Scan tools - confusing amount... which work?

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 13 Mar 2016, 13:26

I was considering an Autel MD802, as I generally am the local go-to guy for a lot of people with various makes/models of course. I have a Mac ET50/55, but it won't read the '05 Volvo S60 of course. What I've noticed is that the MD802 comes in 2 styles. 4-system only and all system, whereas the 4-system is slightly cheaper and not what I want. I've also read reviews stating if you don't get it direct, you might get a pre-registered gray market unit. The update site stated gives a 500 Internal Server Error (www.maxidas.com). If I'm spending $275+, I want updates.
I'm trying to locate an all-in-one... all systems diagnostic / reader tool. O'Reilly has the Bosch series but am not sure if they'll work. The ELM-style reader (1050) looks promising, but have to pay $40 for the first car and about $8 for each additional. I seriously don't want to pay $200+ for a decent all-systems reader / diagnostic tool that won't work on either the Volvo or domestic/Asian.
Anyone have any ideas of that style reader which are also available that meet my "must read all systems on all cars worldwide" and less than ~$300?

Post by **precopster** » 13 Mar 2016, 15:04

That's a pretty tall order for under $300. You would need to scour and I mean REALLY scour multiple forum sites to find a tool that does it all unless you spring for a DS series costing hundreds more. The Autel MD 802 would probably do fine with Volvos as it comes from the same stable as the EU-702 & 801.

I bet they were hoping that we wouldn't click on that link

I've only seen support sites for Autel with a autel in the URL.....

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 13 Mar 2016, 15:30

precopster wrote:I bet they were hoping that we wouldn't click on that link I've only seen support sites for Autel with a autel in the URL.....

Just found the actual update page. pro. autel. com. They canned the other one apparently. I was going to buy the full boat MD802, but read reviews on it that if you order from the wrong person, you're going to get a non-supported/updateable unit. I emailed Autel USA months ago, to no response. All I asked is basically "Do you have a list of resellers where I can get a US supported, full-boat MD802?"
I did the Read/Rear Fog buttons method the other day. First time I've done this. Said I have codes in the SRS, ECM, CEM, CCM, PDM, PSM and UEM. Disconnected the battery, held the cables against eachother for about 3 min. Did my IPD PVC intercooler lower & coupler install and reinstalled battery. Drove it 39 miles so far with about 7 starts. ECM is in "Checking" mode, but the other 6 systems still have codes set.
Odd thing is, before battery disconnect and now... BCM/TCM/DDM/RDM still say "checking". I even let the car sit at BCM and waited about 10 min for it to say something different, to no change. Previous to the battery pull yesterday, car has been on the road doing 60mi / day for weeks. Is it normal for systems to be "checking" for this long?

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 13 Mar 2016, 15:30

MarcM wrote:
precopster wrote:I bet they were hoping that we wouldn't click on that link I've only seen support sites for Autel with a autel in the URL.....
Just found the actual update page. pro. autel. com. They canned the other one apparently. I was going to buy the full boat MD802, but read reviews on it that if you order from the wrong person, you're going to get a non-supported/non-updateable unit. I emailed Autel USA months ago, to no response. All I asked is basically "Do you have a list of resellers where I can get a US supported, full-boat MD802?"
I did the Read/Rear Fog buttons method the other day. First time I've done this. Said I have codes in the SRS, ECM, CEM, CCM, PDM, PSM and UEM. Disconnected the battery, held the cables against eachother for about 3 min. Did my IPD PVC intercooler lower & coupler install and reinstalled battery. Drove it 39 miles so far with about 7 starts. ECM is in "Checking" mode, but the other 6 systems still have codes set.
Odd thing is, before battery disconnect and now... BCM/TCM/DDM/RDM still say "checking". I even let the car sit at BCM and waited about 10 min for it to say something different, to no change. Previous to the battery pull yesterday, car has been on the road doing 60mi / day for weeks. Is it normal for systems to be "checking" for this long?

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 13 Mar 2016, 15:31

precopster wrote:I bet they were hoping that we wouldn't click on that link I've only seen support sites for Autel with a autel in the URL.....

Just found the actual update page. pro. autel. com. They canned the other one apparently. I was going to buy the full boat MD802, but read reviews on it that if you order from the wrong person, you're going to get a non-supported/non-updateable unit. I emailed Autel USA months ago, to no response. All I asked is basically "Do you have a list of resellers where I can get a US supported, full-boat MD802?"
I did the Read/Rear Fog buttons method the other day. First time I've done this. Said I have codes in the SRS, ECM, CEM, CCM, PDM, PSM and UEM. Disconnected the battery, held the cables against eachother for about 3 min. Did my IPD PVC intercooler lower & coupler install and reinstalled battery. Drove it 39 miles so far with about 7 starts. ECM is in "Checking" mode, but the other 6 systems still have codes set.
Odd thing is, before battery disconnect and now... BCM/TCM/DDM/RDM still say "checking". I even let the car sit at BCM and waited about 10 min for it to say something different, to no change. Previous to the battery pull yesterday, car has been on the road doing 60mi / day for weeks. Is it normal for systems to be "checking" for this long?

Post by **precopster** » 14 Mar 2016, 04:36

I wouldn't read too much into the fog buttons method....

I think once you scan it you'll need to clear them all properly. In my mind the level of complexity that a Volvo P2 needs is a Vida Dice setup. Yes it's cumbersome to bring a laptop with you and have to worry about it's battery state. Vida shows all stored codes even if not pending. It also has tests and activations that no other scan tool can perform. Because I only work on Volvos that is enough for me.

Had a guy come in for a suspected ETM the other day and he had a turbo boost sensor failure. The scan tool he was using just didn't pick it up. It was apparently something that works great with French cars

MarcM · Post by **MarcM** » 14 Mar 2016, 15:59

An MVS member and I will hopefully meet up sometime this week and use his scan tool to at least get an idea of this SRS Urgent message. I do have a laptop I can use, just have to get a copy of Win 7, since it's a Vista machine by default... currently running Ubuntu 14.04. Hoping it'll run under Wine emulator. Small backstory is I bought Vida / Wiring diagram cd's for $10 on SleazeBay months back. The Vida disk wasn't finalized so the guy sent me a link to download. Really is useless without the Dice unit. Might end up getting the Vida/Dice combo for $100, but not a trustful person of Sleazebay.

If you were in New England (Northeast tip of USA), you'd have my business. You're straight-up direct.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 26 Mar 2016, 23:33

MarcM wrote:any ideas of that style reader which are also available that meet my "must read all systems on all cars worldwide" and less than ~$300?

Our mysterious friend, CAN bus

A $60 Gadget That Makes Car Hacking Far Easier

Liliflower · Post by **Liliflower** » 15 Apr 2016, 01:37

less than ~$300?

original Autel MD802 full-boat +datastream $259, update online (with serial number and official site upgradeable)
http://www.obd365.com/wholesale/maxidia ... ystem.html

If you have a delicate XP laptop, then go for VIDA DiCE unit, less than $100
http://www.obd365.com/wholesale/volvo-v ... rsion.html

not 100% sure they do Volvo worldwide

Liliflower · Post by **Liliflower** » 11 Jan 2017, 01:20

no more Windows xp operating system. Only Win7 professional (32-bit)
price is down as well, US$85
http://www.obdii365.com/wholesale/volvo ... rsion.html