Is your ABA engine OBD-I or II ?
Do you have an OBD diagnostic port ?

the OBD-I systems I am familiar with generally use counting flashes of the
Check Engine light to get out basic OBD- I  one codes.
OBD -II systems with an OBD one diagnostic port ...10 pins or so , 5 of them
or so actually apply ...
when connected to an OBD-II code reader or software through your pc ..
gets you much more detailed OBD-II codes.
  The Haynes manual on OBD-II is quite good reading, btw.

the OBD-II code reader I have now doesn't even have a way to interact with
OBD-I that I know of.
 I find codes useful ..
but I use traditional diagnostic methods much more.
They're a clue is how I see them.
Temp sensors are so inexpensive that if one is suspected ..
it's not big deal to try a new one.   I don't quite regard them as a weak
link ..but I do find myself replacing them now and then.

intermittent anything  just tells me that circuit might be weak or wonky.

Thanks for mentioning RossTech  freeware ,. perhaps I'll get me some.

the pic looks like an OBD-II connector to me, the big part.

I always start with the symtoms ......then start checking things.  Most of
the time I can find about 3 or 4 or more,  half-not right things on most
engines that don't behave well that I see.

OBD-I isn't very sophisticated.
-II is way more clever.
OBD-I did lead me right to an open starter signal to ecu connection problem
once though.

scott
turbovans

----- Original Message -----
From: "neil n" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 9:59 PM
Subject: VW OBD Handheld Code Reader Questions (Jetta conversion)

> Hi all.
>
> I need a smaller handheld OBD scanner. OBD2 code readers can read OBD1
> correct?
>
> I have a 2x2 to "OBD2" cable. (Pic of type:
> http://www.alpha-bid.com/media/Prfoduct-Pics/2X2/2WayAdapter.JPG )
>
> Any recommends on an affordable but thorough code reader? Using Ross Tech
> freeware I found this DTC: "Intermittent Short To Ground Coolant sensor"
> DTC. I need something for the engine management that is that thorough. For
> lack of a better term.
>
> Jason Newton recently used his Snap On scanner and found the same DTC. (he
> also gave me some trouble shooting pointers which were really helpful.
> Thanks Jason!) I don't need something that comprehensive, (!) but just to
> give a POV on how in depth I need to get.
>
> Don't need air bag etc scanning abilities. Just engine management.
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Neil.
>
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines