Diagnostic software for Volvos

cinergi · Apr 15, 2014

Hello,

I have a DCAN cable that I use for diagnostics and coding on my BMW; it plugs into the OBD 2 port and has a standard USB interface on the other end. There is BMW software available including NCS Expert, INPA, etc.

Is there similar software available for the XC90 for use with a DCAN cable, or is the only option VIDA with a DICE interface ($$$)?

Thanks
cinergi

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mf70 · Apr 15, 2014

AFIK, it's DiCE or nothing. Now, before you get all $$$'ey, remember that Chinese clone DiCE units are around $100, plus or minus, with air freight included. That is about what you would pay for a single dealer "read" of the engine codes. For that money, you get Volvo's do-everything expert systems software as well as the ability to monitor and adjust anything that doesn't need to be registered or recorded at Volvo Central (AKA software downloads).

Apparently VIDA will also communicate with vehicles using the J2534 standards, but the cost of entry into the J2534 world is ten to twenty times higher.

NickA · Apr 15, 2014

mf70 said:
AFIK, it's DiCE or nothing. Now, before you get all $$$'ey, remember that Chinese clone DiCE units are around $100, plus or minus, with air freight included. That is about what you would pay for a single dealer "read" of the engine codes. For that money, you get Volvo's do-everything expert systems software as well as the ability to monitor and adjust anything that doesn't need to be registered or recorded at Volvo Central (AKA software downloads).

Apparently VIDA will also communicate with vehicles using the J2534 standards, but the cost of entry into the J2534 world is ten to twenty times higher.

I've heard good and bad things about the Chinese clones, and see a bunch on eBay. Is there any particular one that you would say is better than the other?

itwontstopsnowin · Apr 16, 2014

I've been using a chinese DICE for about 2 years without issue. It works great and does everything except software downloads (for obvious reasons).

cinergi · Apr 16, 2014

Hmm... Good to know! Thanks. I had assumed the Chinese clones were all unreliable. In the BMW world, the Chinese clones of the ICOM interface all seem to have various issues.

cinergi

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garbergtsi · Apr 16, 2014

They are unreliable but some people get lucky.

There are plenty of aftermarket tools that will do the same as a hacked dice but you wont like the price...

Warpedcow · Apr 17, 2014

cinergi said:
Hmm... Good to know! Thanks. I had assumed the Chinese clones were all unreliable. In the BMW world, the Chinese clones of the ICOM interface all seem to have various issues.

Get a Chinese clone DICE from AliExpress.com not Ebay. I know lots of people that bought duds from Ebay but everyone I know that got one from a highly rated seller on AliExpress got a working one. Mine has been great for 3+ years now.

pdchemist15 · Apr 19, 2014

Warpedcow said:
Get a Chinese clone DICE from AliExpress.com not Ebay. I know lots of people that bought duds from Ebay but everyone I know that got one from a highly rated seller on AliExpress got a working one. Mine has been great for 3+ years now.

I can conform dud from ebay. I did manage to get 95% of my money back after filing a claim. I eventually found through a couple of people posting in forums a reliable source from Ali .

Send me a PM and I'll give you the name of the company and a contact name that the post suggested. Worked really great for me. I would just post here but I don't know if that is allowed or not.

pdchemist15 · Apr 19, 2014

Couldn't figure out how to edit my post. Anyhoo I searched the company and found the forum post what lead me to where I purchased. I think it's ok to link to post within swedespeed.

Here is a link of how I found my unit. I went with Yolanda at Shenzhen.

http://forums.swedespeed.com/showth...DICE-units-from-China-(non-OEM)-lastest-builds-brief-summary-of-three-suppliers

cinergi · Apr 19, 2014

Cool, thanks, I will check out that link.

What about software - VIDA or something else?

cinergi

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Warpedcow · Apr 20, 2014

cinergi said:
Cool, thanks, I will check out that link.

What about software - VIDA or something else?

cinergi

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VIDA is the only option. It can be tricky to get working so get it installed before you order a DICE unit.

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Diagnostic software for Volvos

cinergi

mf70

NickA

itwontstopsnowin

cinergi

garbergtsi

Warpedcow

pdchemist15

pdchemist15

cinergi

Warpedcow

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