Grantcos

I'm having this problem with the birds vw beetle brakes and was thinking about buying a diagnostics (sp) machine or a vag com cable but i find this daunting having to download software.
What would be better a hand held unit that I can use on other cars or this lead?
Can the lead then be used with other cars being OBDII - ie is there software available for others makes.

The car is a 2.0L 2000 beetle, would this be suitable.....
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VAG-USB-DIAGNO...item4ced5b44c6

or any recomendations on a hand held please under £50 and if it just reads the codes, where would I get the information to decode them


Thank you

baggy1979

Hi mate whats the fault with the brakes? vag-com is a very useful diagnostic tool if you know how to use it. have you used it before?

1.9 xr2 on 40's

ive had 3 different types o fvag com none worked
pissed off with the hassle and have up after people tried to fix (from afar) it but couldnt

i have a mac code reade rthats great but it dont do brakes abs or airbags, i dont think many under 500 - a G do

Mark_

ive got the latest vag com with a dummy ebay lead and it works well,
reads codes and gives you a brief description and part numbers for offending parts.

can also clear codes which is handy

Grantcos

2000 2L beetle.

The red warning light is flashing on the dash and beeps 3 times really loudly, it was fine the last time driven, started up and taken out of the garage yesterday and washed and now have this problem.

I have checked the brake fluid - fine

Taken the tailights out and cleaned the conections - wd-40'd - Fine

Taken the centre consul out and worked the hanbrake switch - Fine

Pad wear circuit.
Pads have loads of life in them, but chopped the wiring and spliced it incase there was a problem with the wire in the pad, no difference and the circuit seems fine as when i disconect the wiring plug the yellow circle with the lines round it illuminates - so this all apears ok.

There is only a brake wear wire on the passenger side - is this normal?

Is there pad ware sensors at the rear?

The fault is still there, flashing red after the engine has been running for a few minutes, and still flashes even with the handbrake applied, rather than going solid red if it was normal.

I've got no experience with any diagnostic readers except my trusty paper clip that coud be used in my mr2 and the ecu light would "flash" the code - ah the simple ways.

Haha oh well not going to get much for under £50 then

foreigneRS

they have some good stuff on here that's cheap

http://www.e-diagnostics.co.uk/

Gav Diamond

iTrader: (6)

If you have a laptop there is no reason the £12 lead and disk off ebay will not work.

I run one of these leads but upgraded to the full open Vag-com for $99 (now called VCDS lite) off Ross-tech but the ones off ebay will still allow you to read the faults and clear the codes.

DAN P

iTrader: (1)

just got one of ebay does every car from 2000 reads and clears codes and does all the vag range from air bags to abs does every thing

Mark_

thats what i use, VCDS-Lite.

just the free version though. good enough for reading codes and clearing them.
got my lead off ebay

Grantcos

Thats great, cleared that up thanks for that guys!!!
Cool, what one one you recomend I get / download?
or i'm still thinking about a small one that I can use on other cars too, any sugestions.
Thank you!!!!

Mark_

download from here

http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/download/index.html


not sure what version you need though

BIG WULL

iTrader: (5)

i have vag com software latest on disk could do for say a tenner? many other programmes available too. pm if interested

H7 CYA

iTrader: (3)

Anyone got a link to there fleabay cheapy vag coms? Have always been lead to believe they are very basic?

Mark_

they are the ones you can download for free i think from ross tech

1.9 xr2 on 40's

i have one and it was shite, triied others and they were shite

best find someone local who has it and bung em a ten spot

(ask on seatcupra.net)

my mac reader was only £60 from mac man well i gave a score from my mate that paid 60

H7 CYA

iTrader: (3)

Yeah think your right mate. Might wait and see if a half decent 2nd hand one comes up.

Grantcos

I think i've fixed it, but still intrested in getting something for the future.
Big Wull - Is that a copy of the full version?
That mac reader whats it like, just numbers displayed? Where do you get the codes from thereafter to find out what they mean?

I think I would really like one that I can use on any car tho.