Do these diagnostic tools do everything you need to do on our Volvo cars?
This is the one I'm thinking of buying from eBay
2014D Vida Dice OBD2 EOBD Diagnostic Scan Tool For Volvo Vehicle 1999-2015.3 UK | eBay

Thoughts, opinions and advise would be very much appreciated!

 

Its an illegal copy of what we use at the dealership. It cannot perform software downloads but it can do the rest.

 

I am not sure about the legality of these devices but they are all over ebay and Amazon and other places. Some of the devices out there apparently don't have the full circuitry and can't do downloads. I have heard some reports that folks have been able to do software downloads but I can't confirm. It is nice to be able to read the non-standard codes. I was able to diagnose my Air Bag (SRS) light on which was due to a corroded wire that Volvo service repaired years ago.

 

None can do downloads. It isn't a matter of circuitry. It's a matter of having a legal subscription to allow software downloads.

 

how much more info would I get with this than using a regular bluetooth OBDII reader and android Torque Pro app?

 

Probably a lot. I doubt the generic reader can read all modules. It also contains repair instructions for everything. It's what we use at the dealer

 

wow, I might have to get one. It seems I'm to be driving an older S40 for the foreseeable future, and it's shown a penchant for odd problems. I don't have time nor $ to take it to the dealer every time something strange happens, and the OBDII reader has been invaluable but still leaves me to do a lot of guessing.

 

Checking the SRS code is one great example. I'll give another. Using the DiCE tool together with VIDA I found an error code stored in the Climate Control Module. VIDA showed me all the computer modules giving inputs to the ecm, not just the sensors, and I could clearly see a module in red. When I clicked on the icon it showed me the error code which I was able to clear.

The one thing it cannot do is program a new ignition key. The reason is obvious if you think about what a thief could do with this in hand. This is where the software download is used and we are out of luck. My understanding was that you could purchase a 3 day subscription at one time. This being for independent shops. Rumor has it now it's not possible.

 

On my son's '01 S40, VIDA showed an issue with the climate control damper that we had not noticed because, being summer, the temperature was always set cold. Move the control to warm and no joy.

As you drill down through the info, VIDA shows where the part is located, possible causes and walks you through troubleshooting. It also gives part numbers.

Through the Volvo Book Store (https://www.volvotechinfo.com/) you (the owner) can legally purchase temporary subscriptions to VIDA. You can also purchase service bulletins and other info.

 

yeah, I've got some problems with the dampers in my car too. Before I bought it, I found the air flow through the vents would shut off completely when I accelerated hard, no matter how high the fan was set, and then when I got off the gas after a few moments it would come roaring back. I told the dealer (a Mini dealership) I wouldn't buy it unless that was fixed, and eventually they sent it over to the Volvo dealer in the same auto mall, and said they adjusted some of the air damper settings. Sure enough, I couldn't make the problem happen again no matter how hard I tried so I bought the car.

Since then though I've noticed the problem still happens to a far lesser extent; sometimes with the air blasting supposedly just on the middle vents, I don't feel as much air as I should and sometimes feel it at my feet with the lower vents supposedly off. Usually I can get the air back to the middle vents by directing it up to the windows for a moment and then back to the middle vents again. So I guess with that tool and some willingness to experiment, I could tweak the dampers again. I sure as heck can't afford to have the dealer look at it.