Do you need VAGCOM to read Fault codes??

[cagiti]

Hi,

This may be a stupid question, but do we really need VAGCOM to read the cars fault codes? I have seen other cars being able to access the fault code section by a sequence of button pressing while the car is off, is this possible with the 8L S3's?

Just wondering as I have the dreaded ESP and ABS lights appearing and disappearing!!!

Thank you in advance.

 

[s3dave]

You dont need vag com or VCDS as it is known now to read codes any generic fault code reader will do, but VCDS is a valuable tool for the audi owner and does a lot more than read and erase codes,like logging and going into airbag/haldex modules etc.

 

[cagiti]

Whats the best way to get hold of VAGCOM, please excuse my naivety as I have read so many threads on VAGCOM and don't seem to be able to get a clear and concise pricing list of what I need and what I don't.

What's the cheapest VAGCOM or fault code reader to get me up and running? Cheers again.

 

[s3dave]

I think the cheapest way is an ebay cable then by the lisence from rosstech (around £65) Ross-Tech: Home
There is also a guy who sells it on here "NHN" with genuine lead and good aftersales help + £230? ish

 

[cagiti]

Cheers dave

 

[HerefordQuattro]

or if you're a real cheapskate like me you can buy an ebay cable for £7.99 and use VCDS lite for very basic fault code hunting until you can afford the real thing

 

[Syvo]

my m8,s got a mac tools fault code reader its quiet basic but does the job

 

[Nilz]

As above really cheap cable from Ebay, or genuine from Nigel (NHN), you can have full access to everything with the real deal.