ODB2 Readers

[Dazman]

Thinking of getting a ODB2 code reader as I have two 1996 850's and it costs me £35+ VAT at the dealers whenever I have problems with check engine warning light.

I'm quite mechanically minded so I do quite a few repairs myself but I have to resort to the dealers to tell me what the problem is in the first place.

Has anyone had any experience of such things and can recommend any particular makes.

I've been looking at the Innova 3100 and have found one for £95 http://www.ipdusa.com/ProductsCat.as...035&RootID=629

Cheers

Daz

[cootuk]

What engines as some aren't really OBD-II compliant and don't need an expensive code reader?
Some of the ecu however do allow you to also access real-time data as well as error codes.

[bigandquick]

Be careful. My '97 850 T5 has an OBDII socket, which turns out to be only a glorified connector for a flash code reader.

[sholtby]

Early cars have a flashing LED on the diagnostic port behind the drivers headlight.
Later ones (about your age) have an OBD2 socket that isnt OBD2 compliant but can be read using something like an LED and resistor. I cant remember how this is done.
Even later cars have the full OBD2 port.

FCP Groton do a reader and their postage costs are very reasonable. If you complete the order form it will tell you the postage cost.

http://www.fcpgroton.com/volvocodereader.htm

Simon

You want to be careful as some of the readers that work on the American models will not work on the european models.
There are plenty english ones available on ebay for the 850.

[Chris_Rogers]

Have a look through this thread:

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/dc/dcboa...ng_type=search


There is only one 850 model supplied in the UK which is OBDII compliant and that is the 2.5 20 NA model with Motronic 4.4 engine ECU.

Bare in mind that OBDII only covers engine and some limited auto gearbox diagnostics.

This software will cover everything including resetting the service light:

http://www.onboarddiagnostics.co.uk/volfcr/index.htm

[elvispriceley]

Hi Daz,

I took the plunge due to dealer prices and read the e-bay feedback on the guy selling the code readers for 850's @ £55, ( you may obviously be looking at something a bit more advanced, I dont know). I have a 96 855T5 and this little unit, although as mentioned in earlier replies works basicaly on the same idea as the early under bonnet diagnostic set up and can be limited, seems to do what I want, i.e. 02 sensors+ engine, MAF etc. It will reset any horrible lights that can come on as well except the service light for which you need another reader (euro car parts). Hope this helps

Regards

Graham

[cootuk]

Isn't that just the LED/resistor device that we talked about above, but in a pretty box. I bought the parts for a couple of quid from Maplin and would baulk at paying the £50+ they are asking.
Getting an OBD-II male connector is the hardest part of building it...

[GrahamB]

Can you please advise what is needed for the basic reader you describe above, also where you might obtain an OBD-II male connector? I have a 2000 V70 Classic 2.4 5244S for which the onboarddiagnostics kit is no good and I am looking for some basic means of obtaining info.
Thanks

[cootuk]

The OBD-II male sockets can be found here

http://www.andywhittaker.com/ecu/obdii_hardware.htm

A bit expesive at £10.50 for one, but makes it a lot easier for plugging in than just using flyleads with a metal tag.


The circuit description is found here

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/dc/dcboa..._id=3527&page=

To link it all together I used a large electrical strip connector rather than soldering.