code readers

davidrjurman · Post by **davidrjurman** » 27 Mar 2018, 22:34

Greetings all,
I have two older Volvo s that I need to get codes off.
one is a 98 V70 AWD, the other is a 96 850 Platinum.
Can I use Vida, or do I need something else to read the codes?
If other would you be kind enough to send a link to what equipment or software I'll need?
thanks

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 27 Mar 2018, 22:45

Vida-DiCE will not work on pre-1999 cars. You can use Vida as a service manual but the DiCE hardware interface will not communicate with pre-1999 cars.

There are a number of options for pre-1999 cars... Do you have a Mac, Windows or Linux PC? Do you have a Android phone.

Post by **erikv11** » 27 Mar 2018, 23:02

The cheapest short term option (free) is drive them to a parts store and ask for the codes to be read. Fix it and when you are done unplug the battery to clear the codes.

The cheapest, thorough option is Vol-FCR and an old PC laptop.

Or reply to Rick's question about what device(s) you have and we can point you to an option for them. Or pick up an OBDII code reader.

Post by **ZionXIX** » 28 Mar 2018, 05:53

https://www.amazon.com/BAFX-Products-Bl ... B005NLQAHS

davidrjurman · Post by **davidrjurman** » 28 Mar 2018, 08:06

Have an Android, and an old PC. Is either better than the other? What is Vol-Fcr? Is this the one I need a Vag-Com cable for?
What will I get the best accuracy from?

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 28 Mar 2018, 10:33

Android
850 ODB-II Price $1.99. Orginal written for '96 - '98 Volvo 850, been expanded to support other '96 - '98 Volvo cars. It has a Cumbersome GUI but does have support for modules that a generic OBD readers do not support. OBD interface: ELM327 Bluetooth or USB (via OTG ObdLink SX -cable).

Windows
VOL-FCR 1.7.6 Price £105.00 ($148.15) Without VAT, £126.00 ($177.78) with VAT. Ridiculously expensive for what it is.

Vehicle Coverage

Requires Windows XP Vista and Windows 7 are NOT supported. Although you may get it to work on those operating systems, VOL-FCR does not officially support them.

VOL-FCR 1.3.X There are older versions hacked versions that can be downloaded and used for free.

You need to supply your own cable for VOL-FCR. I got 1.3.X working with a VAG-COM KKL cable ... sort of. Communication with the car is unreliable but that is most likely my cheap CH340 based VAG-COM.

Volvo850diag Price Free. I have not got around to setting this up and checking it out. Looks like it might be worth the time. Uses a ELM357 interface. There is another member that knows this software, perhaps he will chime in.

These are the three that I can think of that go beyond the capabilities of a generic reader and work with pre-1999 cars.

Post by **erikv11** » 28 Mar 2018, 15:59

Yes, take note that basically no one here would recommend to buy VOL-FCR 1.7.6.

Get one of the older versions (1.3.x) and the right VAG-COM cable chipset and it works flawlessly. Cables are about 15 bucks last time I looked. Software-cable combos are all over eBay and most of them are good but it is worth making sure, unfortunately it has been a few years since I acquired it so I don't know what a good source is currently. Wait for someone who knows to chime in, Neil (scot850) may know.

VOL-FCR is better than the Android tools for diagnostics.

Volvo850diag does more than VOL-FCR but has a steeper learning curve.

Post by **esl_97_850_T5** » 28 Mar 2018, 17:43

from the author of volvo850diag...

Assuming you do *not* plan on re-flashing your engine/fuel ECU, and seeing that you *do* have an Android device...

1. For: a) ease of use while in the car, and for b) your first choice of diagnostic hardware to buy, I suggest you use a KWPD3B0-capable ELM327 Bluetooth tool -- eg, BAFX Bluetooth ELM327 (like ZionXIX linked to), Kiwi Bluetooth ELM327, Scantool.net OBDLink LX BT (like I use), Scantool.net OBDLink MX BT -- in conjunction with the xiaotec "850 OBD-II" Android app that RickHaleParker mentioned.

Click here to see an evaluation of xiaotec "850 OBD-II" (or an older version of it).

If the "850 OBD-II" Android app doesn't do what you want, email the author and ask him to change/fix/enhance it.

2. Then I'd augment that "ELM327 Bluetooth / xiaotec '850 OBD-II' app" duo with a good OBDII emission diagnostics Android app: eg, Torque (free), Torque Pro, OBDlink app (that comes free with Scantoolnet OBDLink LX BT and OBDLink MX BT), or one of the whole slew of other good OBDII apps.

3. Most '96-'98 Volvo 850/S70/V70/C70/XC70 DIYers can suffice with the combination of items #1 and #2 -- ie, with a proper Bluetooth tool, "850 OBD-II" app, and a generic OBDII emission diagnostics app.