Are 99-00 DIM units swapable?

[RickHaleParker]

I have a slightly better than basic OBDII tester which can be set to brand specific. Set to Volvo it came up with 2 codes. I will re-confirm the numbers but if I recall correctly they were:

P1618 - Wiring error to transmission
P0608 - General error, VIN# and trans

You can't trust the generic OBDII scanners to get it right. And it looks like this is the case here. I cannot find P0608 used in the 2000 V70R. Found it in the 2000 V70 NA database as 5V supply and it is a CEM not a DIM error. The generic meaning of P0608 is Vehicle speed sensor. The P in PXXX is Powertrain. The DIM is not part of the Powertrain. If your going to do this kind of work you really should switch to VIDA. Doing so would spare you from a lot of chasing your tail.

[scot850]

I agree Rick. However, it does make sense with the errors you can see with your eyes. Transmission warning light error and highlighting a trans com error. Both of those point to the 4 to 5 speed issue.

Either way it points a way forward. I can pull the old Vida system out to look into this further and will do. The car will get pulled of the road in the near future for the winter when I plan to do more work including pulling the whole dash out for repairs to the dash mounts.
That will also give me time to check into it more. For now I plan to re-install the original which at least allows the car to be used during day-light hours for a few weeks. We have snow forecast on the weekend and dropping temperatures so that is not long away!

The purpose of this exercise has identified what I had hoped which is that the original DIM has a problem with it.

The issue now is how to fix it? With new DIM's for the'R' NLA, and the circuit board being potentially NLA or at least on a long lead time as well as very expensive, I have to try to get a fix somehow.

The dealer is contacting Volvo to see if they can lend any wisdom. They may be able to, but then there is a first time for everything as so far over the years, Volvo Canada either give vague and non-specific answers or know less than me!

I now want to find a 5 speed auto used DIM to see if it 'sorts' the issue.

When I say my OBDII tester is s lower end one, it was still expensive ($200 CDN+ 5 years ago). It has so far been pretty good at identifying issues correctly without having to pull the old Vida computer out. I also have a high end Autel which I have never used. This may be one of the occasions to see if it has any benefits over my cheaper unit.

I know P codes are powertrain/trans issue codes. Yes the DIM is not directly part of the power train, but it does record which gear you have, speed indication and transmission faults. What I do not know is how those errors may affect how the TCU reacts to these issues as it appears the DIM has to be programmed to trans type, especially for the Trans-shift position indicator.

I'll update again when I have any more information, especially if I get time to get Vida connected.

[RickHaleParker]

especially if I get time to get Vida connected.

Proceeding on questionable data is chasing your tail. Let us know what VIDA has to say.

[scot850]

Vida told me I am an idiot. It would not communicate with anything except the DIM. It gave the VIn# and the specs for the car it came from and other than that did not communicate with anything else. Kind of suspected that.

Will now re-install the original DIM and try Vida again and see if I have any more luck with reading the car from there.

I have also had info back from Volvo Sweden via the dealer service manager.

Basically you cannot over-write the DIM software. You can do a re-load/copy onto a clean/new DIM but that is it.

I still think having a correct 5-speed auto DIM may work, but any OBDII info may be nonsense if you try to read it with Vida as I found.

Appreciate the help.

Neil.

[RickHaleParker]

Vida told me I am an idiot. It would not communicate with anything except the DIM.

In VIDA click on the Start tab. [ Perform computer settings ] / [ VIN decoding off ] Then manually configure the Vehicle profile.

You might want to contact Yagger and have him take a look at it over the internet using your DiCE unit.

[scot850]

I can do that, but first I will finish of re-installing the original DIM so I can at least move the car around and I will look at the VIDA info again on the existing DIM to see what is tells me if anything. Been a long time since I needed Vida for anything but part number searching so I will have to re-familiarize myself with using it again. I will have more time over the winter.

With all the P80's I have had, every one of them has had weird electrical issues that were sometimes multiple issues or just wiring issues with broken wires or bad connectors. I have found Vida has often been of little use on those types of issue. It may give a general pointer but it is not full proof. Even the dealer said they were 'fairly' certain the DIM was the only issue. By swapping the used DIin, it has at least confirmed for the lighting issue and bad read-out that the DIM was the issue. What I have found from this process is a better understanding as well as killing a few myths. Don't believe I fully understand the inter connectivity of what tells what to do what, but I do now know the DIM has a far bigger part to play than just a information center. Is this going to be the end of the trail or this issue? Don't know. It may just be a stepping stone but you have to fix each issue as it arises. Like fixing an old tv!

Help is always appreciated as is knowledge!

Neil.