OBDII Code Readers.

rd_volvo · 03-17-03, 01:08

My CEL light came on yesterday. I'd like to buy an OBDII scanner
from IPD [ Volvo specialists in OR ] to read codes and
maybe reset my CEL light. $ 179.

Anyone have experience and these affordable scanners
and do they like them?

ty

rd

thevolvoguy · 03-17-03, 02:10

rd -

What model do you drive? On 850's 93-95 and some early 96's, its possible to scan the codes manually.

Check out Volvospeed.com or Swedespeed's forums for more descriptive info on Volvo code scanners. You will definately get more replies there than you will here.

If you would like more info on scanning manually PM me.

Jngrbrdman · 03-17-03, 02:10

My Integra has an OBD2 ECU and I just check it with a paperclip.

There is an easy way to read the codes. To reset the light just take the negative terminal off your battery for a couple hours. It will reset itself. I'll get the instructions on how to read the OBD2 check engine codes for you and post them later.

thevolvoguy · 03-17-03, 02:21

Tony -

On the newer Volvo (still OBD II) models there is no way to manually check the codes.

rd -

http://www.volvospeed.com/volvo_performance.php

There are 46 pages that will help you understand OBD II, how it works and the different scanners avalible.

BradE · 03-17-03, 02:57

I have 2 different OBD II scanners currently, but have owned more. Right now I have a unit from www.obd-2.com and I have a OTC Enhanced Monitor. The OTC unit is more for professional use and costs about $700. The unit from www.obd-2.com is a laptop based scanner system, it works very well for a low priced product.

If you are not interested in seeing sensor values in real time, or monitor various systems, you can purchase a simple OBD 2 code reader. Code readers are typically about $130 or less. I had on Equus 3100 Code Reader and it worked O.K. It read powertrain codes and was not super expensive.

Good Luck!

rd_volvo · 03-18-03, 03:17

Jngrbrd,

You da mann!

Did the battery disconnect trick and the CEL is gone.

Hopefully it was just a one time event like bad gas,
loose gas cap, system burp, etc.

Someone was telling me today not to make it
a habit though for various reasons.

Thanks Again,

rd

Jngrbrdman · 03-18-03, 03:21

Glad it worked out for ya.

Hopefully its like you said and its not a regular thing. Maybe check your oil and see if your oil pressure got low for a second or something like that. Mine went off for that once.

BradE · 03-18-03, 03:54

Quote:

Originally posted by rd_volvo
Someone was telling me today not to make it
a habit though for various reasons.

That's because when you disconnect the battery it erases all the "learned" data for the engine. The PCM must relearn all the settings and paramiters for your car. Which sometimes can make the car run worse than before. See, when you delete codes the correct way, with scanner, all the "learned" data is retained in the PCM's memory.