OBD2 scanner for 1995 Audi

[KadettE]

I'm trying to read the error codes in my 1995 A8 but my Veepeak bluetooth connector and the Carscanner app can't get a connection. Does anyone know a generic scanner that might work or do I need a VAG-specific cable/software for that generation of car?

[andrewcliffe]

VCDS nee Vagcom should work and give you lots of things to check and monitor.

[KadettE]

"should work" doesn't exactly inspire to go and spend £200+ on a cable (plus I'll need to organise a windows laptop).

[andrewcliffe]

Having looked up you may need one of the "plus" or "power" packages which includes an extra cable.

I have one for my 2003 RS6 and its invaluable as it does a lot more than just fault codes. The cost has paid for itself over and over again.

Edited by andrewcliffe on Friday 24th July 15:15

[Adrian E]

Depends where you're located, but usually fairly straightforward to find someone locally with VCDS to at least confirm it can communicate with the car. I have the old HEX+CAN which had no trouble with my '02 S8 and many other VW group cars of that era. Still works great on my 2015 Golf GTI, but it won't work with a lot of stuff on newer architecture after about 2018.

[GVK]

For a 1995 car you don't need the expensive genuine VAGCOM/VCDS cable. Is it a 16pin standard OBD socket? Or a 2x2?

From Google "A 1995 Audi A8 requires a VAG-specific diagnostic tool like Ross-Tech VCDS, an older VAG-COM cable setup, or a dedicated VAG scanner like the Ancel VD500, because generic OBD-2 Bluetooth dongles and apps will not communicate with its pre-1996 protocols."

All you need is a k-line cable for about £20 online and down load free VCDS-Lite from Ross-Tech. If you find you need further fault code descriptions and measuring blocks you can purchase a licence from Ross Tech to 'unlock' VCDS lite. When I bought my licence years ago for this it was $99 usd.

https://www.ross-tech.com/vcds-lite/download/ free download for 'dumb' interfaces.

Said 'dumb' interface from Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/KKL-409-1-Volkswagen-Vehi...

Oh yeah, you'll need a Windows laptop too....

The only problem with the genuine VCDS is you're limited to using the tool on 3 different vin numbers, so can realistically only work on 3 different vehicles. I updated mine to 10 vins but have used it on 7 different vehicles so far, I believe I can further update to 'unlmited' for extra cost.

Edited by GVK on Thursday 30th July 17:59

[Landlubber]

Carista?

[GVK]

Landlubber said:

Carista?

https://carista.com/apps/supported-cars/audi/a8

Nope - If you look at the list they only start with the 2004 model?

Edited by GVK on Thursday 30th July 17:55

[KadettE]

I eventually managed to confirm the car communicates with the older software and then bought one of those USB to OBD cables and organised myself a windows laptop. Installed VCDS lite on the laptop and it seems to work with drivers that windows 11 has preinstalled. I needed to play around with the VCDS settings a bit to get it to successfully talk to the ECU, initially it only communicated with very few modules.

One problem I ran into was that after using VCDS some modules were left in an active state and didn't go back to sleep so the battery got drained overnight. I either didn't properly close the connection or maybe it was caused by the failed communication to some of the modules? Just something to be aware of.

So good news on that front, many thanks for the tip!

Unfortunately that now enabled me to trace the misfire I have and I'm currently chasing a 'Final Output Stage' amp that's supposed to be sitting between ECU and ignition coils but I can't find the bloody thing! To me it looks like the connection from the coil goes straight to the wiring harness which in turn goes into the ECU without any amp inbetween. That's strange because it's an older three-pin plug that shouldn't be controlled directly by the ECU I don't think?