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The Perils of the DIY Mechanic - to VCDS or to not VCDS

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  • The Perils of the DIY Mechanic - to VCDS or to not VCDS

    Hi all,

    Relatively new round here but on VWVortex but prefer to get some local opinions.

    Before everyone starts flaming me for the above, I am not questioning the value of VCDS.

    HOWEVER, for someone like me who is weekend/DIY mechanic and just likes solving problems under the bonnet as they crop up, I feel that VCDS would be a bit of an overkill for what I actually need it for ie: diagnosing faults, researching the fault and then being able to determine whether I can fix it myself or if i'm better suited to take it to a professional at least armed with some knowledge of the problem... Any sort of tuning etc i'll gladly take to a professional also.

    The second problem I have is that I am a Mac user (as is the rest of my house) and have no interest in buying a version of windows to bootcamp for the sole purpose of VCDS if I can avoid it at all possible so really need a stand alone unit that will do the above.

    Checking out Super Cheap Auto and they have an Actron Scanner which claims to work with my 2002 Golf GTi.

    From an Australian and unbiased point of view, will this be enough and will it do what I want it to do?

  • #2
    Originally posted by the_clive View Post
    Hi all,

    Relatively new round here but on VWVortex but prefer to get some local opinions.

    Before everyone starts flaming me for the above, I am not questioning the value of VCDS.

    HOWEVER, for someone like me who is weekend/DIY mechanic and just likes solving problems under the bonnet as they crop up, I feel that VCDS would be a bit of an overkill for what I actually need it for ie: diagnosing faults, researching the fault and then being able to determine whether I can fix it myself or if i'm better suited to take it to a professional at least armed with some knowledge of the problem... Any sort of tuning etc i'll gladly take to a professional also.

    The second problem I have is that I am a Mac user (as is the rest of my house) and have no interest in buying a version of windows to bootcamp for the sole purpose of VCDS if I can avoid it at all possible so really need a stand alone unit that will do the above.

    Checking out Super Cheap Auto and they have an Actron Scanner which claims to work with my 2002 Golf GTi.

    From an Australian and unbiased point of view, will this be enough and will it do what I want it to do?
    I have VCDS and to be honest, I don't think anything else compares. So I'd encourage you to go to a specialist or buy your own lead.

    Gavin
    optimumcode@gmail.com | https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/for...i-;-79012.html | https://www.facebook.com/TTY-Euro-107982291992533

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    • #3
      Going through the same thoughts myself .... I have plenty of windows desktops but the laptops are Macs ... I'd be willing to share ownership of the software and the associated costs ... But still need a laptop !!

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      • #4
        Maybe just borrow one. Plenty of people around with a VCDS willing to help out. Check out the thread under vcds technical resources. Other than that i got mine for $200 which is pittance compared to how much i've spent on the car.
        sigpic
        2001 Turbo! 4mo Bora 'Boring' | Carbinaro CAI | Fixing broken stuff | Sorting the Turbo Goodness! | BBS Lm's 18x8.5 | KW V2's | 4 pot Brembo's

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        • #5
          So after internet perusing for a couple of hours, I've ended up parting with $70 for this.

          The same item sells at SCA for $169 and the online reviews are relatively positive, I figured it solves my issue of not needing a computer (iPhone/iPad app, connects via bluetooth) and plus does what i need it too and more.

          Once it arrives next week, I'll post a review about it.

          Yes I understand its not VCDS but my question was can I get by with basic DIY stuff without VCDS for now when all I want to do is scan codes - this fits my needs and states it works with my model so fingers crossed!

          Comment


          • #6
            I bought a bt dongle, by all accounts it as a bit cheaper.....

            But it still didn't work. Keen to hear how you go.

            If you have Ann android device, I'd recommend you get an app called "torque"... Not sure if it's on Apple devices.
            '02 GTI (clicky) - REFLEX SILVER - VIEZU race tune. VAR design 2.5inch stainless steel dump pipe with 100cell cat into 2.5" billyboat stainless cat back, Forge TIP, N75, Audi DV, ghetto CAI, FK-AK s coilovers, tunerdone LEDs, Clarion CZ301E sound stage.

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            • #7
              Originally posted by Back Door Shenanigans. View Post
              Maybe just borrow one. Plenty of people around with a VCDS willing to help out. Check out the thread under vcds technical resources. Other than that i got mine for $200 which is pittance compared to how much i've spent on the car.
              Where did you purchase for $200?

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              • #8
                Originally posted by leighaus View Post
                I bought a bt dongle, by all accounts it as a bit cheaper.....

                But it still didn't work. Keen to hear how you go.

                If you have Ann android device, I'd recommend you get an app called "torque"... Not sure if it's on Apple devices.
                I have the same concern but I figured buying from a somewhat reputable brand as opposed to some cheap adaptor off ebay will help me win - buying a product that SCA stocks gives me a little bit more buying confidence.

                I've downloaded the U-Scan app and i like the user interface. You do need to make additional IAP to unlock content thats specific to your Make but to get what you need would probably be $20 max if you're just using it for one vehicle.

                I also contemplated this - Lemur BlueDriver - which has some pretty good reviews as well, but it wasn't clear that they supported cars in Australia, hence why i opted for the Actron U-Scan.

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                • #9
                  I'll be very keen to hear how this actron scanner goes for myself as well.

                  I accidentally tore the ABS wiring to my passenger side hub and, as expected, the ABS & ESP light has come on. As far as I know, I need VCDS to clear the error/warning light.

                  Does VCDS reveal any errors even if there is no CEL ?
                  Originally posted by MightyCarMods
                  I'd rather lose by a mile because I built my own car, than win by an inch because someone else built it for me. Your car is your story, so don't let someone else write the book.

                  -| "Laura" - 2001 Bora 4-motion (now sold) |-

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by RubAVeeDubDub View Post
                    I'll be very keen to hear how this actron scanner goes for myself as well.

                    I accidentally tore the ABS wiring to my passenger side hub and, as expected, the ABS & ESP light has come on. As far as I know, I need VCDS to clear the error/warning light.

                    Does VCDS reveal any errors even if there is no CEL ?
                    VCDS can see everything. if you have fixed your wiring you need it to clear the fault. Torque only works in the engine ECU, to the best of my knowledge.

                    Gavin
                    optimumcode@gmail.com | https://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/for...i-;-79012.html | https://www.facebook.com/TTY-Euro-107982291992533

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      I use an ASUS EeePC netbook with my VCDS cable. It cost me $180 - new. Comes in handy for other stuff & as a backup laptop. It might be an alternative for the mac users.
                      carandimage The place where Off-Topic is On-Topic
                      I used to think I was anal-retentive until I started getting involved in car forums

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                      • #12
                        It does not need to be some high speed laptop. You could probably get a laptop from ebay for $20 and acquire xp from someone or somewhere.

                        Also i have been using the Chinese vagcom cable running 409.1 for years now and i have been able to do a tonne of stuff.

                        Although the cable/software is brilliant and i should actually buy the genuine article as it has been invaluable to me.

                        But the Chinese cable is like $5-10. So start there i say. Any help in setting up, just pm me.

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                        • #13
                          Just my 2 cents on those ebay scanners...

                          I use a Bluetooth scanner with torque on an android phone. You can also get BT scanners to work on iPhones, you just have to buy the Wifi specific adapters.

                          For the price ($25 including the app) its good, but really doesn't work well for VW as it doesn't have VW specific codes.

                          VCDS would be a good investment IMO considering it has all the specific VW fault codes...

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                          • #14
                            Appreciate your comment Brad - even though a netbook is a fairly cheap windows based item, its an unrequired expense for what I need it for at this time.

                            Just will note, if i plan on getting serious monitoring and diagnotic scanning on my Golf, I'll be more than happy to go with the VCDS + netbook setup when the funds become available, more looking for an interim solution that will suit my curiosities until I outgrow that tool in about 12 months time...

                            EDIT: thinking about it, if i'm going to go down that route, i might as well bootcamp my macbook - a copy of windows 7 would be cheaper than buying a netbook for the sole purpose of diagnostics...
                            Last edited by the_clive; 18-06-2014, 11:36 AM.

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by blake_ View Post
                              Just my 2 cents on those ebay scanners...

                              I use a Bluetooth scanner with torque on an android phone. You can also get BT scanners to work on iPhones, you just have to buy the Wifi specific adapters.

                              For the price ($25 including the app) its good, but really doesn't work well for VW as it doesn't have VW specific codes.

                              VCDS would be a good investment IMO considering it has all the specific VW fault codes...
                              Hey blake_

                              My main reason for trying out the Actron U-Scan is because you can make an IAP that unlocks the Volkswagen specific error codes (around $8 i think) and also provides you an extensive database on what the error codes mean and what you need to do to fix the error code ie: Oxygen sensor faulty > replace oxygen sensor etc.

                              Upon further research, it also does live data feeds straight to the U-Scan app on your iPhone or iPad.

                              I just want to point out that the Actron u-scan is not a cheap ebay knock off from china. I did some research on Actron and they seem to be a reputable market player in scanning equipment. I also had to order this product off Amazon so its coming direct from their warehouse.

                              If this product actually does what it says it does, I think it will be a great short term investment until I get a little more heavy handed.

                              Item should show up by the end of the month from the USA, will post a separate review for everyone once I get it.

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