work at home, but it can also operate in a OBD2 "any marque" mode - but you then need to work out what the marque specific codes mean. Actually as for getting a good and full listing of VAG codes, that is the only weakness of this Gendan code reader, the supplied list was incomplete, as are most of the lists for VAG available on the web - but you only find that out when most of the codes you pick up either on your own cars or friends cars have an embarassing habit of not being on your list!!