Is there a cheap volvo fault code reader?

[dylan5084]

Digging up an old thread... Is the autell 702 still the best one to go for as I've just bought an xc90 on 03 plate n want to have the upper hand when it comes to fixing it!

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by dylan5084

Digging up an old thread... Is the autell 702 still the best one to go for as I've just bought an xc90 on 03 plate n want to have the upper hand when it comes to fixing it!

Have just bought an 53 plate XC90 myself and I got a £70 chinese DICE tool from ebay and downloaded a cracked version of VIDA 2014 A (the 2013D that came with the tool wouldn't work).

I can't see why you would want to get anything else as it reads all the codes, clears all faults and has all the technical docs and bulletins. The software can be tricky to get working and is does need a decent laptop but it's worth the effort.

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

I can't see why you would want to get anything else........... The software can be tricky to get working and is does need a decent laptop

You've answered your own statement.......and you missed out that it only works on a Volvo.
Dice plus a laptop is also not what you'd call compact so it's very easy to see why the multiple manufacturers, standalone readers are a popular alternative.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by cheshired5

You've answered your own statement.......and you missed out that it only works on a Volvo.
Dice plus a laptop is also not what you'd call compact so it's very easy to see why the multiple manufacturers, standalone readers are a popular alternative.

Yep I get all that but it is much more than just a fault code reader/reset tool - you get all the documentation and when reading sensors etc. you get far more information on a laptop screen than a hand held job.

Horses for courses etc....

[cheshired5]

Originally Posted by Tannaton

Yep I get all that but it is much more than just a fault code reader/reset tool - you get all the documentation and when reading sensors etc. you get far more information on a laptop screen than a hand held job.

Horses for courses etc....

The big selling point with Dice has always been the number of modules it can read compared with other plug and play devices. My Autel only does engine, SRS and abs plus live data, which has been more than enough so far.
However, if this http://www.newcastle-world.com/pages...02&p=94065.cfm is as good as it claims, then Dice has serious competition.
It's claimed the i906 can also read all modules and it's compact, portable and standalone. All for £90 and easily sourced. I'll be watching it with interest.

[Chesney46]

I use a Snap On Solus Pro. I didn't fork out the £2500 for a new one, I bought a second hand one for £750. Still expensive but as a mechanic I need to read different makes.
It reads engine management, ABS, transmission, CEM, SRS wheel alignment (?) and resets service lights. It has live data streaming and software to download information to a laptop and print out findings.
If you only want to read engine codes I downloaded an app and bought a bluetooth OBD plug from eBay. Not as accurate but the app was free and the bluetooth plug about £12. Most of the time it only gives the fault code as a number but a google search will throw up what it means.