iCarSoft i906 reader sometimes doesn’t connect

jkatz · Post by **jkatz** » 03 Mar 2021, 06:08

I recently bought the iCarSoft i906 reader for my new-to-me XC70 (2007, 171k mi) and initially it was great, hours of entertainment scanning the many codes in all the modules. But sometimes I plug it in and turn the key to II and immediately the brake failure message appears and the shift interlock solenoid starts jackhammering open and closed, even with my foot off the brake. When this happens the reader won’t connect to the vehicle and no amount of turning the car off an on or unplugging the reader will restore it.

Has anyone else seen this? Is it an issue with my car, or the iCarSoft reader? I have read the codes in my other car, a v70 (na, 2003, 169k mi) but there were so few codes - it is such a great car compared to the XC70 - that I didn’t need to read them more than once, and it just worked the first time.

Post by **jonesg** » 04 Mar 2021, 06:17

Its failing to establish communication if it works with the other car. possible port problem.
Beyond elec spray cleaner on the socket under the dash I wouldn't know, maybe video it on your phone and put it on youtube, lots of information there.

darylrobert · Post by **darylrobert** » 05 Mar 2021, 03:02

i have the same scanner and have never had any issues with it, just make sure the plug it fitted squarely, i have some problems like this with the VIDA dice, but not the icarsoft.

Post by **jonesg** » 05 Mar 2021, 03:43

Plenty of people have issues of no power at the socket,
A blown cig lighter fuse can stop the power feed to the socket.
Make sure theres nothing plugged into the lighter, such as GPS or phone charger.

jkatz · Post by **jkatz** » 05 Mar 2021, 09:20

Thanks for all the replies. I didn’t realize no power at the socket is an occasional issue. Mine is an intermittent issue, where sometimes it will work several times in a row, and sometimes I have to just give up and try again later. If I can get it to work and even stream data it will often lose connection during the test drive, which is a small hassle.
Interesting about the link to the cig lighter socket. The fuse looks good, but the previous owner installed some kind of FM phone transmitter behind the radio that I will need to pull the waterfall to remove. I assume they tapped into the cigarette lighter power, but I have not checked. I guess I will get rid of it and see if it helps.

Markus · Post by **Markus** » 08 Mar 2021, 00:58

I had a similar issue with my iCarsoft Vol2 reader after 6 months of usage.
In my case is the SD card inside was gone. New SD card with the software flashed and works perfect now for years.
regards Markus

cleven · Post by **cleven** » 13 Jun 2021, 18:14

Has anyone ever done a T/B recalibrate with a icarsoft yet?

jkatz · Post by **jkatz** » 20 Jun 2021, 06:07

I’ve never done anything but read DTCs and stream live data. Actually I don’t think my model can do anything more than that.

Post by **jonesg** » 21 Jun 2021, 08:16

jkatz wrote: ↑05 Mar 2021, 09:20 Thanks for all the replies. I didn’t realize no power at the socket is an occasional issue. Mine is an intermittent issue, where sometimes it will work several times in a row, and sometimes I have to just give up and try again later. If I can get it to work and even stream data it will often lose connection during the test drive, which is a small hassle.
Interesting about the link to the cig lighter socket. The fuse looks good, but the previous owner installed some kind of FM phone transmitter behind the radio that I will need to pull the waterfall to remove. I assume they tapped into the cigarette lighter power, but I have not checked. I guess I will get rid of it and see if it helps.

disconnect battery first or you might get SRS to add to the woes.

jkatz · Post by **jkatz** » 21 Jun 2021, 14:06

Can’t the i906 clear the SRS light? If it doesn’t do that I feel a little underwhelmed by it’s capabilities, I should have bought the Vol2 or Vol3 for not much more money.