Xtool VAG401 – VCDS VAGCOM alternative for VAG diagnostics

OBDII Fault Code Scanners - became more and more improtant in Vehicle field

But where can i find a beeter one for my car?

VAG401 for VW/AUDI/SEAT/SKODA Professional tool

Car Owner VCDS VAGCOM (clone) cable would not work recently and I could not find a place to buy a new cheap one. Anyway, I love VCDS, but I wanted a computer independent scan tool that would not require me to drag out my laptop. Then I bought an Xtool VAG401 scanner, an original plug and play device.

Xtool did it for me. I bought it to see if by chance it read dsg temps. Indeed, it does! It also allows you to prime your fuel filter on MKV+ engines. I also use it to:

1) Scan VW specific codes along with OBD codes
2) Show specific measuring blocks including DSG Temperature
3) Activate the fuel pump

The scan result:

DSG temp no problem
fuel filter prime no problem
Measuring blocks for RCV no problem
Cycling climatronoc actuators no problem

The VAG401 scan tool uses the same codes as VCDS or the factory tools use, common for the whole family of Audi, VW, Skoda, and SEAT. You need to make sure to use the particular procedure for your car year and model. Even with VCDS you need this info. There are also some Youtube videos on a whole lot of procedures using VCDS, and the VAG401 follows the same basic procedures, although the screens look different. I would read the VCDS manual on the Ross-Tech website, and it will give you a lot of information on how VCDS or the VAG401 can be used. But even the VCDS manual doesn’t give you particular car procedures. For those, you can check the Rpss-Tech wiki, do a search in these forums, Youtube, or use a shop manual. I use all of them when tackling a job I haven’t done before.

I have been using it for about 8000 miles on my car. Support and updates are marginal. For about 100 bucks including shipping, I think it is a great thing to throw in your tool box when you do not want to break out your laptop.

Please give credit to the original author when you use it elsewhere. 

Original Source: http://blog.wobd2.com/2016/03/12/xtool-vag401-vcds-vagcom-alternative-for-vag-diagnostics/