Volvo 480 Club Europe

I am really pleased that I have secured the Volvo System Tester so that we can do proper diagnostics on the engine ECUs now of, I think, all 480s.

The connector goes in between the car's ECU and plug and "break out" the signals. This means that live data and diagnostic tests can be performed.

On my old B18E I have easily read live data. I ran out of time for diagnostics (seemed to take ages and at the time the car was in a garage so I thought I might choke to death!). It confirmed that I wasn't getting a temp signal as it said coolant COLD. That information in itself is helpful to me.‎

It looks like it will read: B18E (Fenix 1.0 and 3.2), B18F, B18FT & B18FT(M) (EZ210K + LH-2.2). It will also read 200/300/700 series ECUs (see picture below) ‎

The guy also threw in a Volvo Diagnostic Key which he forgot he had. This seems to plug in to the diagnostic post on the suspension turret (conformed by looking at Frenchfries car). I haven't tried this yet as my car is too early to have one.‎  This reads EZ116K, LH 2.4, REX, Regina and TCU (Turbo Control Unit) for B204 FT and GT‎ engines. I don't think any of these are relevant to the 480.‎

This cost £400, but it seemed like something that we must have access to, especially the old cars which can't blink codes out.

My thinking is that ‎I make this available to club members at meets and at my house should anyone want to come for a 480 diagnostics session. A small sort of rental donation would be welcome in this case. Does that seem reasonable? I suppose when I am off work (I work shift so get lots of time off) I could consider‎ trips to visit poorly 480s with this kit if necessary. ‎

System Tester:‎

Diagnostic Key:

‎

LOL

This thing is huge, there was no room left in your boot

That's some nice hardware, I bet it cost a small fortune back in the day when it was new.

Even though it's not much use for my car, I think it's great that we now have access to one of these in the community, and hopefully it will help people out in the future. James' proposal to make it available at meets and in general in return for a small donation sounds reasonable to me, particularly if he's willing to do home visits!

Great find, though a bit costly. I have seen a similar set for sale at the Volvo Klassiekerbeurs (Volvo Classics fair every September) last year, the price was way too steep for me to take it home. But I wished I had one a couple of weeks ago when I was trying to fix a problem with an ECU in an early 480 with B18E-engine. This set is especially usueful for the B18E and B18FT (Turbo) engines, as they lack diagnostic features which later engines (B18EP/FP and B20F) do have. I have the matching service manual, though it is in Dutch but I might find an English manual.

This was state-of-the-art technology in the late 1980s, I remember well to have played with such electronics when I was a student. I think that, once you have secured matching connectors, you can build your own test set using Arduino (or perhaps Raspberry Pi) controllers, but the development would take ages for a hobbyist who has to reverse-engineer all values.

Once again: great find!

Sweet hardware!

Jaster wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:41 am

That's some nice hardware, I bet it cost a small fortune back in the day when it was new.

Even though it's not much use for my car, I think it's great that we now have access to one of these in the community, and hopefully it will help people out in the future. James' proposal to make it available at meets and in general in return for a small donation sounds reasonable to me, particularly if he's willing to do home visits!

Oh yes! I forgot about the 2 litre engine!

I am going to take a guess that this would interrogate it, if we had the correct software cartridge. The wiring might be the same, we'd have to check the pin outs. 

It was made by Autodiagnos‎ so there is a chance they could help after all these years.

isn't the two litre the same as the Fenix 3.2 ? ?

or am I just havering?

useful bit of kit if it can do all those, and if it does the other Volvos more potential 'rental'

Alan 480 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2018 12:51 pm

isn't the two litre the same as the Fenix 3.2 ? ?

or am I just havering?

useful bit of kit if it can do all those, and if it does the other Volvos more potential 'rental'

Maybe, never owned one. Hopefully someone can enlighten us

I'll look tonight

Awesome find James. I definitely be happy to donate for a read out!

Rachel wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:52 pm

Awesome find James. I definitely be happy to donate for a read out!

You'll be pleased to know that it's on its way to jifflemon to try out on a Turbo.

Alan 480 wrote: ↑

Fri Feb 09, 2018 1:06 pm

I'll look tonight

HBOL says Fenix / Bendix 3B (bravo), no idea what the chnages are between the 3.1 / 3.2 / 3B ??

Oddly I purchased a green book recently that includes a “how to” of the Volvo System Tester and was wondering if any where still around.

I could scan it if you don’t already have a copy?

According to the green books the Fenix 1 and 3.2 were only used on the B18E. The B18U, B16F, B18EP/FP and B20F used the 3B.

Quoting a service bulletin the difference between the 1 and 3.2 is

wrote:The Fenix 3.2 has a new electronic control unit and two new sensors: the induction air temp sensor and coolant temp sensor. Both sensors are of the NTC type and can be recognised by the blue connectors.
The Fenix 3.2 also controls the air-con (if fitted). The new system is NOT interchangeable with the old.

eye of ra wrote: ↑

Sat Feb 10, 2018 11:42 am

Oddly I purchased a green book recently that includes a “how to” of the Volvo System Tester and was wondering if any where still around.

I could scan it if you don’t already have a copy?

That would be fabulous!