Software for Car Computers

Trampas

Is it possible to get the software to connect your laptop up to the computer on your car to see what the problem is when a light comes on.

The engine warning light came on the car and I don't want to go up to the garage and pay atleast €50 to get it check.

Its a Seat Ibiza 03

colm_mcm

maybe with the 50 quid, the garage will identify and fix the problem? I doubt 50 quid will buy you enough diagnostic equipment and know-how to cure it yourself.

seamus

It's expensive stuff and is really only issued to dealers. I also suspect that the cable is proprietary and super expensive too...

Max_Damage

I miss the good ol' days when cars didn't have all of this computer shíte packed into them.

fletch

You need to buy VAG-COM. Then I'm sure somebody over on seatcupra.net will be able to tell you how to fix the problem. But AFAIK it's quite expensive and you'll need a laptop.

Owen

Max_Damage wrote:

I miss the good ol' days when cars didn't have all of this computer shíte packed into them.

You preferred when Cars didn't have 8 Airbags, ABS, Traction Control, etc?

Max_Damage

ned78 wrote:

You preferred when Cars didn't have 8 Airbags, ABS, Traction Control, etc?

Well, I drive a car that has none of that, and to be honest, it doesn't really bother me.

Gurgle

The real feckers are cars from the mid to late 90s with a chip for everything but no central CPU keeping an eye on them all. When something goes wrong, theres no way to track it down.

@OP, answer is no, not without buying some very expensive hardware

Owen

Max_Damage wrote:

Well, I drive a car that has none of that, and to be honest, it doesn't really bother me.

Everyone says that until they have a smash.

Max_Damage

ned78 wrote:

Everyone says that until they have a smash.

True.

SouperComputer

You can do some troubleshooting for little money (from 30-160). Your car is, (most cars made since 1996 are) OBD II complient which is a standardised form of diagnostics and monitoring. All you need is a cable, box, and software. You wont be able to do a lot of teh stuff that a VAG dealer has, but you can pull codes, clear codes and basically get information and see if an unscupulous dealer/mechanic is trying it on

There is free software available here that you can use to pull the codes and research online. VAG-COM has a trial version you could use too. These cables are traded on ebay cheap enough, just search for VAG-COM or OBD II.

I bought a cable for my Passat and Iibza when I was in ireland for about 30e and used the free software. Over here, I bought this which has already gotten me out of jail a couple of times.