ODIS VW Group Diagnostic Tool

There are many independent garages and technicians who specialise in the repair and diagnosis of VW Group brand vehicles VW, AUDI, SEAT, SKODA .

These very popular brands have wide range and complex diagnosis, repair and maintenance needs which can be best met by technicians and garage who are are using the ODIS VW Group Diagnostic Tool.

The system is called ODIS. This system incorporates 6154 (for diag) and ELSA PRO (for information & research). ODIS is the same system that the VW Group Dealer uses, and therefore gives the independent tech and garage access to the same functions.

The ODIS VW Group Diagnostic Tool includes adding/coding keys, replacing ECUs and control units, performing software updates, accessing technical bulletins (TPI) as well as having access to the full workshop manuals and the wiring diagrams.

Using the ODIS VW Group Diagnostic Tool brings extreme confidence when the garage or technician is dealing with both customer enquiries over the phone and when dealing with complex vehicle problems.

Technicians who use the ODIS system, tend to fix more cars faster than those who use Snap-on, Bosch, Autel and Topdon diagnostic scan tools, as the ODIS system contains all of the latest content, works to the manufacturers specific communication protocol (meaning MUCH less chance of ‘bricking’ a control unit).

The ODIS software is notoriously difficult to use, as the design is not at all intuitive, the button-ology, the menus, accessing functions and information isn’t obvious, therefore it is highly recommended to attend a hands-on training course to learn how to do this.

A good ODIS training course will show you how to achieve the outcomes you want, quickly and accurately. This will help you to fix more cars faster.

There is no doubt that ODIS is very powerful diagnostic resource and can complete every function the workshop and the technician require.

Please find a link to a training course here: https://techtopics.co.uk/odis-diagnostic-system-training-for-vw-audi-seat-skoda/

How Do I Access the ODIS Diagnostics System ?

The ODIS system can be download from the relevant ERWIN website. You will need to set up an account for the country that you are in. This is free of charge for Europe.

Installing the diagnostic software is relatively straight forward. You just need to ensure that your laptop or PC meets the minimum requirements as set out on the website.

You will also need to use the correct vehicle communication interface, which you can buy directly from the VW Group to guarantee fault free use, and to be able to access the free of charge technical helpline run by the VW Group.

Here is a link to the VW Group websites where you can download the software for free:

https://erwin.volkswagen.de/erwin/showHome.do

Setting up an ERWIN login is free and instant. Once you have done this, you can then apply for a dealer number.

To be able to install the software (installation requires a license file, which again is free of charge once you have an ORGID) you’ll need your ORGID. Then you’ll generate a free license from ERWIN, and the installation can be completed.

You will need to set up an account and get an ORGID ( an independent dealer number). The forms required to do this are on ERWIN, or are available from your in-counntry distributor.

The ERWIN website will contain the most up-to-date contact details, so be sure to use this.

Do I need a specific diagnostic interface or VCI or can I use Passthru?

Whist is it possible to use a PassThru (J2534) interface to retrieve basic fault codes and data, and to communicate with emission related control units  it is recommended that the genuine 6154a VCI is used when configuring ECU’s or programming.

Here’s the situation according to Bosch “J2534 pass-thru reprogramming is only required for emissions based ECUs (eg. Powertrain, Engine, Transmission, Throttle Controller) and is mandatory on all vehicles from model year 2004 and forward. Additional support of reprogramming Chassis and Body ECUs will be dependent on each individual manufacturer’s reprogramming application software capabilities.”

This means that controllers other than Powertrain, Engine, Transmission, Throttle Controller aren’t mandated by legislation to be suported by Passthru, and may infact be damaged in attempting programming or updating.

Source: Bosch J2534 info

Bearing in mind the cost of a ruined ECU, using anything other then the genuine VCI doesn’t make sense.

Do not be tempted to buy a VW Group diagnostic interface from an unathorised outlet. There are a huge amount of cloned hardware interfaces out there. A high proportion of techs who damage vehicls and brick ECUs are found to be using a cloned ODIS which was bought from an unauthorised outlet. Some rogue sellers are including a laptop which comes with non-standard software too. This is a recipe for disaster.

VW Group run a helpline function, free of charge, to genuine tool users. This helpline is for when you get into trouble diagnosing, repairing, programming or coding a vehicle. The support team can remote control into your laptop to help solve any problems you are having. If you aren’t using the approved hardware, the helpdesk will not be able to offer any help. For this reason alone, the genuine ODIS 6154a VCI is a must.

Do I Need A Training Course Before I Can Use This System? 

We would heartily recommend that you plan to come on a training course to ensure that you get the best from the system, to save time in your workshop and on you work flows and to ensure that you can fix more cars faster. The small investment in training will pay a big dividends back. Remember, people that don’t know what they’re doing end up damaging ECU’s, and you don’t want the stress of that.

A short hands on course at a top quality, professional training centre, like Technical Topics in Bridgwater, Somerset will ensure that you fix more broken VW Group cars and faster.  The course will cover installation, updates, fault finding, trouble shooting, wiring diagrams, workshop manuals, software updates, key programming, ECU coding and much, much more. The course comes complete with a training manual.

A good training course will be run by Master Technicians. It will be based in a proper training centre. There will be classroom sessions as well as workshop sessions. You will get hands-on time with a demonstration vehicle. The course will usually run for two days.

Here’s a link to a good ODIS Diagnostic System training course: https://techtopics.co.uk/odis-diagnostic-system-training-for-vw-audi-seat-skoda/

Is there online training available for ODIS Diagnostics System?

Not yet.