Which OBD II scanner?

faststage1 · Post by **faststage1** » 29 Mar 2006, 11:06

Hello Gentlemen,
This is my first post to this board. I'm a long time Volvo owner. I just bought a 2001 V70XC for my wife, upgraded from a 1989 240 wagon with 300k miles on the clock. I'm now her favourite husband.

The question I have is which OBD II scanner are you guys using with the best results?
Second question is, where is the "Vehicle Speed Sensor" found on this car?
Thanks,
Chris

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Mar 2006, 14:25

Whatever you choose know that some turn off the service light and some do not. Know what you're buying.

I have this and like its web page it's a bit confusing. You provide the hardware (PC laptop). It does turn off the service light.

faststage1 · Post by **faststage1** » 29 Mar 2006, 16:36

You're right about being confusing. Is it a software package with a cable? Or is there a hardware interface as well? Which package to buy?
Thanks,
Chris

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Mar 2006, 20:41

Actually you don't need to even mess with the OBD-II terminal to turn off the service light on a '01 Volvo. If you want a good scanner, I whole heartedly recommend the one I bought ....Equus Innova 3100. I got mine on eBay for about $70. I've noticed that there is a cheaper one, the 3030 out now that also looks good.

How to reset the 2001 V/XC70 service light:
* The following steps must be completed with no longer than 5 seconds between each step:
* Make sure the trip meter is in T-1
* Turn ignition key to position 1
* Press and hold trip meter button until zero is shown
* While still holding the trip meter, turn key to position 2
* When original trip mileage returns, release the trip reset button
* Turn key to off

Hope this information helps.

faststage1 · Post by **faststage1** » 29 Mar 2006, 23:17

That is fantastic info, thanks a million.

Post by **matthew1** » 29 Mar 2006, 23:51

MadeInJapan wrote:Actually you don't need to even mess with the OBD-II terminal to turn off the service light on a '01 Volvo.

Good catch MIJ.

The product (software) I linked to comes with a serial port -> OBDII cable, apparently homemade. I'd recommend it only if you want a full-featured system monitor and OBDII reader. It does realtime RPM, O2 sensor readings etc.

faststage1 · Post by **faststage1** » 31 Mar 2006, 22:20

Hello MadeInJapan,
I tried your sequence to reset the "check engine" light, it did not reset, none of the warnings reset.
The messages I have coming up are: Transmission Service Required, the warning symbol "!" and Check Engine. I took it to the dealer and the said it was a Vehicle Speed Sensor related code. They cleaned the connection and it was good for two weeks now the warnings are back. Any other suggestions?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Apr 2006, 00:21

I sent you a private message responding to yours to me. The sequence I listed above was to reset a service light, not a check engine light. You can read and reset the CEL however with a scanner like I mentioned above, or you can have your codes read for free at an Auto Zone. They probably won't reset the code for you (they don't want to be liable), but you can borrow their equipment and reset it yourself.

notny41 · Post by **notny41** » 07 Dec 2006, 23:47

MIJ, the device you speak of that you connect to your pc, can you program the car's computer with that? Or does it only read codes from the car?

The fog lights I want to put on require a software update apparently and I'm wondering if such a device would allow me to upgrade that item myself rather than paying a dealer $120 to do 10 minutes worth of work.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 08 Dec 2006, 20:26

None of the sanners will program anything on your car....for instance, to turn on newly installed fog lights (programming them in) is a dealer item only...has to be done with their VIDAS or VIDA equipment.