diagnostics Ibiza 1400cc multipoint injection?

[hoggy1957]

As mentioned firstly a hello is in order ....

I'm posting really for my son's benefit (I don't actually own a Seat Ibiza) apparently my son reckons I'm too old to own one, I own a Mercedes 203 ... or as my son reckons, a right old farts car, we can agree to disagree.

Basically he has an intermittent problem that is indicated by his engine management light on his dash display apparently!

So I have read up a bit on diagnostics threads and there are references to VAG-COM ... so out of curiosity I looked up diagnostic code readers on ebay and there appears that there are code reader that are available for the Seat Ibiza Mk3 2002 ... apparently my lads car will need to have the ""Port: 16-pin OBDII Standard Socket"" ... if this makes any sense?

His car is a Seat Ibiza 2002 year model
1400cc multipoint injection


My question is this, would the tester available on ebay do the job? ... namely decipher the code and help us find out the problem on his car

I posted the ebay item number purely to display the code reader in question .... Item number: 370061649089

Any help would be much appreciated indeed, if only to get him off by back! .... I've made sure I emphasised to him that I've never had a fault code displayed on my Merc and never will

p.s. forgot to ask ... where would the diagnostics plug be located ... ta

 

[Reuvers]

Hi
I can't really help you too much with this, however I do know that the diagnostics readers are in the hands of more people here on this site. The cheaper ones (mainly from Ebay) usually only show the code, which you can look up on the VAG com site, or place it here in the VAG com section and people will help you,. So yes, this is a good way of finding, and later solving problems. However, these kits cannot be used to solve problems directly, or alter computer management. But it will point you in the right direction.

The only thing I was wondering (and I might be completely wrong here so wait for confirmation) is that I am not sure that the 1.4 also use VAG com software....(don't take that for granted though!)

Anyway, good luck with the progress and there is plenty of people here who use this on a daily basis so can tell you more.
You could also post in the VAG com section and see if anyone close by you has vag com to check the biza....

 

[jonesya3]

Hi
I can't really help you too much with this, however I do know that the diagnostics readers are in the hands of more people here on this site. The cheaper ones (mainly from Ebay) usually only show the code, which you can look up on the VAG com site, or place it here in the VAG com section and people will help you,. So yes, this is a good way of finding, and later solving problems. However, these kits cannot be used to solve problems directly, or alter computer management. But it will point you in the right direction.

The only thing I was wondering (and I might be completely wrong here so wait for confirmation) is that I am not sure that the 1.4 also use VAG com software....(don't take that for granted though!)

Anyway, good luck with the progress and there is plenty of people here who use this on a daily basis so can tell you more.
You could also post in the VAG com section and see if anyone close by you has vag com to check the biza....

yes the 1.4 uses the same software as the cupra dont think it makes a difference what engine size it is to be honest

 

[pj1985]

Dont know how much that fault reader is but if you have a laptop then buying a vag com cable and downloading vag com would be much better than getting the fault reader.

 

[BeartheBruce]

VCDS (VAG-COM Diagnositc System) is software and hardware that turns your Windows/Vista based PC into a dealer level factory tool for the price of a generic OBDII scanner. VCDS does far more than read codes. With VCDS you can view, log and grpah live data, code modules, perform basic settings and adaptations, and perform output tests supported by the modules in the car. The product is developed and supported in the US by Ross-Tech, LLC and is sold world wide. It is compatible and supports VAG cars (including SEAT and Skoda) from about 1990 to the current model year. For more information, visit www.Ross-Tech.com.

 

[hoggy1957]

Many thanks for the advise, its cleared up some self administered confusion. By all accounts the best option is the VAG-com too laptop route, so that's what I will do.

I don't think I've made it easy asking for help and giving little information with regards to specific vehicle information ... I'm going to look into exactly just what model this car is and that way I will get a better understanding as too what I can expect from the diagnostic (VAG-com .. soft ware etc)

As I understand and bear in mind I'm far from a computer expert, I get the correct lead, and download software to suit the vehicle model ...

I'm not sure as to where the port connector actually is on this vehicle, the connector that will accept the lead, is it under the dashboard or there about? ... anyhow I thank you for helping me out, I will keep looking in and picking up advise .... "good site this", better than the Mercedes sites I've been on when I have tried to pick up info with regards to my own car.

