Do any of you VW or Audi head have a VAG-COM?

[marcski]

I am thinking of getting one from here for my audi:

http://www.ross-tech.com/

My brother swears by his for his older Jetta and Vanagon.

 

[Geoff]

I have one. I had the serial cable version on my MK IV GTI and had to upgrade to the USB version with my MK V GTI. You're totally blind without it. I do a scan every 5K miles when it's time for an oil change.

 

[severine]

I think Brian does for his Passat. I'll direct him to this thread...

 

[WJenness]

My buddy has one (he has an S4, I have an A4)... It's invaluable.

We've also used it on his ex-wife's golf, my ex-girlfriend's jetta, a friends jetta, and a few other random vehicles.

it's REALLY useful.

-w

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

Wish i had one, the epc light just came on

 

[Glenn]

It seems like a really cool tool. I've been on the fence for awhile about getting one. The cost holds me back.

For a quick CEL scan, I'll head to AutoZone. They scan for free and I just look the code up online.

 

[Geoff]

I used my Vag-Com last night to debug what turned out to be a faulty tire pressure gauge. Serves me right for buying it at Walmart. The Ace Hardware version I bought yesterday is reliable.

This all started with the usual tire pressure monitoring system complaint of low tire pressure the first time it gets cold. I finally got around to digging out my compressor yesterday to put more air in the tires. According to my Walmart tire pressure gauge, the tires needed _A LOT_ of air. I didn't like the looks of it so I booted my notebook computer, updated to the latest version of the Ross-Tech software, and checked the tire pressure the sensors on the valve stems were reporting. It's supposed to be 2.4 BAR. It was saying 5 BAR which is 70 PSI! I drove to Ace Hardware, bought a tire pressure gauge, and bled a boat load of air out of the tires.

A miracle happened on that drive to the hardware store. I heard a rattling sound and though I'd left the hatch open. When I got to the store, I discovered my notebook computer sitting on top of my VW.

 

[WJenness]

A miracle happened on that drive to the hardware store. I heard a rattling sound and though I'd left the hatch open. When I got to the store, I discovered my notebook computer sitting on top of my VW.

Oh man! Did you ever get lucky!

Something like that makes up a little bit for when your car got broken into I guess...

-w

 

[Glenn]

ShamWOW! Glad the laptop was OK! And good thing you got the pressure sorted out.

 

[marcski]

That is nutty lucky, Geoff. The force was with you on the drive to the store!

So, I pulled the plug, bought the VAG-COM. Best $349, I've spent in a while. It found a few more codes than the generic code reader did at my long-time mechanic. This all started with the CEL coming on for a day and then going off for a day or 2. Kept happening over time. I did research the code from the generic reader and thought that I needed to remove and clean the throttle-body. However, once put back on, it apparently needs to be realigned. And, of course, in order to do so, you need a VAG-COM. So, as I was saying, I pulled the plug and got one for myself. It found a few more codes, 2 were with the battery, but it was while I was getting some body damage repaired so they disconnected the battery which apparently threw the codes.

So, anyway, I did bring it into my local buddy/mechanic. Told him that I wanted him to remove the throttle body with me and we cleaned it with MAF cleaner until it shined. Put it back. Followed the Ross-Tech (VAG-COM) wiki and realigned the throttle body. (This was cool, with the engine not running you were able to hear the TB opening and closing and saw the percentages change on the computer at the same time). And that was it. It's been 3 days and the CEL has not come back!!

I would recommend the investment in a VAG-COM.

Next is a brake job, replacing the OEM with ceramic pads. But I have an electronic parking brake, which of course, requires the VAG to release in order to change the rear pads!. I am looking at the wiki and reading up on some forums before I venture there.

 

[skiNEwhere]

I don't have one, but I used one to break the code on my S4 so (passengers, of course) can watch DVD's while in motion