OBDii diagnostics on laptop

williamregan · Post by **williamregan** » 04 Oct 2008, 14:46

I have a 96 non-turbo 850 that has an SRS light on. I got the demo version of the VOL-FCR software hoping it would give me the error codes. I bought the scantool.net cable but have not been able to get this to work on a Dell laptop. I get a message "interface-error, check connections". The cable is screwed on tight on the laptop and pushed in all the way on the ODBII port.

Can anyone advise me on what could be wrong?

Thanks,

Bill

von_braun · Post by **von_braun** » 09 Nov 2008, 14:01

Im a bit confused on whats necessary, can I just buy a serial to OBD 2 cable and use pc software like FCR, or do I need other hardware. This looks promising. http://cgi.ebay.com/VOLVO-CODE-READER-I ... .m20.l1116
I have VADIS running on my pc, does that require the Volvo scan tool or can I use any ODB2 reader.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 09 Nov 2008, 18:54

That cable should work- not all do.
Also, the FCR software will not work with OBDII to USB, so keep that in mind. To use VADIS for diagnostics (hooking it to your car), yes, you do need Volvo's proprietary hardware.

von_braun · Post by **von_braun** » 10 Nov 2008, 14:03

Thanks allot MIJ

Post by **marginal** » 04 Aug 2010, 20:50

MadeInJapan wrote:Also, the FCR software will not work with OBDII to USB, so keep that in mind.

You mean that only a serial cable will work?
Thanks.

BigRed · Post by **BigRed** » 08 Aug 2010, 18:32

williamregan wrote:I have a 96 non-turbo 850 that has an SRS light on. I got the demo version of the VOL-FCR software hoping it would give me the error codes. I bought the scantool.net cable but have not been able to get this to work on a Dell laptop. I get a message "interface-error, check connections". The cable is screwed on tight on the laptop and pushed in all the way on the ODBII port.

Can anyone advise me on what could be wrong?

Thanks,

Bill

I have a $5 cable from eBay that I got to use on my A6 with VAG-COM. It's a DB9 to OBDII with very little circicutitry inbetwen...unlike the ELM.

I also have a 855t & it works great with VOL-FCR.

My friend has an ELM from Scan Tool & I tried it with both VOL-FCR & VAG-COM & it did not work with either.

I got a coupon for a reader at Harbor Freight that can display live data from sensors, record it & playback. I may just get that so I don't have to deal with laptop in car fro most things except the very specific things.

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 09 Sep 2010, 16:10

Does anyone know of any other (newer than 2008) available software for a laptop with generic USB OBD2 cable?

billybob121 · Post by **billybob121** » 04 Jun 2011, 17:07

is there such a program for MAC OS i can not find a single damn thing on google!

gswede · Post by **gswede** » 05 Jun 2011, 13:46

I have a 97`R with a OBDII port under coinholder. Have been looking for diagnostic software for my car and to be honest, the more I look the more confused I get.
Seems like there is way to many options floating about.

- Cables not working
- OS compatibility
- Can reset service lamp
- Can not reset service lamp
- Can read tranny codes
- Can not read tranny codes
- Busy OBDII port faults (not readable)

Sorry for beeing and absolute dork about this but I would like to know if there is such a thing as a bullet proof codereader setup that will provide all necessary software/hardware to both reset service light and read codes for AC/Engine/Tranny etc. without having to buy 3 different plugs and cables and software.

Guess what I really want is a small handheld unit.

Any and all suggestions will be much appreciated.

billybob121 · Post by **billybob121** » 19 Jun 2011, 16:11

billybob121 wrote:is there such a program for MAC OS i can not find a single damn thing on google!

anyone find a mac obd ii program yet? There is only one called yhasi and its crazy money!