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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by jadnhm on Mon Sep 29 13:39 CST 2008
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last visit: Tue May 22 18:03 CST 2012

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Hello everyone.

I'm trying to decide what to buy for a scan tool.

There are a couple of options, and I'm just trying to sort it all out about which ones can perform which functions. I imagine there are a number of other people out there with similar concerns, so I thought I'd try to wrap up everything I think I know now, and hopefully get corrected where I'm wrong.

Also, I have a 1998 V70, which appears to be one of the 'black sheep' of the obd-ii volvos, as it were. It would be nice to get some clarification on this issue as well.

generic scanner like an Aquus or something
- can read all standard 'EPA' trouble codes
- can read many of the 'volvo' codes, but cannot provide a text description for these codes so a secondary reference would be needed to make sense of these
- there are some networks/servers in the car that cannot be connected to. Climate control would be one? Seats? SRS? ABS?
- there are many models to choose from with appropriately varying capabilities

Auto enginuity
- seems like it has the same restrictions in terms of readable codes/networks as the generic scanner
- more features like data capture/playback, realtime gauges, etc

obd-2.com
- Alex Pepper's infamous hardware/software combo.
- seems like his website lists some good volvo specific stuff
- 95-99 Volvo enhanced Motronic 4.2 and 4.3 engine 3 digit trouble code requests, includes power stages and level 2 temperature warnings.
- Volvo body and chassis 95-99 trouble code update with defined numbers and new 2004 x40, x70 code requests.
- Volvo trouble code server requests, includes combustion heater
- Enhanced 95-97 Volvo reset maintenance interval lights.
- For model year 95 - 97 Volvo you can reset and turn off maintenance interval lights. After performing recommended service, press enhanced in main menu, when offline, to establish Volvo network login.
- notably, his note on the service light reset functionality does not include my 1998 model year -> CAN ANYONE CONFIRM WHETHER THIS FUNCTION WILL WORK ON 1998 MODEL YEAR??
- sounds like maybe this can connect to most/all the servers in the car?
- good price
- the software looks a little confusing (I downloaded it and played with the sample vehicle data capture)
- the software looks very full featured

ScanGuage-II
IPD
- lots of features
- small screen
- pretty expensive
- not really any indication about the service light functionality
- no indication about volvo specific codes or aux servers like SRS, ABS, etc.

VOL-FCR
- most expensive
- looks like this one can connect to /all/ servers in the car? Is this true?
- looks like this one definitely /can/ reset my 1998 service light.
- no 'scan tool' functionality like sensor data graphing or capture/playback like in obd-2.com

--
1986 760 (B230FT) 420k+

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Service light reset V70-XC70

posted by TimeToBakeTheDonuts on Sat Oct 4 14:02 CST 2008
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last visit: Thu Aug 29 16:10 CST 2013

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It takes about 40 minutes to remove the dashpad, yank the cluster, remove the USELESS and INSIDEOUS Service Light, and replace the dashpad. How ridiculous for there to be no way to reset it DIY. Problem solved. I think spending any more than $30 for a tool to reset the light would be foolish.

To remove the dashpad, first disconnect the battery (to prevent airbag trouble). Pull the air vents, speaker grills, and the small defroster bezels on the ends of the dashboard. Remove all the torx screws. Remove the glovebox (easy on the '98) and remove the screws at the front of the glovebox opening going up into the dashpad.

I thought about two solutions (black tape over light, buying a reset tool), but just bit the bullet and yanked the pad then the bulb. Good luck, Don '98 S70 T5

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by machine man on Fri Oct 3 08:53 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Oct 22 15:40 CST 2014

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My experience with a reader verus a scan tool is the amount of money you want to spend on a shot gun!

Both only point you in the general area of the problem and splatter a bunch of imformaton!

Example. Code stats possibly miss fire on number three cylinder. Bad oxygen sensor in right bank.

