How to learn car diagnostics with and without obd?

Posted by National-Ad-9305@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 4 comments

I have some technical background, I do understand what is CAN, UDS, and how these work. But wanted to dig deeper and use this knowledge in real applications. What is the best way to gain some experience and learn (online or book) how things woks? Focusing on VAG and electric vehicles,

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HeavyDutyForks@reddit

For VAG products, you want to get VCDS. Their forums are filled with a wealth of information and the guys over there are extremely helpful. Learn what each sensor does, why it does it, how it does it, and how the PCM uses the data from each one The VCDS website goes through some of the test procedures available and different measuring blocks. But, honestly you can't really beat hands on experience

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National-Ad-9305@reddit (OP)

Is VCDS better than Obdeleven with ultimate licence? What are the main differencies?

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HeavyDutyForks@reddit

VCDS is a lot more advanced and allows you to do a lot more than OBDeleven. OBDeleven is probably more user friendly and also you can use your phone instead having to use a laptop

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ShaqMcOck@reddit

CANbus gives you a really good insight into technical details of the car. It will tell you that something is working, or something is wrong, but it can't never really pinpoint exact problems. It will say "ABS Fault right wheel" Then you put your "mechanical diagnostics skill" to work, check the sensor, the connector, the ring, the abs unit. It is often a good thing to know a bit about CANbus and how to diagnose with it, but you need to use both digital diagnostics and mechanical. For electric vehicles, there is very much to take in from the electric system and all its readings. I am not educated enough on that. HOWEVER! Please be careful when you work with them, they have "high voltage" systems and you can seriously hurt yourself if you do not take precautions.