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Using VIDA
A POWERFUL AND
VALUABLE TOOL
FOR PRODUCTIVITY

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VIDA is the Volvo program and information and vehicle configuration, describing some of the features of
database that can be ordered software, and various operational and this powerful package and some
and purchased through the Volvo security codes for control modules. brief information on how to connect
online site. The database tracks the and upload this package.
various systems in Volvo vehicles, In a previous issue of Volvo TechTips,
and monitors and analyzes vehicle we provided an introduction to VIDA Many readers were interested in
learning more about VIDA, about the
process for installing it, and learning
more about how it can be used for
diagnosis and repair of Volvo vehicles.

So, in this installment, we’ll provide

detailed information about the
process for acquiring and installing
VIDA, along with several examples
showing how VIDA can be used in the
independent shop. Then, in a future
issue, we’ll delve into more detailed
examples showing how to use VIDA
for diagnosing problems in many
different vehicle systems, how to zero
in on specific fixes, and how to use
VIDA as a quality control system to
verify the effectiveness of repairs.

The database is updated at all times

for Volvo vehicles. The communication
is tamper proof and connects via
the internet. In order to download
software for Volvos, you will need to
purchase a subscription for VIDA.
There is no other way to download
this factory software except through
VIDA. The ordering system is called
PIE (Product Information Exchange).

With VIDA installed on your laptop,

you will now be able to diagnose and
Here you will find the different types of software, upgrades, reloads and
download software when needed.
function changes.
To install VIDA, you will need to go
to volvotechinfo.com. Once you have
registered and set up your account,
and purchased a VIDA subscription
of 3, 30 or 365 days you can now
start purchasing software via VIDA.

Select the Software tab to access all

software listings. You must have a full
VIN (vehicle identification number) for
a specific vehicle to order individual
software. The software product list
will show you all software available
for the vehicle you’re servicing. After
download is completed, the order info
will be moved to history.
The Software tab at top of page will show you software available for vehicle.
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USING VIDA

The Purchase tab is the beginning

process to initialize software. After
your order is complete, you will need
to retrieve the software. Your order
history will show you all software you
have downloaded.

DICE
DiCE (Diagnostic Communication
Equipment) is a tool to allow a
vehicle to communicate with VIDA.
You will need this to download
software, as well as for diagnosing
problems. Make sure that your DiCE
has the newest firmware installed,
version 5.6.2.

When downloading software, DiCE

can be used in Bluetooth, or you can
hook power directly to DiCE. Hooking
direct 12 volt power could help in
communication problems and provide When ordering software you will need to select the Purchase Software tab.
fewer interruptions.

It is possible to use more than

one DiCE at one time to download
software. Each DiCE unit has the
own identification number. Click on
the drop down menu and click the
DiCE unit that is not being used. You
must do this before vehicle read-out
is done.

Upgrading software with a new

version can be performed when
software is out of date. In this case,
when VIDA is connected, you will
be able to select the Software tab The software cart window will pop up to show you what you’ve ordered.
and see what updates are needed.
Updates are needed periodically,
so it’s a good thing to check them
when customers come into your
facility for service and/or repair.
Upgrading software can definitely
affect emission controls, so if you
need to smog your vehicle, this is
very important and another reason to
purchase VIDA.

Software is downloaded while

VIDA is connected to a vehicle.
Make sure to connect a battery
charger to the vehicle while software
is being downloaded, since the
vehicle must have battery voltage
Credit card info will be entered here.
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USING VIDA

at all times. Remember, as we

reported in the inaugural issue, Volvo
recommends the Midtronics battery
charger/maintainer.

If you know the product number,

enter it now. If not, scroll down the list
of software until you find the correct
software. You’ll have to re-load if the
control module was replaced with a
new unit.

Highlight software needed and

click Add tab. The software will now
appear in the software list. Click on the
Purchase tab. A pop-up window will
appear from Volvo Tech Info. You will
need to enter your credit card
info to purchase software. Once this is
done, the software will appear in the
description area. Now you will need
to select the Add To Order tab and
then select Retrieve. A box will pop up Select the Upgrades tab while the vehicle is connected to VIDA and you will
asking for your order reference number. see all upgrades needed for that particular vehicle.
Here you will add the last six
digits of the VIN and click OK.

