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

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1986 760 (B230FT) 420k+