OBD2 Code Reading Issue

geminiys · Post by **geminiys** » 07 May 2017, 22:44

My dad's XC70, 2005 has Check Engine Light On. I have tried reading the code using 2 different, generic OBD2 scanners that work on all other, new cars that I have but on Volvo I get "Communication Error". The scanners are pretty good, one is on the expensive side and the other is a cheap one but both give the same result. I have checked the obvious - fuse and found to be in working order. Anyone knows what could it be? I would like to read the code and get it fixed ASAP. Please advice.

Thank you

geminiys · Post by **geminiys** » 09 May 2017, 20:46

No body has any suggestions?

Post by **JRL** » 09 May 2017, 21:27

Yes buy a new one, one that reads CAN and works on Volvos past 2005. (ask the manufacturer)
System changed and older and/or cheaper readers do not work on 05s and newer

Post by **Botbasher** » 10 May 2017, 06:23

Short of buying a new one... which is the best overall solution and if you intend on keeping the Volvo in the stable, I suggest a VIDA/DICE unit as it's saved me thousands in the weeks I've used it...

Head down to PepBoys/Autozone/Advance.... and have them read it for you. Theirs are current to this year and it'll tell you if you have a Comm issue before you get another unit only to find the same issue faces you!

Good Luck!

K "Lovin La VIDA loca" S

geminiys · Post by **geminiys** » 10 May 2017, 20:42

Thank you for suggestions. The reader I have supports CAN bus as well as others but still doesn't work on my Volvo. In California the auto stores are no longer allowing to have OBD2 reading to be performed, that is what I heard. However, I will go and ask to see if they will or not.

Thanks again guys.

Post by **Botbasher** » 10 May 2017, 21:36

Ok.... do they have loaner tools? Advance and ORileys here will "loan" you tools... basically you buy then and they refund you when you bring it back.

Barring that... you could hit up an indie garage... let them read it... Get their list of needed repairs or read it over their shoulder.

Being able to read CAN-bus is like speaking a language... you may be able to understand the words, but do you understand their meaning? Volvo, VW, GM, Ford, Renault, Fiat.... What languages does your Reader speak??? DTC codes are pretty generic to a point, but unless it's updateable, it's only as good and as current as the day it was sold... and usually a year or so before that.

Two different readers failing is odd... you might have a bad port, but until you get to a known capable reader (one that's read similar MY cars), I'd suspect my readers because if the car is operable, the odds of the OBD being dead is pretty slim.

K "bon jour" S

Post by **mrbrian200** » 11 May 2017, 00:00

How old is it? Many older less expensive scanners say they support CAN, but if you dig you'll find they don't support CAN 2.0b (higher speed, longer 29 bit length). In essence they only read older CAN cars before the early-mid 2000s. Your XC70 is high speed/29b.

Cookie-the-Swede · Post by **Cookie-the-Swede** » 11 May 2017, 08:22

Check the seal on your gas cap. The last three times I got a "check engine" light, it turned out to be the gas cap.

Post by **Botbasher** » 11 May 2017, 08:28

Cookie-the-Swede wrote: ↑11 May 2017, 08:22 Check the seal on your gas cap. The last three times I got a "check engine" light, it turned out to be the gas cap.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if all our Volvo DTCs were that simple?

Worth a try though!!

K "parabellum" S

Post by **abscate** » 12 May 2017, 07:44

The AUTEL series reads my 2005 CANBUS just fine, as well as my 2006 BMW.

The successive models are actually all the same unit, there are just more cars in software - I bought the 800 series as I tend to get a lot of requests for car help in the hood from all makes. I paid about $150 for mine some years back. It has paid for itself N times, N large.

In California the auto stores are no longer allowing to have OBD2 reading to be performed,

Thats probably unreliable information. Stores will certainly tell you this and sell you the reader, but I have had Moms Golf read in Orange County for free at one of the chains last year.