Why Vag-Com tool?
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Why Vag-Com tool?
I searched about the archives in an attempt to answer my qustion, but could not find what I was looking for. I'm sure in the past this was endlessly hacked out, but in my time on the forum, I have not seen this discussion. What accrues to one by virtue of using a vag-com tool other than having a toy to play with. If my car acts up, I'm not going to screw around diagnosing it - I'm heading to the dealership. I understand that fault codes, etc., can be reset, etc., but is there a compelling reason(s) to own one? Thanks. BTW, where does it hook up in the TT?
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You can use it to read and clear fault codes as well as to change the soft programming (edited)
...of components in your car like the radio and central locking system. It's also a great way to meet people as I have had numerous people stop by my house to have VAG programming done. 
Oh yeah, although I haven't done this yet, you can also log data that your car collects like horsepower/torque, Air/Fuel, etc. and plot them on graphs in tool slike Excel. This is excellent and I plan on doing this soon.
Oh yeah, although I haven't done this yet, you can also log data that your car collects like horsepower/torque, Air/Fuel, etc. and plot them on graphs in tool slike Excel. This is excellent and I plan on doing this soon.
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When it's 2:30 AM on a Sunday morning and your check engine light comes on...
...you now have an alternative to being without your car for the three weeks that it will take you to get a dealer appointment for them to tell you that your gas cap is loose. I have never used mine to diagnose a problem on the submarine yet (knock on wood), but would feel naked taking a road trip without it these days.
It plugs into the factory diagnostics connector, located under the dashboard near the hood release lever. The other end plugs into your notebook computer's serial port (or desktop PC with a long serial cable extension).....<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/">VAG-COM home page</a></li></ul>
It plugs into the factory diagnostics connector, located under the dashboard near the hood release lever. The other end plugs into your notebook computer's serial port (or desktop PC with a long serial cable extension).....<ul><li><a href="http://www.ross-tech.com/">VAG-COM home page</a></li></ul>
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I was just sniffing around on the site, and for example on one page it requires a log in code which
apparently must be obtained from the service manual. How does one (with no SM) obtain those type of codes?
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If you have a extra ECU, then you want one ...
... because when you swap the ECUs to take the car to the dealer for anything. The ECU just put back in the car will have a low voltage fault code. Something the dealers can keep track of to know you have a "chipped" car.
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Many of the login codes are undocumented, but you can spend another $99.95 and...
...buy the official Bentley Shop Manual CD-ROM and gain access to what many of the diagnostics codes mean. I bought the CD the day that it was announced, because the SCCA requires me to carry the official shop manual to all national-level events. Whether or not it is a prudent investment in your case is your own personal decision.....<ul><li><a href="http://www.bentleypublishers.com/product.htm?code=EATT">Robert Bentley Publishers Audi TT Official Shop Manual on CD-ROM</a></li></ul>
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Fortunately my dealer alleges to be chip friendly. Lead tech said if I have a spare ECU
bring it with me when it comes in for service (OEM ECU), and if not "no big deal." Of course I neglected to get that in writing.
SCTT - I can relate to that - I always love to own all of the appropriate toys.
SCTT - I can relate to that - I always love to own all of the appropriate toys.