OBD code readers

[EChem]

Hi all,

I have been thinking about getting an OBD II reader to use on my 2002 S80 T6.

I just went up to my local Ace and saw they had an Actron CP9125 for about 1/3 of the price ($35), so this renewed my interest.

While searching on the site for recommendations, an ad for Tmart.com was on the page. They have a number of code readers from ELM, either wired to a PC via USB or bluetooth interfaced for around $20. Sounds to good to be true. Anyone used any of these? In some posts I searched here, someone mentioned ELM as a choice for a reader that would work with Volvo, but didn't mention a specific model.

When I chose "Volvo" as the "fit brand" on the tmart site, it does bring up the Auto ELM327 V1.5 OBD2 II USB Can-Bus Car Diagnostic Scanner and the ELM327 Bluetooth OBD2 II EOBD Software Can-Bus Car Diagnostic Scanner Tool Thanksgiving Gift as 2 of the choices, even though if you click on either of these 2 individual scanners, Volvo is not listed as a compatible or non-compatible brand.

http://www.tmart.com/OBD-Diagnostics/

I thought OBD II was a universal interface so any scanner would work with any car model wth an OBD II interface port. From reading here, it seems like some scanners won't work with Volvos. Is this just because of the software used in some of the readers not being programmed to read Volvo codes? Or do all readers read the Generic DTC's (usually P0 and P2 codes), but only certain readers will read the enhanced DTC's (usually P1 codes), which I guess are model specific? Or do I have this wrong? I would like to get a scanner that will work with different car models as my neighbors, I'm sure will be borrowing it and who knows what cars I may have in the future. So I hate to lay out $150 or so only to have a scanner that may not work with future cars I may have. However, if these $20 models from ELM are as advertised and will work with my current Volvo, I won't mind at all if this unit will only work with my current Volvo. For $20 and, it looks like, having the functions of $150-200 handhelds (read/clear codes, supplying sensor data, datalogging, etc.), these seems too good to be true. Or are they?

[mikealder]

They will work for engine codes but won't cover the gearbox or airbag systems from what I recall - Mike