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> Subject: [gti-vr6] Reading DTC's
> From: Steve Sutton <ssutton@ridgecrest.ca.us>
> Date: Sat, 30 May 1998 22:11:59 -0700
>
> Just wondering if it is possible on ODB- II equipped vehicles (a '98 Jetta)
> to read the trouble codes, and reset them, easily? I am used to having to
> jumper the diagnostic connector and read the trouble code by the number of
> flashes of the check-engine light (on American iron), but don't know if it's
> possible on the Jetta (Bentley & VW have no '98 service manuals available yet
> for me to check).
Sorry, but there's no way to do that on the OBDII (1996 and up) VW's.
> If not, are there any *affordable* diagnostic tools that are available to do
> this? I assume the VW tool (a VAG?) is expensive & probably not available to
> the general public.
You can probably buy one, (VAG 1551 or 1552), but I'm sure it's much
more expensive than the Carcomp stuff.
> The software products (VWTool & OBDTool) from Carcomp
> (www.carcomp.co) looks interesting...has anyone used them?
<shameless plug>
Yes. I have them both. They are excellent. Better than the VAG tools,
the only drawback is you need a computer... It helps if this is a
laptop, but it doesn't absolutely have to be. I know of one
independent VW shop that sold their VAG-1552 and now uses Carcomp's
products exclusively.
OBDTool is a generic program that will talk to lots of different makes
of cars, but it will only talk to the engine controller, and it will not
show you *all* the codes -- just the OBD-II government mandated
emissions related stuff. Some DTC's such as the famous "engine
overspeed" tell-tale do not show up on and cannot be cleared using
OBDTool, but it will deal with anything having to do with the "check
engine" light.
VWTool will only talk to VWs (and Audis), but it gets you full access to
all of the intelligent controllers in the car; all possible ECU DTC's
(including some that aren't documented by VW!); also the ABS/EDL
controller, the Airbag controller, the tranny controller (if you have a
slushbox), even the radio (on the latest batch of 1998's), plus lots
more stuff on Audis.
You can get VWTool for a little less than list price if you don't need
the adapter for the early (pre 1994?) cars.
Or you can buy ODBTool and upgrade to VWTool later....
Or you can get a package deal on both (this makes sense if you also own
or want to work on other brands of OBD-II equipped cars)
One more thing: John Grable (Carcomp's owner) owns and drives a Corrado
SLC and is an all-around nice guy.
</shameless plug>
-Uwe-
PS: I have no connection with Carcomp other than as a satisfied
customer.
PPS: For the newbies on the list: http://www.carcomp.com/
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