Howdy, all. I have a 2004 XC90 that is giving me fits. I keep seeing people saying "get a VIDA reader" for the proprietary Volvo haunted electricals. OK. I'm game. Which one are we using that actually works with these beasties?. There are oodles of them that claim to work with Volvo but we know how that is. Thanks in advance

 

Your best choice - is the easily found for free stolen/hacked to work subscription free 2014d version of VIDA. That was the last version produced on DVD. Works with cars through 2015. That software was designed to work only with Win7 pro, and IE9, but others have made it work with Win10.

Combine that software with a DICE unit or other compatible interface - and you will be able to use the factory diagnostics, repair procedures, parts catalog, wiring diagrams and basic service info.

volvodiag.com might have a copy, as well as many others ----

 

OK, I'm lost. What does a windows program have to do with a plug-it-into-the-OBD II code reader?

 

Unfortunately - or maybe not - to fix modern cars requires a bunch of info - and that info might not be stored in your basic code reader.

VIDA is the factory diagnostic/service procedures/parts catalog/wiring diagrams/anything else you might need to work on/diagnose your car. And IMHO it is the best choice for an owner trying to work on their Volvo. The Factory stolen/hacked service manual known as VIDA 2014d is easily found for free on the internet and covers cars thru 2015. You can also purchase a subscription to VIDA at volvotechinfo.com

Once that software is installed on your CPU (it was designed and originally required WIN 7 pro and IE9) you will have all the info that you need to diagnose/service/repair your car. In addition to that software (that you have installed on your cpu) you will need an interface between your car and your computer. Usually that is a DICE unit. There are alternatives - j2534 or others that can plug between your obd2 port and your cpu to communicate with the car.

Certainly you can purchase a stand alone scan tool that can read and erase code for xx dollars. And with that you can read codes and guess what those mean and guess what you could do to solve them.

Read the codes with VIDA and Vida will have suggestions about what could be causing those codes - with links to click that lead you to diagnostic procedures to figure out what the real problem is rather than guessing.

 

Thank you for explaining that. I was thinking that it would be something like most of the other OBD II readers, like the ones that they sell on EBay that supposedly work with Volvos, the kind that you plug & play. I had no clue that it would have to be fed into a laptop rather than just being a hand-held like the others. I' might be in trouble. I think I'm running something like Windoze 2000

 

I bought an "Auto Diagnostic Scanner iCarsoft VOL V2.0" from Amazon. It's actually quite good. It helped me figure out exactly what the problems were (there were 2) with the anti-skid error and I fixed both. Now the car is running absolutely perfect. I understand that a VIDA/DICE may be better but based on what I tried with this handheld device, I feel it's probably all I need. Here is the link if you want to try it. You can return it anyway, lol. https://amzn.to/3xZ6SaV

 

I have an 2011 xc 90 will not start but cranks.. died in mid highway drive..
Thought it was fuel pump.
new pump, new module, also replaced while under the hood the coils, plugs and fuel rail modulator..
atill will not fire up.
codes say ecm, ecu, sien alarm, possable immobilizer??
Help please
When I try to locate new or used ECM can't find one for that year with 3.2 six engine

regards,
XCBill

 

Most major control units in a Volvo are "coded" to the VIN. Meaning used control units are not plug and play, and WILL NOT WORK in a different car. The Volvo software VIDA (with a VIDA subscription) is used to "program" a NEW control unit to work with a car.. VIDA can't make USED control units work in a different car. A company such as xemodex can "reprogram" some used control units to work in a different car.
I'm certain a NEW control unit is available - however if you google 36000787 you will find a list price of about $1869.00. (plus labor and programming) Not something you would want to guess at replacing.

Compression? Fuel pressure? spark at the right time?

Rather than randomly replacing more parts (and getting more frustrated by spending $$$ on stuff you don't need ) You might want to seek professional help.