A software status message

will show you the status of the
software download.

The vehicle information will

read out again. The Order
Details window will show the
software and how long it should
take to download into vehicle.
Click Continue. Then, you will
need to start the download by
selecting Start.
Once you select the Start
button, an invoice will be
generated and sent to your
email address with all details.
During software download, the
vehicle will make some clicking
sounds, and the DIM (Drivers
Information Module) will go
blank. Do not panic — this is
just the process of waking up
modules in the system and First you will Add To
downloading software. Order queue and then
Retrieve Software.
A USB memory stick is good to
use on files larger than 1.5 mb.
You must use a Volvo certified
memory stick for this to work
V O LV O T E C H T I P S 3 0
(Part number 951-2999). You can VIDA will only monitor download Large software files can also be done
buy Volvo tools through SPX through DiCE, so you must keep without the use of a USB memory
volvodealersolutions.com. DiCE connected. Progress will be stick. Go to Advanced in Software
seen in percentages. When software tab, and click on the box for large
The software will be uploaded to the download is complete, VIDA will send files without memory stick. This, of
memory stick from VIDA, then will be confirmation to central system. Select course, will take longer. Uncheck box
installed through the center console OK when finished. 100 percent will after completion.
USB port. Then, select the Continue show when completed.
button. VIDA will program the control If at some point you try to order
unit via memory stick. software and get a screen saying
“124- client ID is not registered,” you
will need to log into VIDA admin and
save all info and delete user. Then
add new user. Reregister VIDA, again
running the registration guide. This
will take time, so wait a few minutes
before ordering software. Reference
Service Product Journal 31721.

In some cases you might have

problems downloading software. For
example, your software download
may have been interrupted. Or the
communication between VIDA
and the vehicle during software
downloading may be locked in
Program mode.

There is a Reset command in the

Advanced tab to bring all control
modules out of Program mode.
There is also a Send Program tab.
Send Program is a command to the
CEM to allow communication with
all control modules so downloading
can continue.

Send Reset will allow

communication with all control
modules to return to original status
before downloading attempt. In
certain circumstances, software will
need to be reordered and another
attempt made to download.

When downloading software, it’s

always a good idea to check Volvo’s
technical journals to see if any
related problems coincide with the
job you are doing.

Volvo is always making new updates

for software, so the technician will
have to check periodically to see if
updates are available for each model.

Software download progress is shown in percentages.

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USING VIDA

USING VIDA
VIDA is an extraordinarily versatile
tool and can be used when servicing
virtually any system in a Volvo. Here
are just a few examples of how VIDA
can be used in the shop.

Suppose, for example, a technician

finds a problem with a customer’s
transmission. After further
diagnosis, the technician comes
to the conclusion that the TCM
(Transmission Control Module) is
faulty. The technician removes the old
module and installs a new module.
After installation, new TCM software
will need to be purchased and
downloaded into the vehicle for the
transmission to operate correctly. The
total reload can be done to all control
units at one time. Refer to RTJ23502
for additional information on upgrading
and reloading software.

Security software can be downloaded

for keys and remotes when adding
or removing to vehicle. They must
communicate with the immobilizer
in the vehicle. The keys and remote
must be coded to the immobilizer so
you are able to start vehicle, and lock
and unlock vehicle.

When adding keys and/or remotes

after software has been purchased
and during download, VIDA will tell
you how many keys and/or remotes
are being programmed. A vehicle can
only program a certain number of
these devices, so you might have to
erase old or lost keys or remotes in
order to add more.

When purchasing keys or remotes,

you will get a code that you will have
type in when you download software.
A window will pop up and ask you
for the numbers and letters to enter.
After doing this, you will be able to
add keys one at a time with the same
software at that time of hook up. The
same will work with remotes.

