Vehicle Diagnostics
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
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Vehicle Diagnostics
I commute 80 miles a day, so my wife drives our van during the week. My commuter car is a VW Passat I got cheap. In fixing a few things, I discovered that for diagnostics, I could order a cable off ebay for $20 and download the free version of a very powerful diagnostic program made specifically for VWs, and get amazing data. I can even reset check engine lights. In the years I've owned my van, I don't believe I have seen anything like this for our vans. Am I missing a great resource, or does this not exist? I have a 2006 E-350 by the way.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
There are a few good options. Which platform do you use with your VW? PC/Mac? Android? iPhone?
Lots of us have had success with an ELM327-compatible Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the OBD port. Using the Forscan or Torque Pro app for your Android device allows the phone to interface with the van's PCM and do all sorts of things. You can view live data, see trouble codes, and even perform some system tests depending on software.
This is one of the better adapters out there, but there are cheaper ones as well:
I've had this one for a few years and it's outstanding. Before that I used a cheaper off-brand product I got for $20, but it wasn't nearly as reliable.
Lots of us have had success with an ELM327-compatible Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the OBD port. Using the Forscan or Torque Pro app for your Android device allows the phone to interface with the van's PCM and do all sorts of things. You can view live data, see trouble codes, and even perform some system tests depending on software.
This is one of the better adapters out there, but there are cheaper ones as well:
I've had this one for a few years and it's outstanding. Before that I used a cheaper off-brand product I got for $20, but it wasn't nearly as reliable.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 25
I use a windows laptop with the Ross Tech lite software. I do have an android phone, so I'm somewhat flexible. Will either program with that adapter be able read codes from the RSC system? Occasionally I have an alert there.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
The ForScan app, both the "Lite" version for Android, and the full version for PC will interface with the RSC system using the OBDLink MX. I'm not sure it will work with the cheaper units available, because I don't think they are capable of all the CANbus modes.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 25
Thanks Tom. Now to convince my wife it would be a big enough asset. With that adapter, I noticed with some vehicles it can be used as a remote start. I
am assuming that's a negative with our vans, but wanted to be sure.
am assuming that's a negative with our vans, but wanted to be sure.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
I have never successfully interfaced with the PCM without the key in the "on" position. It gives me a connection error after trying all supported protocols.
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,704
Likes: 2,625
From: SE Florida
For a car with factory remote start I expect there is another module that powers the PCM when it wants to do a remote start.
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