Ancel VOD700 for 1996 850 - experience needed

[andreweorr]

Hi All,

I’m looking for a diagnostics tool for my 850. The genuine Volvo software would be great, but I can’t find it anywhere, have a budget and would be starting from scratch, ie would need a laptop, etc.

My vehicle is a 1996 850R. Imported from Japan in 2017 and been very well serviced before I became owner recently.

*** editing this to add that the car has the OBD II port under the coin tray in centre console and does not have the earlier diagnostic ports behind off-side headlight.

A seller on eBay (UK) has the Ancel VOD700 for £99. Here’s a quote from the listing:

“Supports the protocols: KWP, CAN, UDS.Supports all OBDII/EOBD protocols: VPW, PWM, ISO, KWP 2000 and CAN.
850 (1992-1997), 960 (1991-1997),”. (Plus later models, of course)

Can any one share insightful feedback on this tool having actually used it?

A few of the faults I’d like to identify are:

Air distributor motors don’t work, they seem to be stuck at the dash vents. Robert DIY has a YouTube video showing his diagnostic reader running an ‘adjust motors’ test of some sort using a VST scan tool which resolved the same issue. Would the VOD700 allow this?

Headlight bulb failure light is on. The bulbs have been replaced with LED. Will the VOD700 allow me to turn the warning light off?

The ECC ‘REC’ and ‘AC’ lights flash 20 or so times at start up. Will the VOD700 allow me to cancel this warning and possibly identify the fault, if it isn’t the distributor motors?

Thanks for your advice and experience. I’m ready to buy a diagnostic tool but would like to do so with as much knowledge as possible! Andrew

[hal9000f]

Originally Posted by andreweorr

Hi All,
I’m looking for a diagnostics tool for my 850...

Don't know about Ancel VOD700... But, I recommend this as it could always be "in your pocket" and come in handy - 2 EUR for App and about 12-15 EUR for adapter:

https://xiaotec.fi
https://xiaotec.fi/?lang=en&a=10
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...aotec.fi.obdii

Get this Vgate iCar 2 ELM327 Bluetooth scanner and it will work flawlessly. Don't buy cheaper than that one!

Originally Posted by andreweorr

Headlight bulb failure light is on. The bulbs have been replaced with LED. Will the VOD700 allow me to turn the warning light off? Andrew

I think that will not go away because you installed LEDs which consume far less current so the warning system thinks your halogens are blown...

[4x4]

An Android phone the 850 OBDII app from Google Play and this ELM Bluetooth dongle Click

[rabbituk]

Originally Posted by 4x4

An Android phone the 850 OBDII app from Google Play and this ELM Bluetooth dongle Click

Do you know which Elm327 firmware version that uses? The USB/serial Elm327 cable I have reports as v1.5 which the late Elm Electronics never released and has a non-obvious set of commands (i.e. it supports some v1.4 + commands but others like the Slow Init (ATSI) which became available in v1.4 don't work).

[4x4]

I don't know what firmware version it uses. I originally bought another dongle from the vendor which didn't work and when I contacted him he said he would need a few weeks to get the correct firmware and this is what he came up with. There are a lot of members on this forum who now use this without any problems

[volvo again]

https://www.ilexa.co.uk/shop/VOL-FCR

Not sure what your budget is, I use this diagnostic on my laptop, priced about £126
You will need to purchase an OBD / USB lead as well.

[andreweorr]

Thanks Volvo again, I’ve been looking at that software and it looks like the best option ive seen. I’d hoped to get a fully contained unit to avoid having to buy a laptop specific for the software (I’ve only got a MacBook). But tbh, I think I’ll start searching for an old laptop. Can you recommend a cable? And what have you used the software to do on a ‘96 car?

And 4x4, thank you! I’d seen that dongle on eBay and thought it might be too good to be true. Glad it’s working for you. Can I ask you the same question as above - what have you been able to assess and/or test on a ‘96 car?

[andreweorr]

Hal9000f, I did not know about the app and obdii plug you’ve linked to, thanks for sharing. I’ll do some reading around that. And good point about the led headlights, I hadn’t considered the low voltage triggering a ‘no voltage’ warning.. thanks 🙏

[andreweorr]

Hi again, I’ve been looking at the website for this software and reminder reading that the ecc is not supported on the 800 series… as this looks to me to be very extensive and reliable software, I have my doubts that any ‘non Volvo’ diagnostics will allow me to test/reset the ecc…

[hal9000f]

Originally Posted by andreweorr

Hal9000f, I did not know about the app and obdii plug you’ve linked to...

That OBD2 dongle works without a glitch on my 855 TDI and V70 P3. You can buy another as suggested, just don't buy plugs cheaper than 12-15 EUR... those can be unreliable...

You won't be lucky with ECC... Probably there's no cheap solution for that...if any other than Volvo.