Rusty911
A2OC Donor
Ages ago a friend (having sold his A8) gave me a CD with a 'beta' VAG-COM and what I assume is a Chinese lead. It's been fine for pulling the odd code but I've rarely needed it as the Passat has been a paragon of reliability.
Fast forward to buying Lasi last month (late 2001 build, Feb 2002 registered) 1.4 petrol which has had EML up for ages according to PO. Remember the old laptop with VAG-COM and dig it out. It pulled the codes which I won't go into here, but as I was about to clear them it lost communication with the cable and hasn't been able to see it since.
From pulling the codes to attempted delete nothing changed: ignition remained on, laptop remained on and running VAG-Com, cable not knocked or unplugged. Have tried starting again booting laptop with cable in, different USB outlets etc. Main thing is something has changed as it was reliable until then. Car battery absolutely fine.
Laptop hasn't made contact with the outside world so no invasions or updates or known changes of any sort since, well, probably years ago.
What I haven't done is try the set-up in the Passat for fear of doing something to that. I.e. the 'is it the car, is it the laptop/cable/software' question.
I'll always be an owner of something VAG so happy to get something legal assuming not lots of £100's, if that's what it needs: I can't see it being likely I'll ever get a very late car. My absolute top limit would be a 2016 Passat possibly but for now it'll just be early (2005 and backwards) cars. Even so, that doesn't explain why this set-up should work fine and then just stop: is there anything that the car could have done to the lead/software/computer? If that's the case, clearly I'd be reluctant to spend out on a 'real' setup only for it to get spiked.
BTW, looking at Ross-Tech site, looks like the 'VCDS HEX-USB+CAN Interface Package' (£369) has been removed, leaving HEX-V2® USB (3 (£225) or 10 (£299) Vin limit) or HEX-NET® from £430.
All I need is the ability to troubleshoot, reset codes and perhaps code in cruise or whatever (which I did on the Passat with above set-up thinking about it).
Any advice / ideas?
Many thanks indeed.
Oh yes, I have an iCarsoft CR Plus, but interestingly, that lists 3 fault codes but will not bring up any form of number or description saying car not OBDII compliant, let alone clear codes. Is this a clue to the above possibly? Frankly the thing's garbage, so I'm not hugely surprised it failed to do much. Not tried my Volvo DICE or £7 eBay OBDII dongle / iPhone yet!
Fast forward to buying Lasi last month (late 2001 build, Feb 2002 registered) 1.4 petrol which has had EML up for ages according to PO. Remember the old laptop with VAG-COM and dig it out. It pulled the codes which I won't go into here, but as I was about to clear them it lost communication with the cable and hasn't been able to see it since.
From pulling the codes to attempted delete nothing changed: ignition remained on, laptop remained on and running VAG-Com, cable not knocked or unplugged. Have tried starting again booting laptop with cable in, different USB outlets etc. Main thing is something has changed as it was reliable until then. Car battery absolutely fine.
Laptop hasn't made contact with the outside world so no invasions or updates or known changes of any sort since, well, probably years ago.
What I haven't done is try the set-up in the Passat for fear of doing something to that. I.e. the 'is it the car, is it the laptop/cable/software' question.
I'll always be an owner of something VAG so happy to get something legal assuming not lots of £100's, if that's what it needs: I can't see it being likely I'll ever get a very late car. My absolute top limit would be a 2016 Passat possibly but for now it'll just be early (2005 and backwards) cars. Even so, that doesn't explain why this set-up should work fine and then just stop: is there anything that the car could have done to the lead/software/computer? If that's the case, clearly I'd be reluctant to spend out on a 'real' setup only for it to get spiked.
BTW, looking at Ross-Tech site, looks like the 'VCDS HEX-USB+CAN Interface Package' (£369) has been removed, leaving HEX-V2® USB (3 (£225) or 10 (£299) Vin limit) or HEX-NET® from £430.
All I need is the ability to troubleshoot, reset codes and perhaps code in cruise or whatever (which I did on the Passat with above set-up thinking about it).
Any advice / ideas?
Many thanks indeed.
Oh yes, I have an iCarsoft CR Plus, but interestingly, that lists 3 fault codes but will not bring up any form of number or description saying car not OBDII compliant, let alone clear codes. Is this a clue to the above possibly? Frankly the thing's garbage, so I'm not hugely surprised it failed to do much. Not tried my Volvo DICE or £7 eBay OBDII dongle / iPhone yet!
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