Articles & Guides

With ModUnlock Flash now adding advanced data logging for almost any P1 P2 or P3 platform Volvo to its armoury I thought I’d give it a go with my V60 and compare the OEM intake to a very expensive SNABB intake. ModUnlock Flash is a hardware RAM data logger that talks directly to the ECU,… Continue reading Advanced Volvo Data logging!

A question that is often asked when looking at live data, is well…. What should it read? What should the map sensor read at idle or at full boost ? There are several places in Vida you can look this information up. In Diagnostics, Vehicle communication, (select module) , Parameters, there is a button at… Continue reading Live data – Parameters – reference

Both Vida and Vdash and have the ability to pair a suitable used BCM (thats brake control module / ABS) from a donor car. In Vida its free, but slightly hidden, in Vdash it is a paid for operation. But from my experience there are some pitfalls. It has to be from a similar car.… Continue reading Pairing a USED ABS module (P1/P2/P3)

TLDR – Load the EWD in internet explorer or Edge with IE compatibility mode for later models that load “empty pages”. The EWD (Electronic Wiring Diagrams) can be downloaded as an ISO from various sources on the internet (see here) and then installed into Vida. Personally I dont like it installed into Vida. It grows… Continue reading EWD – Some models show blank pages + Install guide + More

I have for some time come across Vida installation where the communication tool dialogue box is missing, but none of the usual fixes seem to work. It was not down to IEmode in Edge, it was not down to enableiehosting, it was not down to having the wrong browser, it was not down to .netframework.… Continue reading Communication tool dialogue box missing…AGAIN (weird cause)

Vdash can now decode all P1 platform immobiliser pin codes WITHOUT the CEM pin in just a minute. This is a major break through for people needing to do MOST security off , or program keys. Some time ago Volvo in their infinite wisdom withdrew “MOST security off” from Main dealer software database so it… Continue reading P1 / P2 platform VDASH immob decode break through

If you have spent any time hanging around p1 groups you will surely have seen far to many posts about immobiliser issues on the 2.0d C30 / C70 / S40 / V50. What’s it all about and what’s the solution? During cranking (or slow parasitic battery drain) the battery voltage can get so low that… Continue reading OTDIRS – P1 2.0d “On the drive immobiliser reload system”

When looking to replace the springs or dampers on your Volvo, you’ve probably gone into the parts catalogue, looked at the list of 30 different springs and asked WTF that all means. Which do i need? isnt it obvious… “See product sign for marking” lol. What is the product sign, where is and how does… Continue reading “See product sign for marking”…wut??

ONLY SVDNS AND D5T5 SELL SUPER J2534! The Short answer is a mongoose pro chipset cable for Vida, but the long answer is a little more complicated. We started testing Mongoose pro cables many years ago and found that when it came to Vida, it really was much better than DiCE, In terms of price,… Continue reading What is Super J2534?

Around 2022 Volvo moved from its long established Sensus operating system for the SPA and CMA platform cars to what is know as iCUP , Android Auto or AAOS. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE This move added an extra layer of security to the car which means that you cannot… Continue reading Volvo’s Android Auto security – is this even legal ?

Magenti Marelli Electronic Throttle Modules are not to be confused with BOSCH Throttle Bodies. they are entirely different and not cross compatible. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE BOSCH TB’s do not need coding. Simply plug and play. However MM ETM’s do need coding. I had heard anecdotal evidence that they… Continue reading Do ETM’s need coding?

Including all keys lost situations **** Different regions use different frequency Keys…EU keys will not work on Japanese imports for instance , Always check what frequency you require before purchase!!! ***** Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Note – Vdash currently cannot program P1 or P3 Keyless entry keys.  That is… Continue reading Key Coding (P1,P2,P3 + SPA / CMA)

Unfortunately , due to the chip shortages some manufacturers have started putting a completely different device inside a DiCE looking shell. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE There are now 4! flavors of fake DiCE going around. 2 based on Vxdiag chipset, a variant based on the Mongoose Pro , Mongoose… Continue reading Fake DiCE – The saga continues….again,v4 ?

So it seems now along with Green PCB DiCE, the very old Blue PCB DiCE, the blue PCB fake DiCE that are not actually DiCE, we now have RED DiCE! Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE But hey!, they actually seem to be a very well built 206571 clone. Really the… Continue reading Red DiCE – red WHAT now ?

