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XC90 '02'15 General Forum for the P2-platform XC90 model |
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VIDA and DICE | general things FAQViews : 2843 Replies : 7Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Nov 2nd, 2019, 22:44 | #1 |
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VIDA and DICE | general things FAQ
As this comes up every now and then, I thought, I'd write down a small FAQ about VIDA and the DICE (the general things).
Disclaimer: I do not encourage anyone to do illegal things! Where or how you get the soft- or hardware is your responsibility, and you should know, that in nearly all cases there is something illegal involved. That being said, in my experience neither Volvocars nor the local dealers care about, but it should be noted. My dealer welcomes this kind of informed customer, as it brings him clients, that otherwise wouldn't come in years. BUT, now you are aware of this. So, now that you are a little scared by the legal terms, you need to relax and take a look at the great things you can do with a DICE and VIDA. And afterwards, you can still decide, what to do. What is VIDA or DICE? VIDA is the software you need to diagnose your Volvo. DICE is the hardware, to get your car to talk to your computer. Every Volvo from 1999 to 2014 has an OnBoardDiagnostic-System (or OBD2). All computers that are built into your car are talking with each other or at least with the main computer, called CEM (CentralElectronicModule). If faults arrise, they will be logged and can be read afterwards from the car. And this is, where the DICE comes into play. To read these error codes (or DTC, DiagnosticTroubleCode), you need to have a piece of hardware, that you can put into the OBD2 socket in the car on one side and into your computer on the other. That is, what the DICE does. VIDA on the other hand, is the software you need to make sense of all these data that comes in from your car. VIDA and the DICE are both the official tools, every Volvo dealer in the world is using to work with your car. That's why the disclaimer above. Soft- and hardware are both copyrighted or trademarked by Volvocars in Sweden. More on that later. What can I do with VIDA? VIDA has a lot more to offer than "only" reading the codes from your car. You'll find in depth repair instructions, fault tracing methods and a parts catalog for all Volvos from 1999 to 2014. You can also read real-time values from nearly every sensor in your car, from the transmission temperature to the ABS functions, from the window position to the steering angle. Some functions you can even start or stop from within VIDA, eg. running the windows up and down, calibrate them and so on. Here's a short (but far from complete) list:
What can't I do with VIDA? (eg can I upload software with VIDA?) All software things that need an active connection to the Volvo servers in Sweden. Two examples would be the preheater to full parking heater or programing a new key. Both is not possible. As a ground rule, software that needs to be newly uploaded to the car, is not possible. If the software is already there, you can change settings (eg the temp. of the seat heating). Do I need both, VIDA and DICE? No, you don't. VIDA is working very well as a standalone solution for repair instructions or the parts catalog. As long as you do not rely on the error codes, you are good to go. Eg. if you have a hole in your exhaust, you will find the error yourself, and VIDA can give you the part numbers you need to order and later instructions on how to change your exhaust. If the error or fault is not clearly visible, you need to know what is going on in your car, than you need a DICE to get these codes read. A little history? With the beginning of the new century, Volvo started to equip all new cars with OBD2. With this, it was necessary to have a tool for the dealers, to communicate with the car on one side, and a computer on the other. Volvo invented the software VIDA and the hardware DICE and sold them to every dealer worldwide. In or around 2010 some chinese companies became aware of the usefullness of this hard- and software package and started to building clones from the original DICE, and cracked the software, so it could be used by everyone. And that is still valid for 2019. To sum it up, VIDA and the DICE are the official tools, that Volvo is using! Does it have to be VIDA and a DICE? I have a generic OBD2 reader... Unfortunately yes, it has to be VIDA and a DICE. Until now, there is no known fully working code reader other than VIDA. You can read codes from a Volvo with a universal OBD2 reader, but it will mostly give you only a generic fault code. The explanation is simple: There is a worldwide accepted standard for OBD2 in place, and all car manufacturers are required by law, to use it for there cars. But, every car manufacturer has the right to expand on that standard. And that is the point, where Volvo did some tweaking and customizing, to make it harder for independent dealers to correctly diagnose a Volvo. A generic code reader will only give you the explanations that are defined as standard, but VIDA gives you an in-depth code, that only Volvo knows... Other manufacturers do handle this differently, with a BMW or Mercedes-Benz you will get a lot more out of the generic reader - but you drive a Volvo, that's for individualists... Another important thing: if you have to calibrate anything, this is only possible with VIDA/DICE. Eg the window end position. This might not seem to important, but a few faults get solved with calibrating the corresponding sensors or control modules... How do I get VIDA and/or a DICE?
