So what is $60 Xtool VAG401 tool? It is a copy/knockoff of VAS 5051 VW/Audi dealer tool which costs thousands of dollars. So far it appears to be fully functional equivalent with some "quick pick" common functions available from main menu without a need to dive deep into modules.
But what can it do?:
- Read fault codes (actual accurate VAG codes not generic OBD2 P codes!)
- Reset them
- Access ALL modules, engine, ABs, airags, level control, alarm system, you name it, it has it
- Recode modules
- Access measuring blocks. Ever wondered if that front door micro switch works or if you have large fuel trims in ECU? This is where you got to see.
- Perform output tests of modules, for example actuate injectors, open close doors, whatever module allows you to do
- Perform basic settings like forcing throttle plate alignment procedure, calibrating steering wheel sensor, perform Xenon range headlight adjustment, etc.
- More stuff, whatever workshop manual or www.ross-tech.com lists as doable, you can do it.
The problem though is that, like dealer tool, you really need actual procedures from shop manuals to know what to do and this is where ross-tech.com come to the rescue with all the back engineering and leg work they did to put it into their software. What I will show is to how use VCDS software (from www.ross-tech.com) to navigate VAG401 menus and use the tool to its full potential.
1) open the link on top of page to learn how to update the tool to newest software (it is updated very often)
2) get VCDS software from www.ross-tech.com and install it.
3) navigate to "c:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\Labels\" (or whatever folder you chose for this program)
4) fire up VAG401 and log in to whatever module you want to access in the car, make note of part# displayed on first screen after connection
5) search "c:\Ross-Tech\VCDS\Labels\" with your preferred search tool or simply hit F3 if in Windows Explorer, you might have to follow this to allow search of content of files which is what we need: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Windows-...-File-Contents . Search for your part number but split it in this patter: xxx-xxx-xxx-x . So if you had 8D0907551M, you'd use 8D0-907-551-M in search.
6) you will get a result to some file, the part I used above points to 8D-01.lbl, when you list it (designate Notepad to do so when you double click and get the pop-up window) and look for part number again, you will find: REDIRECT,078-907-551-AZA.LBL,8D0-907-551-M ; APB (8D)
7) open 078-907-551-AZA.LBL file, this is your sought after mapping to what the module can do! If you look at the file, majority of it is for measuring blocks and groups start with three digit number. 000-256 but they rarely go that high.
If you're looking for any specific procedures, consult workshop manual (but not many have access to that) or simply browse ross-tech.com (they have tons of info once you make the effort to find it) or simply google with proper terms. Info is out there and you can find it!
Hypothetical example#1:
I was asked how to see readiness for purposes of inspection.
1) open Engine ECU in VAG401
2) browse to 08 - Measuring Blocks
3) open your label file and scan through it or simply search for "readiness", you will find it in VAG Block 100
100,0,Readiness Code
100,1,Readiness Bits
; 1xxxxxxx - Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)
; x1xxxxxx - Sensor Heater
; xx1xxxxx - Oxygen Sensors
; xxx1xxxx - A/C System
; xxxx1xxx - Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System
; xxxxx1xx - Activated Charcoal System
; xxxxxx1x - Catalytic Converter Heater
; xxxxxxx1 - Catalytic Converter
100,2,Coolant,Temperature (G62),Specification: 80.0...110.0 °C
100,3,Time since,Engine Start
100,4,OBD-Status
; 1xxx--xx - MIL Warning Lamp ON
; x1xx--xx - Driving Cycle detected
; xx1x--xx - Trip complete
; xxx1--xx - Malfunction detected (1+)
; xxxx--1x - Heating cycle ended
; xxxx--x1 - Heating cycle not possible
4) VAG401, enter "100"
5) you will see the information on OBD2 readiness
On screen, you will see top row listing some 0s and 1s and bottom doing the same, rest is pretty self explanatory. On this screen, "1" means NOT SET. "0" means passed/completed/enabled. Normally you should see top row as "00000000" if all components passed checks and bottom one "00000001" if everything jives. Why last shouldn't be zero? This bit is an indicator for forcibly disabled catalyst heating, if it is disabled, it switches to "0", if not, it stays "1". It should be "1".
Example #2:
I want to bleed my ABS/ESP pump (you can find easy to follow instructions on ross-tech.com for this but let's do it the hard way!)
1) find you part#/label file
2) find "bleed" in file
3) you'll see this:
B002,0,Brake System Bleeding
B002,1,Status, ,
B002,2, , ,
B002,3, , ,
B002,4, , ,
4) Bleeding is in "Basic Seetings" (thus the number is prefixed with "B"), in block 002.
5) Fire up VAg401, ABS, Log in (find log in code on ross-tech.com or in workshop manual, C5 ABS takes "40168" code though!), block 002
6) press ENTER and the pump will bleed
7) Repeat as many times as needed.
I hope this is helpful.
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Originally Posted by Brandon002
). I hope the method of finding what's available using VCDS label files serves somebody a purpose since it definitely helps me a lot when I need to access stuff!
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