“JuSt UsE a ViRtUaL mAcHinE gUy, ThEy ArE eAsY!” Honestly, I spend more time helping people with VM issues than with native installs. VM’s add many extra steps and complexity to an already complex situation. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE OK, maybe the title of this post is a little… Continue reading NO VIRTUAL MACHINES ARE NOT EASIER!

!!!!! If you take a 3rd party converted car to Volvo for software updates, it will undo the conversion !!!!!! this includes things like adding keys. This article is really focused on Japanese imports to the UK market so mostly deals with KM to Miles, but the rest of the principles remain the same for MPH… Continue reading So, You’ve bought an import Volvo! 

A few months ago a chap popped up in the Vida groups selling a USB thumb drive version of Boot&Go! Having been in I.T. all my life I thought, thats a bad idea…..but I also thought hey, you know maybe the new TLC based flash drives are actually OK for this sort of thing, lets… Continue reading Boot&Go! Vs Thumb Drive

It’s time to move Vida to running in Edge – Permanently Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE There is still a work around to make Vida launch in Internet explorer (see here), but really there is little point in it. That glitch will probably get “fixed” so, might as well make… Continue reading Where has my Dice Gone Now ?

Modunlock’s (www.modunlock.com) latest public firmware release now includes T6 ECM pin decoding! Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Modunlock’s CEM pin decoder can securely decode P1 / P2 / P3 CEM pins without the use of a laptop or DiCE or internet connection .

This guide shows how to do an SCL delete with Vdash, using ModUnlock to get the CEM pin code. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE This SCL delete guide works for any 2009 or newer P1 or P3 platform Volvo. So here it is a 2010 V50 T5, this is what… Continue reading Steering Column lock Delete Guide (P1 and P3)

To be fair, this is the same procedure for all platforms really. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE

This is of course the most common question for a new Volvo owner, and I’m going to limit this answer to 1999-2019 models supported by Vida 2014D ( Vida2014d can talk to P80, P1, P2 and P3 platforms, though some of the very late model engines and gearboxes are not specifically supported) – If you… Continue reading What do I actually need to read and clear my Fault Codes ?

So you were happily using Vida with internet explorer, then the next day …Boom – No DiCE. both literally and figuratively. Basically, your now in Edge browser. At some point windows asked if you want Edge Browser to take over as default and you answered yes. Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK… Continue reading GetCommToolSettingObject error in Vida (Windows 10)

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE So all P1 (C30,C70,S40,V50 etc) suffer from immobiliser issues caused by the electronic Steering column lock failing and also on 2.0D models, lose of immobiliser data from the ECM, also common are SRS modules failures due to low battery voltage. Let’s talk about the Steering… Continue reading P1 Platform Immobiliser / SRS issues

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE This is a very quick guide to using VID2014D. But I think it covers some of the most important but often overlooked aspects for fault diagnosis with VIDA2014D.

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE All Volvo keys can start the car without batteries. They use passive RFID for reading the immobilizer pin code. In p1 / p2 / p3 the RFID reader is in the ignition barrel / slot SPA/CMA platform cars have a reader in the cup holder… Continue reading Volvo Starting issues “Have you checked the batteries in the key m8?”

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE If you accidently log into Vida with a time and date thats in the past (common on older laptops that need a new CMOS batter) , its pretty easy to fix. Set the date back to the correct time and then you can login. If… Continue reading Vida wont let you log in after having an incorrect clock.

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE At various times , Vida 2014d will for reasons unknown, decide it needs to be re-patched. Follow these steps to fix it.

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE ModUnlock (www.modunlock.com) have released a hand held CEM pin decoder for P1 , P2 and P3 platform cars. It is pretty neat and much quicker than most alternatives. Unlike other options it doesn’t need any additional equipment like a laptop, or Dice , or Internet… Continue reading CEM / ECM pin decoding with no Computer?

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE A Customer recently bricked their IHU (thats the Integrated Head unit or radio to normal people) ) during a routine software upgrade . With the cost and lead time from Volvo for a new unit being too great, an eBay donor unit was sought. We… Continue reading SPA IHU’s (radio) are not coded ?

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE This is a Irreversible one way Process! Your Boot&Go will no longer support legacy boot modes! afterwards! Use this guide at your own risk! 1) Create a W11 USB installation media on separate USB drive (See this guide)2) Boot from the W11 USB drive3) Choose… Continue reading Boot&Go Legacy boot to UEFI conversion

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE There are 2 different types of this error (see here). One is a simply registry fix, but this one however….I never seem to get the time dig deep to find a quick fix for it. The EASY (but not quick ) fix is just to… Continue reading The other cause of missing DiCE in Vida 2014D

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Occasionally people ask how to clear the list of previous VINs in VIDA 2014D. its pretty easy but you do have to re-patch VIDA afterwards. Here is How…

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Vxmanager download link

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE We all know the normal method for connecting to a car in Vida…hook everything up, login, Vehicle profile hit “read vehicle and away you go. And you may have seen my guide on how to quickly and easily add a huge amount of extra vin… Continue reading Using Vida 2014d with an unsupported Vin

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE On high resolution screens Windows tends to set the screen DPI to 150%. When the DPI is set to 150% for reasons probably only known to the Gods themselves , you have to RIGHT CLICK on modules in Vehicle communication or Network in order to… Continue reading Why can’t I click on modules in Vida ? (TLDR ? Just Right click instead)

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Post has now been retired – view this one instead

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Thanks to the work of Edwin Sundar and others the below linked page gives a really good guide on how to add flappy paddle shifters to your P3 platform car. It is really easy. even more so if you dont care about the Crystal gear… Continue reading P3 Platform Flappy paddle retrofit – It’s really easy!

I’ve been running Vida in Windows 11 for a while now and it seems fine, if not actually better than W10. So far the “Unable to get property ‘0’ of undefined or null reference” error on the vehicle profile screen of W7/8/10 systems does not seem to happen anymore. Not that it caused an issue,… Continue reading Vida 2014d / 2015A and Windows 11 – Seems fine

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Zjev over on Sweedspeed had done a great job of adding Vin support to Vida 2014d for newer p3 models (No SPA platform support and V60CC is available on AME partner group only) But it was still somewhat of a difficult job to modify the… Continue reading Vida 2014d / 2015a – P3 support up to 2018 – how to update Vida yourself

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE The Red firmware light on a DiCE is not a usually a good sign, sometimes they just want a reboot, sometimes they dont like the USB port, sometimes the firmware has become corrupt, and sometimes they have not been flashed correctly from the factory. Providing… Continue reading Is your DiCE Really Dead ?

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE What better way to test a new batch of DiCE than with a start stop disable on a precious 2017 V60 polestar (2.0). Need a quick easy way to get your CEM pin code, Check out Mod Unlock – The portable hand held CEM pin… Continue reading Start stop disable with VDASH

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Volvo P2 petrol fuel pumps (Focusing on R / 2.4 T5) though 99% of this is accurate for single pump setups in terms of operation. The P2r / T5 fuel pump setup is really interesting.  It’s return-less but has a return.  The lift pump is… Continue reading Volvo P2 petrol fuel pumps (Focusing on R / 2.4 T5)

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Vida can show 5 Items in its graph view, or 10 items on the data view. So i prefer the data view. You can get more done in a shorter time. But in order to be able to review it we need to use screen… Continue reading Data Logging with Vida 2014D – It’s a bit shit, but it’s usually the best we got 🙁

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Quite often a change in Internet Explorer Security settings stop the DiCE functionality in Vida. It’ sometimes caused by windows updates (for .net framework) but not always. It has a very quick fix, a fix that has actually been on the Vida Installation Dvd since… Continue reading HALP MA DICE IS GON!

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE There is no Password! – Just a username (1,2,3,4 or Admin) If you are trying to login to a page titled “Volvo Cars Access Manager” , This is not Vida 2014D. To make it go away you need to Navigate to “c:\Vida” and delete or… Continue reading What’s the Username and Password for Vida?

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE I was aksed , “What is The difference between Initial State, Unselected CSC and Delivery when fault finding in Vida?” Well… Initial State is a list of codes from the modules and they are stored in VIDA, if VIDA is not used correctly Initial State… Continue reading In Vida what is “Initial State” , “Unselected CSC” , “Delivery” and why should I care ?

Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE Having recently seen quite a few owners mentioning that their car seems to think the battery is always at a low state of charge (even after replacing the battery) . I thought I could shed some light on the subject (always ensure your alienator and… Continue reading Battery Health (P3 and onwards)