General: - VagCat Alternative for Volvo?

Funky Diver · Jan 28th, 2013, 00:37

So Hi

I've moved over from VW (specifically Mk2 Scirocco's) and needed a family bus... liked the look of the XC90 so went for it.

Now I appreciate that a lot of forums tend to "be there" when folks have a moan or a problem, however, I've already gleaned a load of useful info from this here place already...

I am, however, a tinkerer... and don't mind getting my hands dirty...

So anyways, there's an excellent resource for VW's called VagCat. It's basically an online parts catalogue for pretty much every VW made - with a few exceptions and you sometimes need to use your imagination. It comes in REALLY handy for finding part numbers, etc if you ever need to do work... along with exploded views of "stuff" and the like.

Is there such a thing for Volvo I wonder? Specifically the XC90... but in general would be cool.

VW dealers use Etka - their parts catalogue and obviously autodata for servicing stuff... again, both very powerful tools.

I'm still feeling my way here and getting to grips with stuff. Ultimately, I'd rather bash a spanner for 3 hours than pay a dealer to do work I'm perfectly capable of myself, so any help with that would be appreciated!

Cheers,
Rich

SonyVaio · Jan 28th, 2013, 00:50

What your looking for is VIDA and DICE.

DICE is a piece of hardware that connects to the ODB2 port and talks to the vehicle and can read off all codes. So basically a code reader but it speaks proper Volvo, MOST generic code readers do not get the correct codes and cannot resert Volvo SRS stuff.

VIDA is the software application that loads onto a laptop or desktop (but preferably laptop (to use with dice)). VIDA is the parts catalogue as well as workshop manual, the only thing you can't do is software updates - this requires a subscription to Volvo's servers in Sweden and is V expensive (but possible!). You would use both VIDA and DICE in conjunction to talk to your car and change settings, read codes, reset codes and other general fault finding.

You can pick a DICE unit up on ebay for approx £100 and normally comes with a copy of VIDA. Well worth a purchase if keeping the car long term. A single visit to a dealer just to read codes will be approx. £45 - £60 with the norm for a simple diagnostic coming in at £90.

HTH

Funky Diver · Jan 28th, 2013, 07:14

That's awesome, thank you for your help

Jan 28th, 2013, 00:37	#1
Funky Diver FD Last Online: Aug 23rd, 2023 22:44 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Darlington	VagCat Alternative for Volvo? So Hi I've moved over from VW (specifically Mk2 Scirocco's) and needed a family bus... liked the look of the XC90 so went for it. Now I appreciate that a lot of forums tend to "be there" when folks have a moan or a problem, however, I've already gleaned a load of useful info from this here place already... I am, however, a tinkerer... and don't mind getting my hands dirty... So anyways, there's an excellent resource for VW's called VagCat. It's basically an online parts catalogue for pretty much every VW made - with a few exceptions and you sometimes need to use your imagination. It comes in REALLY handy for finding part numbers, etc if you ever need to do work... along with exploded views of "stuff" and the like. Is there such a thing for Volvo I wonder? Specifically the XC90... but in general would be cool. VW dealers use Etka - their parts catalogue and obviously autodata for servicing stuff... again, both very powerful tools. I'm still feeling my way here and getting to grips with stuff. Ultimately, I'd rather bash a spanner for 3 hours than pay a dealer to do work I'm perfectly capable of myself, so any help with that would be appreciated! Cheers, Rich

Jan 28th, 2013, 00:50	#2
SonyVaio VOC Member Last Online: Feb 26th, 2016 19:58 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Exmouth	What your looking for is VIDA and DICE. DICE is a piece of hardware that connects to the ODB2 port and talks to the vehicle and can read off all codes. So basically a code reader but it speaks proper Volvo, MOST generic code readers do not get the correct codes and cannot resert Volvo SRS stuff. VIDA is the software application that loads onto a laptop or desktop (but preferably laptop (to use with dice)). VIDA is the parts catalogue as well as workshop manual, the only thing you can't do is software updates - this requires a subscription to Volvo's servers in Sweden and is V expensive (but possible!). You would use both VIDA and DICE in conjunction to talk to your car and change settings, read codes, reset codes and other general fault finding. You can pick a DICE unit up on ebay for approx £100 and normally comes with a copy of VIDA. Well worth a purchase if keeping the car long term. A single visit to a dealer just to read codes will be approx. £45 - £60 with the norm for a simple diagnostic coming in at £90. HTH

Jan 28th, 2013, 07:14	#3
Funky Diver FD Last Online: Aug 23rd, 2023 22:44 Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Darlington	That's awesome, thank you for your help

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