Diagnostic scanner for Volvo

bil745t · Post by **bil745t** » 11 Oct 2023, 12:59

I've been looking for a diagnostic scanner that would work on a 2019 S60. I've found it frustrating to get confirmation that products would actually work on newer Volvos. Apparently around 2017 some manufactures, including Volvo, began less sharing of their "gateway" (according to one scanner company response) so using scanner features became less sure. Although it seems that some of their $450 and + products may work.

I'm hoping I can get some information from members here.

Thanks, Bill

Post by **vtl** » 11 Oct 2023, 13:12

Wrong forum? P2 guys are blessed with Chinese DiCE clones and, ugh, VIDA Community Edition.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 11 Oct 2023, 22:33

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Do a little research on this free software to see if it includes your Volvo. This has worked on cars from 2000 to 2020. Makes include Lexus, Honda, Volvo & VW using a simple dongle. Have both the bluetooth dongles for iOS and Android. Kids have iOS whereas I use Android. Reads and clears basic codes and readiness states for emissions testing. Best out of all the free softwares out there with small ad at the bottom.
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https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... carscanner
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Have purchase this particular one. They also stand behind their product as I've warranty 1 out of the 8 or so purchased over the years for ours and friend's cars.

(www.amazon.com/Mestart-OBDII-OBD2-Bluet ... B011NSX27A)
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Post by **jonesg** » 12 Oct 2023, 03:05

MoVolvos wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023, 22:33 .
Have purchase this particular one. They also stand behind their product as I've warranty 1 out of the 8 or so purchased over the years for ours and friend's cars.

(www.amazon.com/Mestart-OBDII-OBD2-Bluet ... B011NSX27A)
.

for a mere $2 more .... I leave this elm 327 plugged in permanently, its nice to be able to see what temp is rather than trust the volvo vagueometer in the dash. runs on the free torque software, theyr hard to beat for convenience but dont compare to vida.

https://www.amazon.com/ELM327-Bluetooth ... 134&sr=8-5

pine hollow diagnostics uses thinktool pro but its around $1000.
they have a newer version at half the price, still not cheap. I've watched him diagnose many volvos with this scanner running launch software.

Post by **jonesg** » 12 Oct 2023, 03:08

bil745t wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023, 12:59 I've been looking for a diagnostic scanner that would work on a 2019 S60. I've found it frustrating to get confirmation that products would actually work on newer Volvos. Apparently around 2017 some manufactures, including Volvo, began less sharing of their "gateway" (according to one scanner company response) so using scanner features became less sure. Although it seems that some of their $450 and + products may work.

I'm hoping I can get some information from members here.

Thanks, Bill

that is mostly chrysler.

Post by **MoVolvos** » 12 Oct 2023, 09:31

jonesg wrote: ↑12 Oct 2023, 03:05
MoVolvos wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023, 22:33 .
Have purchase this particular one. They also stand behind their product as I've warranty 1 out of the 8 or so purchased over the years for ours and friend's cars.

(www.amazon.com/Mestart-OBDII-OBD2-Bluet ... B011NSX27A)
.
for a mere $2 more .... I leave this elm 327 plugged in permanently, its nice to be able to see what temp is rather than trust the volvo vagueometer in the dash. runs on the free torque software, theyr hard to beat for convenience but dont compare to vida.

https://www.amazon.com/ELM327-Bluetooth ... 134&sr=8-5

(www.amazon.com/ELM327-Bluetooth-Scanner ... 134&sr=8-5)

pine hollow diagnostics uses thinktool pro but its around $1000.
they have a newer version at half the price, still not cheap. I've watched him diagnose many volvos with this scanner running launch software.

Strange! When I quote your response the Amazon link shows up, I can see it and click to it. When posting I've always had to delete the (https://) and put parenthesis on the remaining URL in order for the link to show up in the post.

I've cut and paste the link and post it under yours. Yours won't show up but the one I changed will. You can see this by clicking quote as if you were going to reply to this reply.

As for $2 dollars more I'm gonna have to give that a try. Thanks!
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bil745t · Post by **bil745t** » 13 Oct 2023, 13:18

Thanks for the responses.

