The dash of my V70-2003 did not wake-up last day. It came back hardly for 2 or 3 times and then just stopped working. So no odometer, not a big deal I have a GPS, BUT no temp sensor and no oil level which is kind of hard to manage! New dash is too expensive, should I replace it by a used one? Any testimonial or recommendation would be appreciated.

 

Ah yes. This happened to me. The display unit as a whole is called a "DIM". If you search, there are a good handful of threads on its failure and what to do. From what I read, the OEM replacements are only as good as what just failed, so that's a poor solution compared to having yours fixed. I think it's a few hundred to send it off to some place up in the northeast to have them resolder some (or all?) connections. A buddy of mine went at it with his solder gun and was able to resuscitate half of the display. Only the gas gauge (low gas light still works) and the speedometer no longer work. Oh, and the trip odometer has a mind of its own. Also, you'll be happy to hear that I found out my odometer kept recording when it when the sun hit it just right and I saw a higher mileage reading than it showed when it failed, so that was still being tracked, and probably is on yours.

What I've done? Bought a and downloaded the Torque App, https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.torque&hl=en, for my Android. It will tell you everything your dash used to, and then some. Seriously, it's a wealth of data. It’s customizable, so I can make it tell me what my half-working dashboard is supposed to tell me, or I can provide live-time data on fuel trim, O2 sensor data, throttle position (useful since nothing is cable actuated anymore), timing, intake temperature, trans temperature, coolant temperature, MAF readings, boost/vacuum, fuel cost/flow, instant/average mpg, open/closed loop status, etc, etc, etc. I can read and clear codes as well, with an automatic lookup online to get more info. Different 'screens' allow me to flip between information as I want.

And the fun stuff: 1/8 and ¼ mile times and speeds, estimated torque and hp (uses vehicle weight and accelerometer data). Apparently my car has 153 ft/lb and 133 hp (at the wheels), but 85 degrees and humid doesn’t help those numbers.

 

Thanks, I found that a company Xemodex (xemodex.com) provides repair service for this kind of DIM. I have to investigate more since there is no repair shop close to my location.
In the mean time, I will switch for your option. One question ... do you keep your ODB2 plugged permanently and you have a real-time control on whatever you want (Temp., Speed and Fuel level) or do you consult your info time to time?

 

I keep it plugged in all the time. When I get in the car I just turn on bluetooth, mount my phone, and open the app. The app is set to open right to my preferred 'dashboard' screen so I get tach (large dial), speed (digital numerical, via vehicle computer), Gas remaining (bar graph), Timing deg (digital numerical), and throttle input (digital numerical). It's nerdy, I know.

You can set up other screens that you can 'swipe' between that give real-time info.

Keep in mind that the OBDII sender I bought only works on Android, and so does the app. if you are an iPhone user, there are other similar solutions, though I've never used them and can't speak to the cost/customization/ease of use/etc.

 

Yes, I already downloaded the app on my android. This is the free one for now just to evaluate but I will surely switch to the paying version. Regarding the OBD2 scan tool, it will take about a month to come unless I pay something like 60$ for a one-week shipping, I am frustrated. I am impatient to receive it.
Thanks to you testimonial, it is very precious to me. I will get back to you when all is set.
On the other hand, I decided to have my DIM repaired because ny wife does not seem as excited as I ham driving with an android dash.

 

a month!!! Amazon had it to me in the states in 4 days! Is it customs that holds it up?

 

OK, I got my OBD2 bluetooth scan tool two week ago but just set ti up last week-end. I can hardly connect my android/torque to it. No problem paring the device and the cellphone. But when the torque app tries to connect, it fails most of the time when it sets the protocol. It asks for the pin once more and starts again. When it connects, it is exactly what I expected ... I am way back and must learn how to use it. Btw, I am using the torque lite and I do hesitate to switch to pro version.