1998 S70 OEM Diagnostic Scan Tool

North42g · Post by **North42g** » 08 Nov 2014, 06:29

Hello ,
It has been a while since I have posted a question here. I own three Volvo's ,a 1995 850 GLT 2.4L, a 1998 S70 2.4L and a 1999 V70 2.4L. However, I always return to the best Volvo Forum there is MVS! Here is my issue:

1998 S70 2.4L; the dash board is lit up lick a Christmas tree! SRS light illuminated, ABS/TRAC lights Illuminated, MIL/CEL & finally the "Service" light is blinking.
As far as the ABS/TRAC light is concerned, I have read the posts and fixes for the ABS module. And I performed it. I removed the module from the pump & soldered the joints as instructed. It worked! However, it was short lived. 13 days later, the Fault lights returned.

I am a factory trained/ASE Cert. Volkswagen Tech. I would like to be able to solve these issues on my own. I have been unable to locate a Diagnostic Scan tool that will communicate with ALL the modules of the vehicle. There are a slew of aftermarket scanners (some good, some not so good) that will read the ECU codes. But when it comes to ABS/Trac & SRS Airbag none will communicate. The Genysis Claims too, but it doesn't. Even some of the higher end Scanners only have limited capabilities. Such as SNAP-ON; the Snap-On MODIS & SOLUS-PRO only read specific year range; it reads 2000 to 2014.

So I feel stuck. I REALLY do NOT want to resort to paying the dealer the one hundred bucks to scan the codes. What I really want is is to own some software and/or hardware that I can attach to my Windows Laptop. I heard of some of them from reading Posts on this site, but which one is the best, user friendly ? And what else will I need? Should I buy any old 16 pin Data Link Connector that will plug into my Laptops USB? Then What? Can someone please recommend something that really actually works accurately? Please let me know what you guys recommend. Thanks In advance.
-North42g

Post by **Ben850** » 08 Nov 2014, 11:40

I understand completely.

I do not own the '98 that I have planned to purchase.

I did try a few on some ones 4.3 and 4.4 Monotronic systems last week.

Diagnostics I have at this point are three.

The OBD I emulator which I had built into a deodorant canister (easy for me to carry) It will reset codes on an OBD II system wile using the same code readings with the flash codes. There are threads showing this schematic..

It will not read everything, but will read some that an OBD II cannot .

A Bluetooth elm327 unit that connects through Bluetooth to a Galaxy tablet utilizing the Torque APP.

VOL-FCR Software through an serial port emulator to USB. VOL-FCR software is needed. although not sold anymore.

All of these together, being used for what you need, might help.

I have been able to delete codes between these three options.
It is ongoing.
Edit: Apologies, I realize I do not have the answer to the OEM diagnostic tools used at this point. I could not afford that.
I do it for, well, me.

Post by **Matty Moo** » 08 Nov 2014, 13:26

I use VOL-FCR only on my 98. You can use your current vag-com cable too, no need to buy another.

Post by **Ben850** » 08 Nov 2014, 13:32

Matty Moo wrote:I use VOL-FCR only on my 98. You can use your current vag-com cable too, no need to buy another.

I did Matt, it does work for me now.

North42g · Post by **North42g** » 22 Nov 2014, 07:09

does anyone know where to purchase or obtain , VOL-FCR software??
A reliable, safe source? I see some trial / demo versions available on the internet but not sure who the the original software comes from.
Does anyone have the info?
Or info on good volvo diagnostic software for model years(S70, V70, etc.) 1997 - 2001?

Blockpartie · Post by **Blockpartie** » 22 Nov 2014, 09:50

You need two different kinds of diagnostic equipment to cover all your cars. Volvo changed a lot for the 1999 model year so they introduced new equipment.

On your '95 simply use the OBD I interface under the hood.
Vol-FCR can be bought on the manufactureres website which is ilexa.co.uk and requires a laptop. It will work with your '98 car.
For your '99 a Dice unit and Vida will work best. This is the OEM solution and cheap clone versions are available. Be aware that you will not be able to do everything a dealer can without a subscription.

Post by **esl_97_850_T5** » 22 Nov 2014, 17:34

North42g,

1. My understanding is that Vol-FCR Full can be bought from http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/volfcr.html page. As of today it was £126.00 (Including VAT at 20%).

2. What I would suggest for your '98 S70 is to first at least try Brick-Diag Free v0.0.6.6, since it is only about $1-2 via Paypal. It works with the VAG/COM KKL cables. I've used it with a VAG/COM KKL FTDI based cable that my Vol-FCR v1.7.3 Demo works with. I've also used Brick-Diag Free with an even cheaper VAG/COM KKL CH340 based (cheap blue) cable (which Vol-FCR v1.7.3 Demo does *not* work with).

Brick-Diag Free v0.0.6.6 is my 2nd preferred diagnostic tool for the KWPD3B0 ECUs which are common in the '96-'98 Volvos (**if** I can't do the diagnosis with my 1st preferred diagnostic tools: volvo850diag.html w/ ELM327 and IE, followed by kwpd3b0_interpreter.html).

Brick-Diag Free v0.0.6.6 is much more useful than Vol-FCR v1.7.3 Demo, since Brick-Diag Free can interpret all the DTCs for all the '97 850 and '98 S70/V70 ECUs which I've tried with it so far. I use the Brick-Diag Free's 3-digit Volvo code and English description, along with the description of that same 3-digit Volvo code in: volvo-diagnostic-codes-1995-to-1998, the extremely informative entire 1995 Volvo 850 Service Manual, a Haynes manual, and MVS searches, to determine what to do about the code.

To learn more about Brick-Diag Free, I'd suggest following all the links relating to "Brick-Diag" on both the Volvo 850 Diagnostic Links page and in the Volvo 850 OBDII FAQ.

esl_97_850_T5

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 22 Nov 2014, 19:14

A cracked version of VOL-FCR is all over the P2P sites - Think Arggh and Rum.

Obviously, virus scan anything you get from such a place. VOL-FCR will deal with pretty much any subsystem on the car and if it is Motronic 4.4, which it should be, it will read engine codes.

For '99 and newer cars it is worthless and potentially dangerous. For the newer cars you need VIDA and DICE but DICE is worthless for a '98.

...Lee

Post by **precopster** » 23 Nov 2014, 03:04

The most annoying aspect of a VOL-FCR system for the novice user is that it won't reset the service light on Moronic 4.4

Blockpartie · Post by **Blockpartie** » 23 Nov 2014, 04:08

Just so there is no confusion: OEM coverage is only possible with the OEM solution. BrickDiag (Free), Vol-FCR and ELM327 all "fail" at certain tasks. Simply reading or deleting an error code is easy but for complex problems not all that usefull. Linked error code tables are also incomplete/faulty.