I had already found the Veepeak and BlueDriver products including those that were compatible with iPhone apps. I haven't pursued any of the available apps because I wasn't sure how much of the stated capabilities and features would work on the 2019 S60. I do feel a little doubtful that a phone app will provide more capabilities and features that would work on the 2019 S60 than a product from a scanner manufacturer. As stated above, I'm not looking for a code reader/deleter but a diagnostic tool.

I watched the video and noted the products but I don't think they are within my budget. I was hoping to spend $200 - $400 on a scanner. $500 - $1000 was not in the plan. At this point, my primary goals to try to determine what options I have.

This forum is not my first stop. I've spent hours researching these products and have found it to be very frustrating to get real info, not spec sheets and promo material. I've contacted many manufacturers and authorized sellers and found it harder than it should be to determine if a $100, $200 or $500 product will actually function as advertised for our car. The issue seems to be post 2017 vehicles and the reluctance of some car manufacturers to provide scanner manufacturers with "gateway" access.

If there is anyone with post 2017 Volvos that have used diagnostic scanners, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks.

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 13 Oct 2023, 13:50

bil745t wrote: ↑11 Oct 2023, 12:59 I've been looking for a diagnostic scanner that would work on a 2019 S60. I've found it frustrating to get confirmation that products would actually work on newer Volvos. Apparently around 2017 some manufactures, including Volvo, began less sharing of their "gateway" (according to one scanner company response) so using scanner features became less sure. Although it seems that some of their $450 and + products may work.

I'm hoping I can get some information from members here.

Thanks, Bill

What features would you be looking for?

I have had luck on p2's with a foxwell scanner and have used it on new Acura's to see just about everything in the system. Also depends on the feature set you desire.

Now we have written down codes and talked with acura for them to go around and say its nothing to worry about cause of dirt or some other thing blocking sensors.

I think the question is what does "work" mean to you? Are you looking for electronic sensor testing, programming, general inspection, general maintenance, key programming, etc? This widely changes the value for money each scanner gives.

In a perfect world id have spent the 2k on an Xtool and be a happy camper. In a real world i have a 220cad foxwell scanner with 160added in upgrades i purchased for lexus, and volvo, and another 220 for ones purchased by coworkers to help me scan hyundai, kia, and VAG.

Volvo itself is quite a bit more locked down with them software upgrades when compared to a toyota, nissan, and honda so i guess we need some guinea pigs.
EDIT: Saw what you said about code reader.

So the tool i use gives me a live view of the data readings on the engine, may have logging capabilities, and read codes. I am unsure what you mean by i dont want a code reader/deleter. Most of these tools incorporate "active tests" which simply means it may actuate windows, test the HVAC settings, or read live data to see if values are in recorded specifications sheets. If you read some older car troubleshooting manuals (2008-2012 for example) the procedure for diagnosing issues is a mixture of checking live data and probing with a multimeter in a lot of cases.

I know many have thought of recognizing baseline car operations and creating a kind of decision tree ie flow chart to determine conditions of cars but i have not seen a commercial product for it.

I think your best bet is to obtain a service manual for your car, read through it, and then figure out how you can incorporate the data you can collect from the live data into a diagnostic. Hope it helps

Post by **vtl** » 13 Oct 2023, 13:56

yanga001 wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 13:50Volvo itself is quite a bit more locked down with them software upgrades when compared to a toyota, nissan, and honda so i guess we need some guinea pigs.

Toyota is the same thing: they want to sell you online access for a few days just to read the codes or look up part numbers. Luckily for most Toyotas you don't ever need to read the codes (always empty), not in the first 20 years or so.

yanga001 · Post by **yanga001** » 13 Oct 2023, 14:02

vtl wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 13:56
yanga001 wrote: ↑13 Oct 2023, 13:50Volvo itself is quite a bit more locked down with them software upgrades when compared to a toyota, nissan, and honda so i guess we need some guinea pigs.
Toyota is the same thing: they want to sell you online access for a few days just to read the codes or look up part numbers. Luckily for most Toyotas you don't ever need to read the codes (always empty), not in the first 20 years or so.

I assume this is for your 22' yota. Thats unfortunate, i can still scan my coworkers 19 or 21 tacoma but have not had the ability to attempt it on anything newer.