Basics

[numenius]

So, for someone coming from being able to do all my own work from brake pads to whole new engines/gearbox fitting, diagnostics is entirely new. (I also drive a landrover defender - but you can fix them with a screwdriver, an adjustable spanner and a hammer! ) I've got (and read) Hilliers Auto Electronics for example, but before I buy VCDS, is there an idiots guide or introduction to the whole thing? I understand that it will allow me to code new parts, but cannot find anywhere (even on Ross-Techs site info) as to hOw you actually go about a thing or what such a code is? Presumably somewhere all this stuff is explained? Scouring the net I can find "what a fault scanner does" (well, doh!) and advanced stuff with loads of cryptic initials about my ECU talking to my radio (why?) and aBS etc etc, but it's the sort of inbetween knowledge I'm looking for. Can anyone suggest a good book or site? Thanks.

[Sam]

The easiest thing you can do is plug it in to the car's OBD port (under the dash, near your knees usually), fire up the Quat...er VCDS and run an auto-scan.

I assume you're buying it for a reason, you want to recode something or check something, so the first thing you'd do is find out what or where the module you want to change is.

First you find what platform you have and select it here > Ross-Tech: VCDS: Diagnostic Procedures

Then, once you're in you'll see a long list of functions.

Each one starts with something like 01-Engine If you go the online demo (more on that in a bit) you can see that you can access the Engine by going into Select Control Module > 01-Engine and away you go.

Before the cable arrives, go to Ross-Tech's site and play with the manual/tour

Ross-Tech: VCDS Tour

Obviously your car isn't connected but the interface functions as it would in your car.

The best way to learn is by messing around and reading posts in the model specific section - we're starting to compile basics VCDS options and putting them all into stickied threads to make things like this easier.

[bearthebruce]

So, for someone coming from being able to do all my own work from brake pads to whole new engines/gearbox fitting, diagnostics is entirely new. (I also drive a landrover defender - but you can fix them with a screwdriver, an adjustable spanner and a hammer! ) I've got (and read) Hilliers Auto Electronics for example, but before I buy VCDS, is there an idiots guide or introduction to the whole thing? I understand that it will allow me to code new parts, but cannot find anywhere (even on Ross-Techs site info) as to hOw you actually go about a thing or what such a code is? Presumably somewhere all this stuff is explained? Scouring the net I can find "what a fault scanner does" (well, doh!) and advanced stuff with loads of cryptic initials about my ECU talking to my radio (why?) and aBS etc etc, but it's the sort of inbetween knowledge I'm looking for. Can anyone suggest a good book or site? Thanks.

Really? Not anywhere? How about a video in the Ross-Tech Wiki?

Bosch 5.3 and 5.7 ABS with ESP, Coding


Coding the Bosch 5.3 and 5.7 ABS Modules - YouTube

Or how about the online interactive Manual?
http://www.ross-tech.com/vcds/tour/recode_screen.html