I am brand new to this forum and so far I have enjoyed the information I have found here. I was wondering, how do I activate trip computer on a 1998 S70? I have read several posts on this forum and have talked to two different Volvo dealerships and nobody seems to know the definitive answer. I hope somebody can help me.

I know all S70's are pre wired and have the correct display inside the cluster....also, the 1998 S70 cannot receive software downloads. I called one dealership and was told by a master tech that all I had to do was buy the switch and the trip computer would just activate.....Well, that did not happen. I then called another dealership and was told it was not possible to activate it, but I demanded he call Volvo tech support and get an answer(he resisted because the dealership has to pay to call them) He had to talk to several people there and finally one guy gave him three codes that would have to be inputted into my car via the OBDII port. He was not sure that this would even work, but he said I could come in and try it....of course if it does not work, he would still charge me for the job......

So you see, I am at a loss and don't know what to do now. If anybody knows the answer, please let me know. Thank you so very much....

 

First welcome to the forum!

There are many posts on here about this. Somewhere around here its been comfrimed that the dealership can and will do a trip computer activation. I have researched this as well. The switch alone will not do it you must go to the stealership and have them activate it. I am currently going to try another method and I will report when I am finished.

but as of now, it the stealership or another kind of gauge cluster.

 

Thanks, I would like to hear what you find out!

 

It can, in fact be done on a 1998 S70. I had it done on mine- I got the switch from a salvage yard car, installed it, and then contacted the dealer. They happily programmed it and 2 key fobs for me, and charged just 1/2 hour labor for the whole thing. The other local dealer told me they "would have to get the car's PIN, which costs $200!" I reminded them that the 1998 doesn't require the PIN for that stuff... but he insisted it did.

 

Well the 98's do use a Pin Number to access the VGLA unit but it does not cost anything to get the Pin number.

All they have to do is punch the Vin# into the system and check the Vehicle info and the Pin # is right there. It is in the same screen as the Radio code. That is on the main Volvo system not the Dealers system.

Then it is programmed through the hand held scanner.

Lately the Dealers say it needs software for the 98's then the download and the program.

The hand held is how it is programmed.

 

Thanks guys! You ROCK! I will go to the dealership and get it done.....best volvo forum around!

 

Oh, right... THAT is what the one dealer told me... that they had to download the software to do it, and that was why it cost so much, which I know is the case with 99 and 00...
Anyhow... I got it done relatively cheap at a different local dealer.

 

Glad you got it done cheap. I tell customers the same thing all the time about the trip computer and remotes on 98 cars.

What is really funny the shop I work at now has an Autodiagnose scanner.
It is actually the OEM hand held scanner. They make it for Volvo.

So we can do the stuff at work if we have the Pin #.

 

Will the dealership give you the pin #? I can't imagine they would give anything away for free...lol...thanks

 

Well one way around it is if you can have them run it(Cars history) on Volvo's system and print it out for you they will not realize they gave it to you.

 

Thanks Tech! You are just an amazing wealth of knowledge! I wish I still lived in Orlando, I would so take my car to you....thanks again!

 

I must say that some stealers are serious about making a buck in every way possible. They don't believe that giving good customer service is the key so they take every opportunity to jack you for money. It's the same in many fields I guess.

I try to stay away from the stealer here. They charge more for parts than other stealers in other towns and they will make the task of activating your trip computer sound like it has to be shipped to tim-buck-to to have it done so they can charge $350 instead of $75 at another stealer. It really sucks.

I actually get all of my stealer parts from NC. It saves me about 30% to 50%. They also give me tips that the local stealer tells me I can not do, has to be done there.

I purchased a Scangage II for my cars that do not have the trip computer. It was cheaper than having the thing programmed for $350 and I can use it in other vehicles. My 960 does not have a triip computer.

 

Tech,
I got the dealership in Ocala to print the history report on my car and fax it to me..... Is the pin# I need the VGLA "locktype" pin? What can I do with the pin number now? Thanks

 

Yes that is the one. Now you need to find someone that has a Volvo hand held scanner then they can use the code and turn the function on.

 

Thanks again Tech..... I think Richards Imports here in Gainesville has one

 

If not and you happed to travel to Orlando soon and it is a week day you could stop buy and it should be cheap to have us do it.

 

Thanks Tech, I just got your message. I will let you know if I need to schedule an appointment.

 

hello
i have been following the thread on programming trip computers. i have a 1998 v 70 glt and when my mechanic runs the diagnostic and gets to no. 5- it says trip computer=no (programmed only to display outside temperature). I have bought and installed a function switch and know the locktype PIN. Is this enough information to program the trip computer for all functions or will i need something else? thanks for your help

 

You can not do it yourself. A dealer or experienced shop will have to do it for you.

 

I got 98 s70 glt and wanted my to be activated so went to stealership and asked if they can do it for me but the mechanic didnt know what i was talking about so im gonna try it again when i go back to pa, because we dont have volvo stealerships here.