 

[James_R]

Hi there pal, FIRSTLY sorry to the rest of SCN i'm not a fan of VAG-COM to be honest. dependent on what you wanna spend on your diag equipment is how good you'll get. it can range from hundereds to thousands literally.
If your ibiza is one of the last 99-02 shape it will be in the under dash storage compartment on the drivers side, fold the hinges in and pull it down and it'll be towards the centre of the dash.
If its 02+ it'll be in the little under dash compartment towards the drivers side A pillar - just pull it down hard and the socket is behind it.
type this on ebay in the search box 290238217247 is an AUTEL MAX-SCAN and its a stand alone fault code reader. i have one and they are unbelieveably simple to use and work on all systems of the car but not only do they work on your lads seat but they work on all VAG cars.
you can use it to find, rectify and erase the fault.
hope that helps

 

[BeartheBruce]

Hi there pal, FIRSTLY sorry to the rest of SCN i'm not a fan of VAG-COM to be honest. dependent on what you wanna spend on your diag equipment is how good you'll get. it can range from hundereds to thousands literally. .......

type this on ebay in the search box 290238217247 is an AUTEL MAX-SCAN and its a stand alone fault code reader. i have one and they are unbelieveably simple to use and work on all systems of the car but not only do they work on your lads seat but they work on all VAG cars.
you can use it to find, rectify and erase the fault.
hope that helps

You do realize that the unit you showed on ebay by Autel only processes OBDII and EOBD functions? VAG-COM deals with the VAG specific codes that will not be reported by this device. My point: this thread was started by someone who wanted to know the details about products that would let him read codes. The Autel unit will not give access to all systems and it will not allow one to see all codes. VAG-COM will.

 

[James_R]

it supports obd and obd11 yes but it also supports nearly ALL the vehicle specific systems such as: AIRBAGS, ABS, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION etc
its nearly as good as a 1551 (i know, i have one of both). it gives the specific fault description and the code and it'll do anything to recent date.
you can read and erase the faults and check some live data.
they are a really good, cheap piece of gear

 

[BeartheBruce]

Really cheap? $249 USD? Hmmm.... seems to be priced like VAG-COM. But, it can't do data logging, can only view a couple live data blocks at a time, doesn't say how many fault codes it supports, doesn't say it does basic settings, adaptations, bi-directional control, and a whole host of other things that can be done with VAG-COM.

Probably is compatible with the VAG-1552. VAG-COM went beyond the VAG-1552 years ago. I suppose if you limit your decisions to the 4 year old shareware product, then you might have a legitimate comparison. But VCDS (the new name for VAG-COM) 805 is way beyond this product.

Thanks for making me look again at the entire page on eBay. Buried in all the details was what the VAG version really does. I can see a place for this tool but please be sure to tell all the real differences between products. VCDS 805 and this product are not in the same class. VCDS using a KEY interface from Ross-Tech is comparable in price but delivers a bunch more.

 

[James_R]

The man only wants a diag machine that will plug into his car, read the fault and knock off the light (which if you look enough on ebay you can get them for about 110quid) not something as technologicly advanced as VAG-COM. If hes a total novice who can plug a machine in and read the screen then rectify it himself or go to a garage armed with the knowledge of his problem then he can instruct them to fix it and turn the light off him self.
I dare say that if he can access live data he might not understand it anyway (that is in no way an insult to your intelligence im just making that particular point).
the problem might just be very simple and easyly solved.
And by a 1551 i meant a dealer 1551.
I DID NOT MEAN TO CAUSE ANY CONFUSION OR PUT DOWN ANYONES PRODUCTS.

 

[James_R]

370061879799 - this ones identical to mine and only 80quid with postage.

 

[T31LUK]

hey people i was wondering if the mk3 has a fault code socket?
as i was speaking to a guy that works for the AA and he said he didnt think they had 1 on my car
and wher would it be i have found a socket above the fuse box but not sure if that is the right 1

 

[James_R]

most if not all ibizas built around 97-98 and after (both mk2 and mk3) should have a 16 pin diag socket (earlier had a 2 plug connector). The 16 pin is located behind the fuse box cover under the steering column and on the mk4 its located behind the storage box on the drivers side under the steering column. Not taring all of them with the same brush but some AA staff mebers ar'nt the best on technical knowledge.