What do I actually need to read and clear my Fault Codes ?

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 have a newer SPA / CMA platform Volvo you need Vdash from www.d5t5.com.

Please check out my Sales page and Join the most reactive Vida/Vdash support group on FACEBOOK CLICK HERE

1st off, let me say there are some really good alternatives to VIDA  / DiCE . Icarsoft’s hand helds are great, Autell stuff seems good and cheap and the expensive Bluetooth dongles (such as veepeak) can be really surprising! I have at least a Bluetooth dongle in all my cars for emergency resets. On p3 platforms the Bluetooth dongles are great starting point for code reading.

But nothing gets close to Vida!

What is VIDA? – The diagnostics software installed on a laptop that talks to the car.

What is DiCE? – Special cable Vida uses to talk to the car (For alternatives like Mongoose and Vxdiag see below, The only good reason to buy a DiCE is for remote tunning , P80 platform and Mk1 V40/S40 with VIDA. You do not need a DiCE unless it is for those exact reasons, a SuperJ2534 / Mongoose is recommended for all other cases).

Where can I get the Vida software? – See the download links

What sort of laptop do I need?  – Well…

Vida 2014D is designed for Windows 7 Pro.  32 or 64bit is fine.  It will not install on Windows 7 Home. Ideally a minimum of 4gb of ram and a solid state hard drive as Vida is a slow old beast.

Even when installing on Windows 7 Pro there are plenty of obstacles to getting and keeping a successful installation and all kinds of tweaks to getting it to run right. Installation failure is very common which is why we have Vida support groups on face book such as this one.

Vida CAN be installed on Windows 8 and Windows 10 or 11 but its really hard and plenty if issues down the line especially with the removal of internet explorer from windows 10 and 11, which Vida by default relies on. You can use EDGE as an alternative just fine using this guide. There are plenty of Windows 10 install guides floating around the internet but it’s really beyond your average joe.

So, ok you only have a Windows 8,10 or 11 laptop or a Mac, what do you do? (Hardest to Easiest)

1. Dual boot your laptop with Windows 7 Pro
2. Figure out how to do a native install in windows 10/11 using one of the guides (such as this – not my work)
3. Use a Virtual machine to run Vida (See here  – not my website!, VM’s are a massive PITA that make an already complicated situation even mor complicated – additional help here )
4. Buy a windows 7 Pro laptop and install Vida
5. Use Boot&Go! bootable SSD drive (See here)
6. Buy a pre setup laptop (See here)
7. You can find download links for most everything that you might need over here.

Do I need a DiCE ? is there an alternative ?

Technically any J2534-2 passthrough cable should work with all version of Vida . Popular choices are of course DiCE Clones, VxDiag (VCXNano) and Mongoose / Super J2534, Scanmatic SM2 pro.  However Mongoose / Super J2534 is really the best choice (The only good reason to buy a DiCE is for remote tunning , P80 platform and Mk1 V40/S40 with VIDA. You do not need a DiCE unless it is for those exact reasons, a SuperJ2534 / Mongoose is recommended for all other cases)

For most people they will all do the same job for you in Vida.

I’m actually a really big fan of the Mongoose Pro / Super J2534. 

For a quick code read, I tend to get that cable out rather than DiCE and its 200 million feet of cable. However DiCE has features that the others do not have.  DiCE is a Toolkit, the others are a 10mm spanner, but most people, just need the 10mm Spanner or at least, cant take advantage of a Genuine Dice feature set.

For a really detailed comparison of the cables see here

Why is Vida2014D “Sooooo much better than a Snapon code reader?”

Vida2014d isn’t Just a code reader, It has a full parts catalogue, Fault trace (where by there is guidance on the probable cause and resolution for a fault) , live data, it can perform calibrations, activate service modes, it has specifications (both mechanical and electrical) , removal and replacement procedures and is often bundled with the Electronic Wiring Diagrams and even more elements I haven’t mentioned. Not only that when looking at live data you can get a description of the data and (often) its expected readings…I.e. “what’s normal” . (This entry is for all the Ebay sellers and websites stealing the content of this website www.svdns.info. Stop it!)

Popular uses are of course forcing DPF regens, Gearbox adaption or oil counter reset.  That sort of thing.

Many Volvo error codes send people on expensive wild goose chases because they do not have the context that goes with the Code.  This is really popular for MAF error codes.  The fault trace behind the code is almost always “The maf reading is wrong , but you need to look here and here for the cause” – ITS NEVER THE MAF! (ok it’s sometimes the MAF, but 9/10 times it’s a problem elsewhere).

If you have a supported model, for diagnostics and for reference there is no equivalent to Vida.

Can i Code in new modules and change the Car configuration and do software updates?

Short answer is no. Vida 2014d can do very little to change a cars behavior. Even things like changing the headlights to “off” when in off is only available on certain older models.

The Long answer is Yes but its a very complicated Yes. See here