S80: Gearbox Should I allow mechanic to update transmission software?

[Arnold Layne]

Just spoke to my indepent Volvo specialist garage about booking in my elderly high miler S80 for a transmission fluid change. It's a 2007 geartronic D5 auto, with the Aisin box.

My mechanic is very experienced on this procedure, and has Vida to do it properly, which is great. He warned me however that when connected up there will probably be a software update available for my transmission. He then went on to very clearly indemnify himself from any negative outcomes if I choose to ask him to go ahead. He advised to take it to a Volvo dealer if I wanted the update. Apparently it tends to brick older cars transmissions, and if Volvo do it they have to take responsibility to fix it or restore it.

Thoughts?

[apersson850]

Never heard of it doing that.

[bananarama]

Don't take this as gospel, but a software update could include an increase the "hydraulic pressure" which could lead to issues because the seals aren't up to the higher pressures.

[Tannaton]

I'm skeptical...

I *think* at Independent repairers who purchase VIDA licenses, software updates are individually chargeable. He can connect it and read any codes without initiating a software update.

Hence I would believe he is not that experienced....

You cannot update software with the clone, cracked copies of VIDA that many of us download from the internet and use.

I've never heard of anyone on hear having a TF80 "bricked" by a software update, and there will be several members with 10-15 year old cars with full dealer history.

The suggestion that Volvo would accept responsibility I find fanciful as well. That's like taking your I-Phone back to the Apple store and saying you updated IOS and the screen cracked...

[Tatsfield]

My understanding is that it isn't really VIDA which updates the software. It merely acts as a conduit for the Volvo Mainline computer in Göteborg and to access that you8 need to be registered as a dealer with Volvo. So unless this guy is a registered Volvo dealer, he cannot do it.

[apersson850]

That's correct. Vida is the tool, but the software itself is in Volvo's repository.

[Tannaton]

Originally Posted by Tatsfield

My understanding is that it isn't really VIDA which updates the software. It merely acts as a conduit for the Volvo Mainline computer in Göteborg and to access that you8 need to be registered as a dealer with Volvo. So unless this guy is a registered Volvo dealer, he cannot do it.

Independent garages can also purchase and use VIDA from Volvo, but as I understand it software updates have to be bought and paid for from Volvo on a item by item basis.