Some diagnostic equipment advice please

[Arron Dave Priest]

Been a member of this site for only a week and I've learnt as much as I have on other forums in a year 😂😂😂😂
Like to say what a nice helpful bunch there seems to be here


Anyway that's the Arse kissing out the way 😁 Some advice please


we have a 2002 plate Mk2 .. 2.3    16v and a few niggly problems are now starting to pop and it's slowly getting a refurb.
So I was thinking about getting a diagnostic prog

Am I right in thinking I need Vagcom as VCDS won't work ?
Also could someone be so kind as to link me to a decent lead 😁 

Mucho thanks Az

[Arron Dave Priest]

Oh forgot to ask is this easy to use/pick up ? 
I'm no programmer but I know my way around 😁

[bestfc01]

 

I have the MK2 2.3 petrol. Unfortunately VCDS doesn't work with the non-VW engines.
It does however communicate with the majority of controllers like the HVAC (Climatron) Parking senors as there VW's controllers.

someone has managed to get this lead working.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171175298869

Im currently using a borrowed HEX+CAN lead with full VCDS.
VCDS is certainly simple to install, and there a guide in the Ref Lib on how to install.

[bestfc01]

Forgot to mention.

VCDS is formally VagCom. If you purchase certain cables they typically come with VagCom 409
Both VCDS Lite and VagCom have limited features, for example you cant save adaptations, limited to no measuring blocks.
Its about $99 for the full VCDS Lite software.

It mainly depends on your needs.

[Arron Dave Priest]

Thanks for the info. I wanted one as was curious about the engine side.
As it doesn't cover that it seems a tad pointless me getting one.
I'm a decent all round mechanic I just never dabbled with engines 😁

[bestfc01]

I would still suggest getting the VAGCOM for the sake of Ã,£10

If i had the VAGCOM cable at the time of getting my car regas i would have saved myself Ã,£50.

I have my only key fail due to the heat Saturday.
Again if i didn't have the VAGCOM cable i wouldn't of known where to look as i knew it was electrical not mechanical

If you happen to find a suitable ford cable for the engine could you supply a link.
I'm still trying to find a non-bluetooth one.

[bony6777]

I have 2.3 Y reg. Only cable which work on my Gal is elm 327 1.5v. From eBay for 5 pounds.Sorry I don't have a link.

Отправлено с моего LG-D855 через Tapatalk

[bestfc01]

I'm afraid the 2.0 and 2.3 MK2 galaxys are Ford engines.
The 2.8 V6 and 1.9 TDi MK2 galaxys are VW engines.

VCDS will not communicate with the ford engines, not even the full paid version.
VCDS will however communicate with most of the controllers within the Mk2 Galaxy such as HVAC (interior heating).

You would require an alternative cable and software to communicate with the ford engines.
Likewise to alter the dash on any of the Mk2 galaxys (and i believe sharan /alhambra) you will require a Vag-tacho cable and software. This is due to the EEPROM being stored in hex.

[Hej-Hej]

For communication with Ford controllers when i had my Mondeo MK3, i was very happy with the "FORScan" software, free of charge for windows and available on both iOS and Android very cheap. For windows use a cheap ELM327 usb cable from eBay will do and for use with my iPhone i got a "Vgate icar 2" running on wifi..