I never heard of it but It probably does not apply to all situations. It depends on many factors. For example as if you spend 100GBP to prevent 10GBP problem or maybe you spend 10GBP but it create 1% difference in the end result of a problem which can cost 10GBP. Perhaps in such cases it is better to not try to prevent things unnecessarily

I'm just thinking ahead.

h34r:

 

As the old saying goes...Prevention is better than cure. :facepalm:

I never heard of it but It probably does not apply to all situations. It depends on many factors. For example as if you spend 100GBP to prevent 10GBP problem or maybe you spend 10GBP but it create 1% difference in the end result of a problem which can cost 10GBP. Perhaps in such cases it is better to not try to prevent things unnecessarily

 

KKL / Cheap VAG COM cables can be used with a full VCDS license if needed, bit of trickery involved. Buddy of mine has VCDS and uses KKL cables often out in the field because sometimes it isn't worth taking a £600 cable to run a diagnosis on an electrical gremlin filled car and risk damage.

I also use the cheap cables and KKL with various other software for working on clusters, modifying modules and so on on the MK4.

The aliexpress cables work with VCDS Lite also.

 

Just for code reading etc I used an ELM327 Bluetooth obdii reader and the Torque Pro app on android..

Less than a fiver for the reader and a quid or two for the pro version of the app.

Heard good things about obdeleven as well (never used that though)

93/93

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I'm just wanting something that will read engine fault codes really in case i have problems with it in the future. This is my first turbo diesel car and it would be good to be able to diagnose malfunctions and correct any faults before they become even bigger problems!!!

As the old saying goes...Prevention is better than cure. :facepalm:

 

Problems like what?
Have I suggested anyone buy from aliexpress (other sources are available)?
Have I provided a link?

Bet you're a riot at parties [emoji38]

93/93

 

@Evil, thats ok but you could just remove your suggestion before it cause any problems. It is NOT my opinion, it is a forum rule. So you are clearly saying the forum rules are not important to you. But anyway, you can have it your way. I won't argue.

 

Then let my post, and my userid, be moderated if necessary..
Honestly mate, your opinion, and this subject, isn't that important to me..

93/93

 

It's just information and not exactly a secret.. [emoji849]

93/93

It is not a trade secret but you are advertising information which can be used for defeating software licenses. So, you are still aiding counterfeiters. That is called aiding and abetting. I believe it is a criminal act. That is why in any forum, talking and giving advice about counterfeit products is forbidden because this can be an issue for the whole forum. You would not want this forum getting closed, would you....

See:

https://uk-mkivs.net/forum/41-vag-diagnostic-software-discussion/

Any posts relating to cracks or otherwise illegal versions of VAG-COM will be deleted and members involved moderated.

Do you get free updates with the chinese version(ali express)

No, I think they clearly tell in the product page at AliExpress that you must use the software (and maybe trojan virus) which comes with the CD and you can't upgrade. The real thing is not that expensive if you are using it on your car. You can just buy it from http://www.ross-tech.com/

Also for MK4 cars you don't really need updates I think. I have been using VCDS Lite and I don't think it is missing any functionality even though it was not updated since 2012 Does it miss any functionality which is in current VCDS versions? Does anybody know?

 

Do you get free updates with the chinese version(ali express)

No.. you need to get the version you need (12.12 works on the mk4 golf (and the b5.5 passat)) and not update it.

93/93

 

Do you get free updates with the chinese version(ali express)

 

It's just information and not exactly a secret.. [emoji849]

93/93

 

@Evil yes I have seen it but it is a hacked, illegal version. In some cases the software which comes in the CD is flagged by antivirus software as malware (this is one reason why I never use any software which come with cheap KKL cables). I don't think it is appropriate to suggest buying counterfeit products. For MK4, the VCDS Lite is cheap enough and can be purchased from http://www.ross-tech.com/ Even newer versions is not that expensive considering the savings you will make when you can diagnose problems.

 

You can get full vcds and cable from aliexpress for under £15..

KKL cable cost me under a tenner (don't remember where from)

93/93

 

For MK4 a cheap KKL cable should do. Usually people say ones with FTDI chips work good (but nowadays there are fake FTDI chips around also...) I had good results with cables with CH340 chips also. You can use VCDS-Lite in shareware mode with those 3rd party interfaces. It would be a great start considering the 3rd party cables cost peanuts. This solution works for reading things, but to program/change stuff you need to pay for VCDS-Lite or buy VCDS. I don't know all the drawbacks of shareware version. You can read from rosstech site. Some other applications also work with the cable... See: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/VAG-KKL/32925715923.html