Is it a spark plug, a wire or air leak at the intake. Some fords have six sensors in the whole system. One ahead of the air pump and one on each side of the catalytic converter doubled for dual exhaust! Shot gun blast at the area.

Check Engine Light is the shops best coworker for getting work in the shop. If the mechanic works on these day in and day out probably already knows from past experience (paying diagnostic customers)and just changes the part. Charges for it and if it doesn't work he puts your good part in his box for his next trial and error. Change the next most often part and if you are a regular gives you a discount off on the parts.

You can do the same thing just by learning to know how your car systems work.

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by jadnhm on Wed Oct 1 01:45 CST 2008
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last visit: Tue May 22 18:03 CST 2012

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Hey fellas,

I'm just responding to poke this message back up to the top of the forum list. I was hoping that someone would chime in with some advice about whether I'm off base or not with my impressions/ideas about each of these scan tools.

If anyone has any advice to offer at all it would be greatly appreciated.

--
1986 760 (B230FT) 420k+

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by KlausC on Thu Oct 2 04:32 CST 2008
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last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

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It is fun reading all of the posts on various sites about scan tools. Like "littlehelphere", I have also gotten very few CELs. My current problem is for a bad gas cap, my local auto parts store lets me use their scanner for free and I look at the code and delete it. Lately, I just disconnect the battery for 10 minutes because I know what the problem is.

As for clearing the service light? Three solutions: Use it to remind you to not rev up the engine while it is on and the engine is still cold. Get a small piece of black electrical tape and cover it up. Pull the instrument cluster and remove the light bulb, when replacing other burned out bulbs. A lot cheaper than $170 for a special tool.

The laptop software programs are the best scan tools, so long as they work for your year of car. The $50 hand held tools only work for generic and common codes and do nothing for specific Volvo codes. There is an outfit in Sweden that sells a hand held that does Volvo codes for around $185, but that is for P2 cars - 2001+

Klaus
--
Just driving a 1998 V70R :)

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by LilHelpHere on Wed Oct 1 18:02 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Oct 15 22:09 CST 2014

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Nice job on the research and post.
Do you really need one?
One alternative that is sometimes used, is to go to an Autozone or similar outfit and ask to have codes read which they have been doing for free. That option would be for infrequent use, and in fact the check engine lights come on pretty infrequently as it is. A good relation with your local Volvo specialist works well for this too. I have a 97 850 that needs a separate device (about $170) to reset the service light. I could never bring myself to get two devices, and have managed to live without them for 7 years. One caution, I went to a local import shop and he bogusly said oxygen sensors, I said 'let's try clearing the code and I'll come right back if it pops up again' I think I've had a CEL twice -one was when I got the plugs wet cleaning the engine, the other might have been the gas cap I don't remember but they were nothing major
Have fun
--
'97 855na, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBay's

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by cx on Sat Oct 4 06:08 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 07:56 CST 2014

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Yeah, probably could have gotten away with just running back and forth to Autozone but i like the idea of having the scan tool within reach if i need it. I got this nice s70 very reasonably from a dealer who took it on a trade with the CEL on and i was able to use it to my advantage to get the car at a good price.

Dan

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What Is The Final Word On Scan Tools V70-XC70

posted by cx on Wed Oct 1 11:47 CST 2008
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last visit: Wed Oct 8 07:56 CST 2014

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Hi jadnhm,
I didn't reply earlier since I only recently picked one up and have only used it a few times. I just got an s70 for my daughter and picked up an innova 3100a scan tool. All i have done so far is run scans and reset the check engine light a couple of times( have since repaired the secondary air pump system so hopefully am done with the CEL for a while). This tool has an excellent reputation on any reviews I have seen online and seems to be a nice machine so far. Some of the parts suppliers have them but I got mine on Amazon for < $90 with free shipping. Nice manual comes with it along with a cd(haven't looked at yet). The case was extra but I got it to keep everything safe in one place.

Dan

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