Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: tunnie on 23 September 2016, 16:15:56
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As VW forums are generally rubbish, I'm posting here for some advice on this software.
As my VW is 'modern' it has things like an electric handbrake, which I do actually really like using day to day. But as with all modern cars, this adds complexity. As such to change the rear pads, you must tell the car to wind the pistons back to change the rear pads. Like it or lump it most new cars have leccy handbrakes, so no point and laughing at my modern car ::) ;D ;D
So I'm looking at this VCDS software:
http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/cat/IC.html (http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/cat/IC.html)
Which appears to be the "go to" software for VW/Audi etc, it's home brew of Tech2 basically, giving full access to do stuff.
Do I understand this correctly, for those who may know this software, that the install itself to Windows is free, it's the "genuine" cables which only speak to later cars?
Research suggests VCDS + cheap eBay adaptors work on old cars, but for modern ones I need a "chipped" cable, so it can talk fully to my 2013 VW?
Looks like powerful software, as I need to use it for things like fuel filter changes as well, to prime it after a change to remove air. It's an expensive investment as it looks to be around £200 for the cable, but so far I'm really liking VW and when the 3.2 goes, I will strongly consider a Passat Estate or the People carrier thing. So a good investment for the future.
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I think the VCDS License with Micro-CAN Interface would be suitable?
http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCuCAN.html (http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCuCAN.html)
As the VCDS Licensewith HEX-USB+CAN Interface is $100 more, I don't think I need it?
http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html (http://store.ross-tech.com/shop/VCHUC.html)
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Some time ago bought genuine vag was about £250+vat , imho real value for money life time up dates and support :y works on all cars from early 90 up to day
Very easy to use too
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I could ask my neighbour what he uses for his Octavia, but you'll only sneer, so I won't.
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I could ask my neighbour what he uses for his Octavia, but you'll only sneer, so I won't.
The Ross Tech kit is what is recommended on Briskoda, so likely that.. it's certainly what I was considering - all sorts of reprogramming opportunities to turn on options the car didn't come with (like traffic sign recognition, on my car) or telling the car it has a pikey bar (although I am probably going to wimp out and pay someone to fit one as there are many stories of the bar disabling the adaptive cruise and needing a recode to fix!)
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Joking aside Aaron I shall ask when I am next home ;)
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Some time ago bought genuine vag was about £250+vat , imho real value for money life time up dates and support :y works on all cars from early 90 up to day
Very easy to use too
Thanks. Where did you source yours from?
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http://www.mi-uk.com/products/ross-tech-vcds/
Was 3-4 years ago so might be a cheaper supplier out there.
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http://www.mi-uk.com/products/ross-tech-vcds/
Was 3-4 years ago so might be a cheaper supplier out there.
That appears the going rate, very tempted to get this. Be a good investment I think
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You don't have to have it for fuel filter changes ;)
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You don't have to have it for fuel filter changes ;)
Hummmm. Various sources say the fuel pump must be primed, after a filter change. To remove the air?
As changing filter looksma doddle, some forums suggest soaking the new filter in diesel first?
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You don't have to have it for fuel filter changes ;)
Hummmm. Various sources say the fuel pump must be primed, after a filter change. To remove the air?
As changing filter looksma doddle, some forums suggest soaking the new filter in diesel first?
what's year is your Passat?
We do a lot VAG TDI CR and all have fuel pump in thank
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I bought mine from Ilexa https://www.ilexa.co.uk/shop/VCDS-VAG-COM (https://www.ilexa.co.uk/shop/VCDS-VAG-COM)
It does everything I need (except key programming) on a 1999 Golf, a 2002 and a 2004 SEAT Ibeza and a 2003 Galaxy TDi (which was built by SEAT on the Sharan production line). (I think these cars are all pre CAN-bus)
I have also used it to scan a recent 3.0 litre diesel Audi with CAN-bus. (I can't remember the model or year)
I did buy an cheap ebay lead to try with the free VAG-COM software but it can only do a limited range of live readings. I don't think it can do any coding. I doubt it will do anything on a can-bus car :-\
The worst bit for me is I have to keep a laptop with a working Windoze partition so I can use the software. Sorting out the new issues that mysteriously appear since I last booted the Win7 partition seem to take longer than the VCDS session >:(
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You don't have to have it for fuel filter changes ;)
Hummmm. Various sources say the fuel pump must be primed, after a filter change. To remove the air?
As changing filter looksma doddle, some forums suggest soaking the new filter in diesel first?
what's year is your Passat?
We do a lot VAG TDI CR and all have fuel pump in thank
I think it is to do with running the pump for long enough to fill the diesel filter and flush most of the air bubbles back to the tank BEFORE you crank the engine.
If Tunnies is set up to run the pump every time the doors are unlocked then he could probably prime the filter by locking and unlocking the car half a dozen times.
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Thanks all.
@Serek it's a 2013 plate, 2014 model Passat CC.
@Andy H, yeah I found that reseller as well, they get good reviews.
I think mine is too new to do the door or ignition prime, that said when I unlock the car the drivers window does go down and I do hear a buzz. The lights come on, so thought it was them warming up :-\
I still need it to wind the Calipers back into "service mode" for rear pads anyway. So it's useful software to have.
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Not denying how useful it will be but, as I said, you don't need it for filter changes... there are other ways ;)
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Not denying how useful it will be but, as I said, you don't need it for filter changes... there are other ways ;)
He will need it to reset service indicator though :y
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Not denying how useful it will be but, as I said, you don't need it for filter changes... there are other ways ;)
He will need it to reset service indicator though :y
Think I can do that via MFD in the car
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Not denying how useful it will be but, as I said, you don't need it for filter changes... there are other ways ;)
He will need it to reset service indicator though :y
Think I can do that via MFD in the car
Possibly,I've never tried to be honest as have scan tool that does it in a few seconds :y
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you can wind the pistons back without one too ::)
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I do find the cryptic responses funny, saying you can do things without Software. But not actually saying how!
90% of the guides state VCDS or vag com for these jobs, given the purchase cost of the car, a copy of VCDS is nothing really and means not having to bodge.
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VCDS is capable of coding all sorts of things in the vehicle ECUs (such as whether to unlock all the doors or just drivers door for example) but you will keep coming across advice to get a decent manual to tell you what those codes are.
It will come as no surprise to learn that Haynes doesn't give you that information...........
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VCDS from a reputable supplier is what you need. So many fakes that, like the fake op com, don't quite work - and like oops com constantly cocking up Alarm ECUs, fake VCDS tend to cock up dashboards.
That means direct fro Ross-Tech, or a true, authorised reseller.
When it goes back to VW, it does show that a device has been plugged in, and if you've done any config changes, its likely they'll get reset (in my experience of Audis, suspect VW will be similar).
I'd spend the little bit extra and get the most capable leads available, as its a tool you'll keep for ages, long after the novelty of the buggerised Passat wears off.