What will VCDS/VAGCOM Give me on a 7A?

[Bowie69]

As above, I keep reading conflicting things on VAGCOM/VCDS as to what its capability is for a 1991 7A engined coupe.

some say it's just codes, in which case I may as well use my LED tool I made years ago, others say it can read and log real-time data?

Anyone any experience with a 7A and OBD?

Cheers,

Pete.

[S2central.net]

Codes if you are lucky… I have hazy memories of getting some 7A ECUs to talk to VAGCOM, but don't believe it offers anything else meaningful… You can wire up the MIL lamp to the dashboard if you have the energy - seem to recall the 7A needed a jumper to start the process of blinking out codes !

[Bowie69]

Wow that was quick!

Thanks, that kinda confirms I really shouldn't bother with it

And yes, a jumper or a small hidden push to make switch will start the code reading process off

Will take a look at the MIL lamp install, can't be too bad

Many thanks!

Pete.

[S2central.net]

You could try with the freebie VCDS Lite and a borrowed 2x2 cable - seem to recall some 7A ECU variants will talk… some won't.

[spink]

these work well on 7a's whereas vagcom wouldn't in my experience

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/U281-VW-Au...item337711c3ea

engine fault codes only though

you will need a 2x2 cable aswell but they are dirt cheap

[S2central.net]

Fine advice that actually - mighty bargain too at that price !

[Bowie69]

At that price, yes I will get one and report back

I already have a 2x2 cable which I tried with VCDS Lite and had no luck, so was really asking whether it was worth all the bother

Cheers chaps, well worth asking that question!

Pete.

[Error404]

If its an early 7A with two plug ECU then the blink codes / code reader are your only option. The MIL circuit doesn't work and VCDS doesn't support it.

On mine I wired up a lamp in the cluster to an unused symbol, through a toggle switch and a press switch so I could read the codes really easily without crawling under the dash and into the rats nest.

[Bowie69]

It's an 04/91 manufacture date, so about as late as a 7A comes, in fact it even has the later shape doors/window regulators in it, (I found out to my cost....) and has the three connectors under the dash.

I'll probably leave the 2x2 lead permanently connected and fix the resulting socket with a couple of screws so I can plug the above tool in easily from under the dash, it will at least have it easily accessible compared to having to drop the parcel shelf each time! Being a later one does that mean there may be more options?

Funnily enough, when I dropped the parcel shelf this time, I found my old test light still plugged in! (LED + resistor etc). I touched it and immediately a leg fell off the LED *smack*

Cheers,

Pete.

[S2central.net]

If you have the three plug version then wire up the blue MIL lamp as Error describes and the other two plugs (black and white/brown) to the OBD adapter for the code reader and you should have the best of both worlds.

[Bowie69]

Well the code reader arrived this morning, got a chance to play in the dark this evening, all working good, pulled 6 codes, (injector faults, engine speed sensor idle too high/malfunction) Both of which I can attribute to me mixing up the two crank sensor wires, and forgetting to modify the wiring for the high impedance replacement injectors I fitted.... oops

Good news though everything else seems hunky dory, and the code reader worked a charm

On the 2x2 adapter I have, the plastic on the plugs is rather soft so was able unwittingly to push the plugs in the wrong way round very easily.... oh and as I was doing it in the dark I managed to connect to the blue connector and the screen started flashing out the codes, which made me laugh.

So... if you are going to do this I recommend you do it in the light


Thanks everyone, maybe I will get around to the MIL lamp when I inevitably have the dash out