Recommended obd scanner
03-07-2019, 09:56 AM
#1
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Recommended obd scanner
Hey all,
I just purchased my first b6 A4. I'm diving head first into this car that needs a lot of help. Right off the bat, im trying to scan CEL and the traction control light, but my obd2 scanner doesn't read Audi. I have been doing some google searches and before i drop $200 i figured id ask what any one on here thinks is a good one to go with. I'd love to have one that reads/erases codes for airbags, cel, abs and things like that. . . .Thanks so much!
I just purchased my first b6 A4. I'm diving head first into this car that needs a lot of help. Right off the bat, im trying to scan CEL and the traction control light, but my obd2 scanner doesn't read Audi. I have been doing some google searches and before i drop $200 i figured id ask what any one on here thinks is a good one to go with. I'd love to have one that reads/erases codes for airbags, cel, abs and things like that. . . .Thanks so much!
03-07-2019, 01:34 PM
#2
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I would get a VAGCOM software from Ross Tech. I didn't study the website very closely, but you used to be able to get a free version with limited capability. You can also get the full version for a few bucks. The advantage of VAGCOM is it will point you more directly to the problem.
Ross-Tech: VCDS: Downloads: Current Release and Manual
Ross-Tech: VCDS: Downloads: Current Release and Manual
03-07-2019, 02:39 PM
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I actually saw that one. . . And it probably sounds crazy but I actually don’t have a laptop to use with that so I guess I was lookin more at the hand helds. One question I have is, is VAGCOM the name for the system Audi runs?
03-08-2019, 04:43 PM
#4
I have this unit, purchased about 4-5 years ago for around $100. It can do many things - reset lights, a full car scan that takes close to an hour. Not sure if it as capable as the software mentioned, but can give you a lot of detail on your car's systems. It might be out of production now, but here's one on eBay. Pretty sure it's all you'll need and probably more.
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F27 3749576742
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F27 3749576742
03-14-2019, 12:03 AM
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I know the OP would rather have a hand-held scanner, but +1 for VAGCOM from Ross Tech. Made/makes it much easier to diagnose my '98 A4's ever so many issues over the years, and avoid going down garden paths with shops that (I discovered) knew less than I did about the car.
Since I got the car, I've been running VAGCOM on a Thinkpad from ~2008. An old "netbook" with a 10" screen would be fine, and should cost much at all.
Since I got the car, I've been running VAGCOM on a Thinkpad from ~2008. An old "netbook" with a 10" screen would be fine, and should cost much at all.
03-14-2019, 06:12 AM
#7
A friend of ours just got a nice ThinkPad from the last year they were made, for $100. He has a V8 Volvo from around 2012 (a rare bird I guess) and just went to Stage 1. He needed an earlier version of Windows to monkey with the upgrade. The neat thing about the ThinkPad is it has a drain hole on the bottom, so if you dump coffee on it it drains out. It has a 14" screen with a decent amount of Ram.
That could be an option, although my Alltell I think can do about the same thing as Vagcom by Ross Tech. But I really don't know. For $75 OBO on eBay, it's a good deal though
That could be an option, although my Alltell I think can do about the same thing as Vagcom by Ross Tech. But I really don't know. For $75 OBO on eBay, it's a good deal though