What is VAGCOM (and do I need it)...

[cobraman2007]

Hi all.

Just another quick question (presale) before I put my money in my pocket for a CupraR.

I know the car's central nervous system is an ECU which I assume is a computer which older cars (such as my dad's Vauxhall Cavalier/Honda Civic and my Mazda MX5 ) doesn't have. Is this something I have to worry about failing as this is new territory to me.

Also, I am assuming if the ECU fails something call VAGCOM (sounds like some cream the Mrs uses downstairs ) needs to be brought to find the problem and solve it. Does this mean I should also buy VAGCOM as soon as I buy the car and does VAGCOM somehow solve the problem. For example, does VAGCOM just confirm where the problem lies and I need a garage to fix it or does VAGCOM solve the problem fullstop?

Sorry for what may seem a silly question but like I said, I have never had an ECU on any of the cars I have driven in the past.

Cheers - Cobraman2007

 

[DPJ]

 

[Lee M]

Hi Mate,

It is a dignostics software system for the car (similar to what a main dealer will use). It connects via a PC/Laptop into the On Board Diagnostics Port (OBD) of the car.

I don't think it can 'fix' the problems with the cars but will allow you to determine the fault before persuning a means of repair. It can do many other this too such as logging different data sich as air flows lambda values etc.......

Not essential (especially if its still under warranty) but would save you some cash if you needed the car checked out. My local SEAT dealer charge £90 to put the car on the diagnostics!!!

There is a dedicated Vagcom section on this site too.


Cheers

Lee

 

[ChrisUK]

lol

It will basically tell you any fault codes that your car is logging.

You don't need it, but it's nice to have if your car isnt running right, as you can plug it in, see whats up & tell the garage exactly how to fix it !!

There are also a few similar type fault boxes on Ebay which do pretty much the same thing, but with VAGCOM, you can actually "tweak" certain settings on the ECU if thats your style

 

[RobM]

Further to what Lee says, which is totally correct in it's function, I would go as far as saying it is an essential piece of kit for any turbo-VAG owner.

There are so many sensors that can fail and give odd readings and even cause the car to go into limp mode, that it can get very expensive and very worrying taking the car to a dealer each time something doesn't feel right, or when the CEL is on. With VAG-COM it's a 2 minute job to find out exactly what's wrong. That, combined with this forum and the VAG-COM forum section here, could save you a lot of time and money.

On top of that, it has the ability to enable and disable some restricted features and options that you might like - such as changing how the remote locking reacts and what sound, if any, the car makes when locked. Silly little things that help the car behave the way you want it to

 

[cobraman2007]

Thanks guys - and sorry about not noticing the VAGCOM section on this forum. Must have slipped from my eyesight.

Okay. This brings me onto my next question. As I haven't a clue about mechanicals (I don't know what a Lamba is for a start) does this mean I cannot own a LCR or are these things I shouldn't be worried about.

Also, if it is recommended that I should get a VAGCOM, does this mean the car picks up faults quite regularly and need solving? This sounds a little scary.

Disclaimer: I will still get a LCR regardless of faults encountered because I love it.

 

[ChrisUK]

Best thing is to have a look through the Leon MK1 section, get to know the car.

Then once you have a few questions, use the search at the top of the page.

If your still stuck, then ask in the forums & someone will know doubt help you

Good Luck !!

 

[RobM]

Thanks guys - and sorry about not noticing the VAGCOM section on this forum. Must have slipped from my eyesight.

Okay. This brings me onto my next question. As I haven't a clue about mechanicals (I don't know what a Lamba is for a start) does this mean I cannot own a LCR or are these things I shouldn't be worried about.

Also, if it is recommended that I should get a VAGCOM, does this mean the car picks up faults quite regularly and need solving? This sounds a little scary.

Disclaimer: I will still get a LCR regardless of faults encountered because I love it.

Don't panic!

The car is very reliable, don't worry about that. But there are certain things that are known to fail early and the majority of the time it's something electrical. This is where VAG-COM comes in handy.

You don't need to understand what it's telling you, you just need to get access to the information and then search on this forum for what it means. 99% of the time it's been discussed already and a solution will be posted on this forum. All you then need to do is get the parts and fit them - and I'm pretty sure the fitting guide will be on this forum already too

I've had my car for nearly 6 months now and have only had a problem with the MAF sensor. But I still wouldn't want to be without VAG-COM.

 

[mattpark]

Picked up my LCR last Friday, ordered my VAG COM stuff on Saturday morning.

Mainly bought it because i'm very pedantic and NEED to have every little thing just as it should be (probably verging on some kind of psychological disorder).

I think any true car boffin would happily spend the cash on something like VAG COM.

Fork out for the real thing, not en egay special too.

Matt

 

[cupra jay]

where you get them from and how much, youve got me interested lol

 

[mattpark]

Not cheap really, i paid about £195 for the cable with software licensing built in.

www.ross-tech.com

I bought this - VAG-COM License with HEX-USB+CAN Interface

 

[RobM]

I paid £65ish all in for my setup

The cable is available on eBay. It's not a genuine one, but it works perfectly. Seller ID is alphabid or something. Details are in the VAG-COM forum.

Then I purchased the software activation / licence for $99 from RossTech which works our at around £50-55 at the current exchange rate.

Works perfectly, saved me money, so I was happy

 

[mattpark]

I'm still in the post natal phase of owning my Cupra and didn't want to feed it anything less than breast.

 

[RobM]

Similar situation to me when I bought it... but I wanted my money to stretch further to buy more mods