What versions and installation methods of VIDA are available? Volvo took a "year-approach" in the naming convention for VIDA. So the versions are named with the year they were released and a letter for in-year-updates. That comes out to 2013c or 2014b or something similar. Usable for our interests are all versions up to 2014d. The following version (VIDA 2015) is not usable for us, as we do not want our VIDA to talk to Volvos servers in Sweden. So what you're looking for is VIDA 2014d as the best known working version! As we now have talked about versions, and which one to get, we now need to know, which installation method we choose. This is important, as the different installation methods have different downloads for the same version.
On what operating systems runs VIDA? VIDA runs on Windows 7 and on Windows 10. All versions and installation methods are available for both systems. You can even mix these, eg. your system runs on Windows 10 and you have VIDA running in a virtual machine with Windows 7... So Windows 7 and Windows 10 are both fine, I recommend Windows 10, as it is more stable than Windows 7. Which one is best for me?
Where can I download VIDA? * I don't want to post direct links to downloads, but I can post links to specific threads with instructions and download links. As I am not sure about the rules here in this forum, I don't want to post links without prior permission of the team. So after posting this thread, I'll ask, and if permission is given, I will edit this part! Thanks for understanding! For now, I can send a link via PM to installation instructions (and maybe you accidentally find a download link in that thread as well). Send me a PM, but please note, I will answer with a standard, non personalized message. * -------------------- Notes: This is a living document, that grows and gets better, if you give your contribution. If you find mistakes, unclear language or anything else, please leave a note here in the thread. I'll be happy to adjust this post, of course naming you as author for that part. Version history: 19-11-02 1.0 Initial version
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Nov 2nd, 2019, 22:45 | #2 |
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* reserved *
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Nov 2nd, 2019, 22:46 | #3 |
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Nov 3rd, 2019, 09:37 | #4 |
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you are missing a very important thing you can do with VIDA:
Read the functional and technical description of all devices and systems in the vehicle to learn how they work and interact with each other
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Nov 3rd, 2019, 11:50 | #5 |
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You say that you must use VIDA to read manufacturer reserved fault codes.
Whilst I would agree that VIDA has to be the diagnostic software of choice for 2014 and earlier Volvos, there are alternatives for the newer vehicles which the last publically available version of VIDA can't connect to, that do a pretty good job. VDash for one is Volvo specific and free to read fault codes for personal use, although chargeable on a per use basis for performing other functions such as service resets and modifying ECU parameters. My Launch MOT Pro can connect to all ECUs on my V40 and read fault codes, plot and log or graph sensor values, perform actuations, reset and calibrate functions etc. There are other alternatives intended for competent DIY mechanics or the independent motor trade with varying levels of connectivity and performance depending in part on how much you are prepared to pay. Having said that, although I can't use VIDA to connect to my 2017 car, I still use it for all of the other reasons that you mention. |
Nov 4th, 2019, 13:46 | #6 |
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Can you also reset gearbox oil change with VIDA and DICE and potentially software updates? or is this Dealrship only?
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Nov 4th, 2019, 16:51 | #7 | |
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Quote:
Software updates can be done if you are an authorised registered user. Which means you are a registered garage. You are probably not a registered user, so this means, for most people, that software updates remain a job for the dealership only. Which is probably a good thing.
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Nov 4th, 2019, 20:10 | #8 |
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Thanks SwissXC90. It might be worth moving this to the generic technical section as its a really good guide.
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