Frequently Asked Questions - Volvo

Due to the complexity of the application and the huge variation in systems fitted to these vehicles, there will be occasions when you may not be able to communicate with a vehicle. When this happens we really need your feedback to help us identify these problems. Below is a list of the information that would really help us identify and fix these problems:-

1. Software details - We need to know what version of the application you are using (found on the main Select Application menu) as well as the version of the Slave (found on the MT-Pro Menu).
2. Vehicle details - Model, Model Year, Engine Code and most important the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as this helps us to correctly identify the vehicle.
3. System details - The system you are attempting to connect to. If the application does connect, it will display the ECU Identifier (usually 8 digits and 3 characters displayed within brackets). Sometimes it will also display an ECUDIAGID number (2 - 4 digits). These details tell us what the system is on the car.
4. Error messages - When the application fails, it will display various message boxes informing the user of an error. However, if the DEBUG mode is turned on there is may well be an additional message box displayed with the text "Invalid CAN response received!". Under this text will be a line of (hex) numbers in brackets, i.e. (0 DE 80 6B) These will be very useful in allowing us to identify what went wrong.

Some of the systems fitted to Volvo require particular sequence of operations to erase DTCs. For example some EMS (Engine Management System) require the ignition to be cycled OFF then ON again before they will erase, like wise the DTCs may not set unless the engine has been running for some time.

Some Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) systems will not set a DTC unless the vehicle has been driven above 5Km/h and then checked without the ignition being turned off. Also, some other ABS systems will not turn the warning light off until the car has been driven above 40 Km/h and assuming that no new DTCs have been set.

It should also not be forgotten that if a fault code status is displayed as "Permanent" the fault needs to be rectified before it can be erased. You will know when the fault has been rectified or "gone away" as the status will change to "Intermittent". This is applies to all systems, especially Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS).

Finally, it has been noted that some variants of the control modules require a specific erase sequence to be performed by the tester which is not happening. These variants are currently being investigated and further improvements will be made within the very near future.

Under correct use, the Volvo application will very rarely return unknown DTCs to the user. However, there is a situation when the user may experience this. This may happen when the ECU cannot be recognised from the identifier code returned when queried. This can happen when an ECU has been updated with later software by the dealer. When this happens the Volvo application can't identify it correctly so has to rely on the information entered by the user, i.e. the model, model year and system. It is quite possible for the model year selected to be incorrect. Therefore, it is always useful to try accessing the system using the model year either side of the one originally selected. Should the user still experience the same unknown DTC then please contact Autodiagnos supplying the full vehicle details including VIN, the ECU identifier string, ECUDIAG code (if displayed) and the unknown DTC number so this can be investigated.

The Volvo 'Dongle' is an extra piece of hardware that connects between the Multi-Cable and CAN1 cable and enables correct 'signal routing' required for Low Speed CAN systems. The dongle (part number A0192- is silver in colour and approximately 50mm X 25mm in size.