I am being pushed into this millenium with my recent inheritence of 2 40series cars, a V and an S (yeah, I now have 8 Volvos, make an offer, I need to sell some).
I've always been pretty successful with even the simple OBD-1 diagnostics, and would like to get a good tool for the OBD-2 systems on these cars.
I have heard some tales of "hidden" codes on some Volvos, and high prices to be paid to dealers to get them.
I'm interested in something that will do it all, I don't like being beholden to a dealer. IPD sells some tools which look good, and make great claims (Foxwell NT 300 Diagnostic Scan Tool).
Any experience with these?
Would consider something which hooked to a laptop if that got me what I wanted (everything) at a lower price (but the IPD units are cheap enough, if they work).

Also, what is the best manual for repairs?


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84 242Ti IPD bars&springs, 89 745 16v M46 IPD bars, 89 744 16v M46 IPD bars, 93 945 Turbo AW71, 91 245SE AW70 IPD bars, 93 245 CLassic M47

You probably do not have the non-US model, but just in case (and to help other international Brickboarders) if your S40/V40 is MAP and not MAF then you have a Siemens Fenix 5.1 ECU which is not OBD1 or OBD2. It has the right connector, but you will be talking to the transmission not the ECU. Even catches out the dealer here in New Zealand. Lack of OBD is why the first S40 could not be sold in the US, then (I think) only turbos got OBD2, and eventually around 2000 all switched to OBD2. Only the dealer can communicate with the first ECUs.

I've always told myself if I enter the new millenium I'm going to get this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VOLVO-DICE-VOLVOS-VIDA-DICE-new-2010A-/170561739099?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item27b645995b

Probably a knockoff scan tool, but couple that with 2010 Vadis (an incredible amount of knowledge there) and its essential. The bad news, its $650. Tons of benefits, but its likely more than you're going to get from selling one of your 240's (at least it would be if you accepted my offer ;-))


For my 96 I bought the cheapest usb OBDII scanner I could find on ebay (I think $21 or so) and it is good enough. Can read codes, get O2 sensor data, can use it on the other cars (except 96-02ish Audi and VW's, of which I have none)..

For the manual, I obtained a Chilton, a Haynes, and a copy of Vadis 2004, which has more than enough info for most jobs..
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If you're not driving it "like its stolen," are you really driving?