Software application is adding

software for functionality, for lights,
radios and other accessories. For
DiCE is easily connected and DiCE units can be used on multiple vehicles concurrently.
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example, if a vehicle comes equipped and downloading software, you will
with halogen lights and you want to need to program values into the
change to HID (xenon) lamps, you can new control module. Such functions
do this by installing new headlights can include lights, seat heaters, and
then downloading software to change alarm settings.
from halogen to xenon.
During certain downloads, calibration
Or, suppose a technician is working must be performed — climate
on a 2002 XC70 that came in control modules, for example. The
to the shop with DIM (Drivers Download tab will turn yellow. A
Information Module) going blank window will pop up. Simply follow
sometimes. Plug in DiCE and the instructions.
connect with vehicle. Perhaps the
technician cannot communicate with When replacing certain control
DIM but can see that other control modules, it can be very helpful to
modules are working fine, thus take a picture to identify relays and
determining that DIM is not working shunt positions to make it easier to
correctly any more. replace. Examples include CEM and
REM. This makes for less confusion
A new DIM must be ordered from for technicians.
the local dealer. Note that you
cannot use a previously-used unit Sometimes during software
since it will not work due to non- upgrades, you may receive a software
matching VINs. Before installing the download error code 131, indicating
new unit, make sure the battery is that you will need to replace the
disconnected first. You must wait Infotainment head unit. Here are
five minutes after key is cycled tech journals to go along with the
before disconnecting the battery. problem: TJ 32512 and TJ 31543.
After installing the new DIM and
connecting the battery, new software Battery draining can also have
will need to be installed to match the to do with software. For instance
VIN and be able to work correctly. convertibles from model years
2007-2010 might come in with the
It is possible to remove software customer complaining about their
when removing and transferring an battery being dead and the car will
accessory such as a radio. To do so, not start. In these cases, software in
you must first download Remove the CRM (Convertible Roof Module)
software into the vehicle from which might need to be updated.
you are removing the radio. The
application software will be used Lets talk about the newer generation
in the vehicle into which you are of Volvos. Volvo S60 models with a
installing the radio. new driver’s control interface may
afford the challenge of loading larger
Upgrading software is an important software files. The older Volvos
service procedure. For example, would take three to six minutes to
when updating an ECM, your order download. The newer model, being
is placed and sent to your hard drive. more complex, now could take thirty
When software is downloaded into to sixty minutes depending on the
the vehicle, if the vehicle already vehicle. These files can have 30mb
has the latest software, VIDA will of data in them, and this means DiCE
recognize that this is the case. could be hooked up to a vehicle for
as long as an hour.
If you are reloading a control module
with functions, you need to read For this reason, you can now use
them off first and make notes. Then, more then one DiCE at a time and
after replacing the control module the USB memory stick to download

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USING VIDA

software. Using more then one

DiCE, software can be downloaded
into more then one vehicle at a
time. As an example, you can be
downloading software into one
vehicle and diagnosing and working
on another vehicle at the same
time. This way you don’t waste a lot

1
of down time.

After software is downloaded,

you should check to make sure
everything is working correctly. You
may need to reset the clock and
possibly resync windows under
Vehicle Communication, DDM
(Drivers Door Module). To do this,
go to the Vehicle Communication
tab. Then select DDM. Once the
DDM comes up, select Advanced
and scroll down to initializing the
window positions. You should

2
initialize both windows.

Always remember there is a lot

of information on volvotechinfo.com to
help with problems you may encounter.

As you can see from these few

examples, VIDA is an unusually
smart and powerful package
that can make diagnosis faster
and more accurate, speeding
throughput in your shop. It can also
verify that repairs you’ve made have
indeed corrected the customer’s
original complaint. And, importantly,
it can confirm the service you’ve
performed has not introduced any 3
extraneous issues or fault codes
that were not present when the car
came into your shop.

In future issues of Volvo TechTips

we will explore, in greater detail,
how VIDA can analyze and zero
in on faulty components and even
software issues, helping you to
quickly and accurately identify and
repair customers’ Volvos.

4
VIDA is a powerful tool.
Perhaps VIDA could stand
for Valuable Identification
and Diagnostic Asset... • Figure 1-4: After software has been downloaded, in most cases you will need
to initialize window controls.

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