1996 850 NA OBDII Bluedriver or Cheapo

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 01 Jan 2017, 09:25

I'm looking at the Bluedriver OBDII reader for $100 bucks, it is able to do the
usual, but not ABS, and store live data:
http://www.lemurmonitors.com/
I've read good things about it working
well with many other cars which I want to do, Ford, Cadillac, Hyundai.
Anyone else using it with the Volvo, is there a better one for about $100, or
should I just get a cheapo?
Is there a preferred cheap one that people like here?

Also would be nice to get a gas mileage indication for my son to improve his
driving habits.

Thanks, and happy new year!

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 01 Jan 2017, 10:36

Jim with the 97 850 blog uses an NT300 not sure if it is a Lincos or Foxwell brand.

Post by **utilityaudio** » 02 Jan 2017, 01:35

i just picked up this one from Amazon a couple weeks ago, seems to work well for $50. I need it for checking emissions monitors on my S70 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H9 ... WJYIISJIMI

I am currently only using the free software that comes with it, but it claims to be compatible with another App called Torque Pro ($5 for Android) that gets good reviews, I will probably get that soon for the upgraded options (clear codes etc.)

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 02 Jan 2017, 11:29

Thanks that looks good.

I read in another thread that OBDLink SX works well and can do this with volvo850diag:
"virtually certain you'll be able to read the 1996-1997 850 and 1998 S70/V70/XC70 mileages
and reset those cars SERVICE light if you use the volvo850diag software, if you have a laptop
that will run WinXP or Win7, has USB 2.0 ports"
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=68380

I downloaded volvo850diag.zip, hard to find the link:
http://jonesrh.info/volvo850/volvo850diag.zip
and am planning to buy the OBDLink SX since it looks decent at a low price. Any
newer info that would make this a bad choice?
OBDwiz free with the $30 OBDLink SX:
https://www.scantool.net/obdwiz/

Just noticed that the OBDlink LX is made by the same company but is Bluetooth, so I
might get this one. Wonder if volvo850diag works over the Bluetooth connection?
https://www.scantool.net/obdlink-lxbt/

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 02 Jan 2017, 22:34

I don't think that we will actually use this scanner very much so I'm going to buy
the $30 OBDLink SX. I like that it is a US based company that has good customer
support, also reported that it works very well.
If I find that we are driving around with it a lot I'll buy the LX for frequent use
with an android device.

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 03 Jan 2017, 08:37

This topic interests me. Please post a follow up on how well the OBDLink SX works for you. Thanks.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 04 Jan 2017, 08:06

Hi Bugs11 I'm having a bit of information overload here, went to buy it and noticed
the MX version that has better support for GM and Ford and we have both, so now
I'm thinking of just buying once and getting that one. On the other hand, the site
lists add on software for GM and Ford that is not cheap. The free software certainly
covers the basics. Have you looked into any of the details on these?

bugs11 · Post by **bugs11** » 04 Jan 2017, 13:06

I looked into them last year, but ended up taking the car to the local auto store and had the codes read there. I have the lambda light on. The code was for an oxygen sensor. I have a list of things to do to this car yet, reading codes would be handy, but mechanically the engine is the working the best on my car. I replaced the head gasket plus a bunch of other engine parts (PCV kit, timing belt kit, plugs, vacuum hoses, etc...) about a year ago - it was quite the adventure.

PeteB · Post by **PeteB** » 14 Jan 2017, 14:03

Got the SX version and so far it has worked perfectly:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=79166&p=428183#p428183