Best fault code reader

[stimperley]

Hi All - I've done a couple of searches on here but not found much yet. What fault code reader would anyone recommend for a 2008 XC70 (and VW also ideally...). Must include ABS faults, be reasonably priced.
Thanks, Simon

[V70Zig]

Originally Posted by stimperley

Hi All - I've done a couple of searches on here but not found much yet. What fault code reader would anyone recommend for a 2008 XC70 (and VW also ideally...). Must include ABS faults, be reasonably priced.
Thanks, Simon

Vida (which is the software run on a laptop) and a dice or vxdiag which act as the communication tool to the car........but it's specific to Volvo.

Check out Icarsoft as they do have diagnostics tools that cover more than one make.

Depends on what you refer to as a reasonable price to pay as these units soon pay for themselves.......

[RichT4]

I Second that, I'm looking to save for a VIDA setup, as no one local to me has it anyway.
I have your standard OBD reader plug in, which reads and clears codes, but does not clear things like airbag service etc...

I got quoted £270 for the full setup, which entails having a new laptop, cable and software loaded onto it.

It'll be worth every penny.

[Tatsfield]

£270 sounds a little high if you can be a little adventurous as the VIDA/DiCE software and cable come in at around £50 and the laptop needed to run it only has to be of Win7 standard. I bought a Lenovo T420 ThinkPad with an SSD upgrade for £110 a couple of years ago to exclusively run VIDA and I suspect that such a machine would be cheaper today. All that you are left with is mastering loading the software so that it runs. Shopping around, you could certainly do better than £270 but even at that price it's a worthwhile investment as diagnostic charges at a Volvo dealership are usually around £70 for half an hour.

[Model flyer]

Yes do look around as laptops that can easily manage what you want are available very cheaply .I was given one for free after speaking to a friend . His company were upgrading and all the old stuff was being scrapped . Once you have loaded your Vida and set it up don't connect to the internet as all sorts of dodgy stuff can get on and mess with the program

[V70Zig]

Too late to edit my earlier post so here's another re Vida........

Not only does it do diagnostics, if you double click on the fault it will open another window and tell you what are the possible fixes for your issue.

There are sections for repair, removal and installation, parts catalogue with Volvo numbers and so on....like live communication with the car and activation's of certain components, torque settings etc etc........

It's Haynes on heat.....it's what the main dealers use, and I'm still learning how to use it.....

[green van man]

I have vida dice but as that is volvo only was looking for something to cover non volvo family cars.

Had an outstanding deal from my local snap on man and picked up a tech ethos for just over half price. List is £1500+vat, it's now my carry in car devise.

Paul.

[V70Zig]

Originally Posted by green van man

I have vida dice but as that is volvo only was looking for something to cover non volvo family cars.

Had an outstanding deal from my local snap on man and picked up a tech ethos for just over half price. List is £1500+vat, it's now my carry in car devise.

Paul.

Now that looks the dogs........even at half price I'd wince. Suppose it depends on how many car's and different manufacture's you have left in your tank..... Mine hopefully should, without too much trouble see me out to retirement then it's another Volvo for me.........then it's ha ha ha.

[Stu B]

Originally Posted by V70Zig

Now that looks the dogs........even at half price I'd wince. Suppose it depends on how many car's and different manufacture's you have left in your tank..... Mine hopefully should, without too much trouble see me out to retirement then it's another Volvo for me.........then it's ha ha ha.

Hi V70Zig, I don't want to derail the thread but notice your sig shows you have a similar car to me but have had the Polestar optimisation which I'm also considering. Would you recommend it on a 185 auto? Does it make a worthwhile difference to performance assuming the car is otherwise healthy beforehand?

Cheers, Stu

[V70Zig]

Originally Posted by Stu B

Hi V70Zig, I don't want to derail the thread but notice your sig shows you have a similar car to me but have had the Polestar optimisation which I'm also considering. Would you recommend it on a 185 auto? Does it make a worthwhile difference to performance assuming the car is otherwise healthy beforehand?

Cheers, Stu

Works good for me......check with your dealer though as if your not happy they will remove it and refund..not sure if it's the whole amount though and you should get 2 weeks to decide from when they do the upgrade.