VolvoTech CFE Canbus feature extender review.

[harveys]

Originally Posted by barrybritcher

It has arrived. Had a quick play. Very disappointed with the CFE plus. Nothing works very well or consistently. Can't get the dim info to display. Welcome message doesn't work.

You sure it's set up correctly , also tick boxes in each section and summer/winter set ?.

[SwissXC90]

Remember the Welcome Message works only on a Cold Boot, not a Warm Boot of the vehicle

By Cold Boot I mean the vehicle has to be completely shut , with all devices and the can bus asleep.
This occurs after you close and lock the car and wait about 10 minutes.

[barrybritcher]

nice one that does help for the future RE cold boot, I've put the Beta firmware on as suggested on other posts which has fixed it for other people.

I have also unticked a few of the information boxes (maybe theres a max limit on the amount of boxes you can have ticked for DIM)

At work now so will play with it tomorrow.

[cpu_man]

Hi guys, this is something of intrest to me however after reading though this it seems you have to keep this plugged in to the OBD port full time, I take it once removed your coding is lost??

is this right?

If so is there another option for a permanent code??

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by cpu_man

Hi guys, this is something of intrest to me however after reading though this it seems you have to keep this plugged in to the OBD port full time, I take it once removed your coding is lost??

is this right?

If so is there another option for a permanent code??

The CFE doesn't "code" anything
It is a microprocessor that listens to the databus and then sends instructions down the databus to the devices it wants to talk to.

It actually uses the diagnostic test functions that exist in most devices to activate what it wants to activate.

So yes, it needs to stay connected to work all the time.

[noddycat]

Apropos of not much, just noticed Volvotech have a 20% Black Friday discount on the Canbus Plus until the end of today (24th Nov) in case anyone's thinking of getting one.

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by noddycat

Apropos of not much, just noticed Volvotech have a 20% Black Friday discount on the Canbus Plus until the end of today (24th Nov) in case anyone's thinking of getting one.

Update: Today is the 25th and the discount still applies.... so go shopping

[cpu_man]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

The CFE doesn't "code" anything
It is a microprocessor that listens to the databus and then sends instructions down the databus to the devices it wants to talk to.

It actually uses the diagnostic test functions that exist in most devices to activate what it wants to activate.

So yes, it needs to stay connected to work all the time.

So is there any coding options out there for the xc90 that's in use??

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by cpu_man

So is there any coding options out there for the xc90 that's in use??

Yes, there are a few.

I have gone through many options in my car

With VIDA you can do some minor things like alter the delay time on the interior lights, set the auto-lock, adjust units of measure (°F, °C, km, miles), set the temperature distribution for the REST heater, alter the DRL settings, and some other stuff.

With VIDA, you can also load new software versions such as changing the dash language, adding the REST heater (which I did), adding the Parking Heater (which I also did), and a ton of other things.
HOWEVER due to the encryption methods used, and the commercial policies of Volvo, all of these options are available as "parts" to purchase, and can only be installed by a dealer or other garage with fully licenced VIDA subscription.

Yes, I have read of Russians that have hacked the CEM and DIM and loaded new software and DIM languages and altered the available options.
But that requires removing the instrument cluster and CEM, accessing the EEPROMs directly to read out the code, then decoding the stored pin number, and writng it back to the EEPROM. They don't release how they do that to the Internet.

I paid real money to enable the parking heater (about 200 GBP) and the residual heat heater (around 75 GBP), and I do actively use them in winter, such as today. I don't regret having spent the money.
Note that those options have a prerequsite of having the fuel-driven auxiliary heater fitted, which my D5 diesel had ex factory.

[cpu_man]

Originally Posted by SwissXC90

Yes, there are a few.

I have gone through many options in my car

With VIDA you can do some minor things like alter the delay time on the interior lights, set the auto-lock, adjust units of measure (°F, °C, km, miles), set the temperature distribution for the REST heater, alter the DRL settings, and some other stuff.

With VIDA, you can also load new software versions such as changing the dash language, adding the REST heater (which I did), adding the Parking Heater (which I also did), and a ton of other things.
HOWEVER due to the encryption methods used, and the commercial policies of Volvo, all of these options are available as "parts" to purchase, and can only be installed by a dealer or other garage with fully licenced VIDA subscription.

Yes, I have read of Russians that have hacked the CEM and DIM and loaded new software and DIM languages and altered the available options.
But that requires removing the instrument cluster and CEM, accessing the EEPROMs directly to read out the code, then decoding the stored pin number, and writng it back to the EEPROM. They don't release how they do that to the Internet.

I paid real money to enable the parking heater (about 200 GBP) and the residual heat heater (around 75 GBP), and I do actively use them in winter, such as today. I don't regret having spent the money.
Note that those options have a prerequsite of having the fuel-driven auxiliary heater fitted, which my D5 diesel had ex factory.

The main things I am looking to change is:

1. When I lock the car the mirrors fold by them self rather than me having to push a button each time.

2. dip the mirror on reverse.

3. Beep when I lock the car.

Anything that can do this, not sure VIDA can?