Ck engine light on. Looking for a scanner. checked IPD they have two. I have not read any threads on these units can anyone help? I have 96 glt. How many obII ports are there? Are there two sets of codes? What about programs that hook up to your lap top? I've tried to understand some of the posts on this subject but seems way over my head. I'm a DIY but not Tech. I need to start from square one. Anyone that can help I'd appreciate it!

 

1996 has only one OBDII port ("north" of the Gear Shifter). You will only get P-XXXX DTC ("diagnostic trouble code").

There are 2 kinds of scanners/readers:

A- Generic. These will read most of of the engine and transmission codes. It will not read ABS, SRS, Cruise Control, and it will not read some Volvo-specific Engine & Transmission codes.

Options:

1- Stand-alone unit: get them on local auto parts store or online (Amazon.com, eg): Prices start at about $ 50 and go up.

2- Software and Connector: Prices start at about $ 30. Check Ebay. You basically buy a USB-to-OBDII Connector and get the software on a CD. Other OBDII software if freely available on the internet.

There are pros and cons on both options.


B- Volvo-specific reader: for about # $ 300 you can get software, hardware and adapters from VOL-FCR http://www.ilexa.co.uk/acatalog/volfcr.html. It will read, and erase SRS, ABS, etc. along with Engine, Transmission.

I have heard that the home-made LED tool will read/erase Volvo-specific codes. It is not hard to build, but I have not tried it on a Volvo.

 

Go to Autozone, they will read the codes for you. If you want to purchase your own, you just need an OBDII code reader...the more money you spend the more features you get. Some have code explanations built in, some you have to look in a book. Bottom line your car is going to be producing generic codes so along the lines of money spent you only need a generic code reader then search the internet to find the possible causes.

 

I personally would avoid anything less than $150. Actron is a good alternative: http://www.actron.com/product_category.php?id=249

See attached for OBD-II to OBD-I converter. I have the pin chart for each component (ABS, ECS, Seats, instrument cluster, etc...) but they are somewhere in the abyss of my PC.


JPN

 

JPN: Will this help?

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-850-16/need-help-using-home-made-obd-2-code-reader-26850/

 

For whatever the reason, the past pics have been converted into some mysterious letters/codes

And I could only find the first page, and I believe the rest of the pages had the pin chart but I'm not sure. See attached pic.

No wonder I've been getting more gray hair lately


JPN

 

JPN: Do you have a chart of pins for SRS, ABS, and Transm?

p.s. I think Transm is pin 9, but I am not sure. In my V90 (Motronic 4.4) ABS is pin 12, but I am not sure of Motronic 4.3 (850).

 

After approx 50-min research, I was unable to find a chart for Volvo's DTC SAE J1962 pin config. However, the following Wiki page has a generic chart, and those "blank" pins are used by each MFG for different systems:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics

If there is no source available, the only way to find out which pin goes to what is to "fool" each system (unplug a sensor, etc...).

2.3L B5234Turbo (the alpha-numerical IDs are for OBD-I equivalent):
- Motronic 4.3 (EEC): Pin-3 (A2)
- Trans: Pin-7 (A6)
- A/C (ECC): Pin-6 (B1)
- SRS: Not shown (B5)
- ABS: Not shown (A3)
- Cruise CTRL: Pin-13 (B2)
- Seat: Not shown: Volvo Diagnostic unit has to be directly connected into the seat CTRL module (B6)
- Inst: Not shown (A7-VDO only)

The manual I have is of 1995 and does not cover 1996-1997. Certain '94 & '95 models use both OBD-I & II (e.g., 1994 T5), and I believe a diagram for '96 & '97 would show the pins for the items I could not find in my manual.

I hope this is of some use.


JPN