Vodia Tool

[mikesyam]

Hi All
Finally managed to pick up a Vodia Tool from the US which is in really good condition, it came from a bankrupt sale and finally arrived yesterday but problem is after the program loads it asks for a user name and password which I dont have, obviously theres no point contacting Volvo and the seller will give me my money back but I really want to keep it, has anyone any suggestions please,
Thanks

 

[jrudge]

As far as I know the Vodia tool talks to the Volvo server to find out what updates you have, then downloads the update, which is then applied to the boat.

As such it is a solve closed shop.

These are simply my observations from having engineers visit the boat, and others will no doubt know more.

 

[jfm]

How does it talk to Volvo server j? Does it have a SIM card in it?

It would nice if it could be used in a limited fashion not talking to any server, to allow just viewing of data in engine's memory like fault code history, hours at WOT, ave load factor, lifetime fuel consumed, trip fuel consumed, and all that sort of stuff. Caterpillar give you all this for free (well, you gotta buy the engine of course)

 

[jrudge]

it was my (probably limited) understanding that before they came to see you they had the engine numbers. At the office they connected to volvo and then downloaded what they needed.

Once done they connect again to say they have updated - and if they don't they get "fined" by volvo.

 

[aquapower]

Hi All
Finally managed to pick up a Vodia Tool from the US which is in really good condition, it came from a bankrupt sale and finally arrived yesterday but problem is after the program loads it asks for a user name and password which I dont have, obviously theres no point contacting Volvo and the seller will give me my money back but I really want to keep it, has anyone any suggestions please,
Thanks

Its no use to anyone unless you are Volvo dealer, get your money back. It connects to PC with USB lead and then you log into VPPN with your user name and password.

 

[jfm]

it was my (probably limited) understanding that before they came to see you they had the engine numbers. At the office they connected to volvo and then downloaded what they needed.

Once done they connect again to say they have updated - and if they don't they get "fined" by volvo.

Ah right, I see. That sounds highly plausible for Planet Volvo, so I don't doubt you're right

 

[Andyroonot]

The tool may be loaded with the Dealer who owned its' user ID's, which would be visible in the drop down box under 'User ID'. Each ID would have a password for it, so that each engineer at said Dealer uses his or her ID so there is traceability of what is done with it. If you know the password & that users access level is set at a reasonable level you would have limited functionality when plugged into an engine; fault code reading, minor parameter adjustments & log testing. For software programming you would indeed need to plug it into a computer & log onto the Volvo Penta Dealer website & download the required software. 'Reporting back' software is required via the same method, but only for software & parameter changes; fault code reading or log testing is not something that gets reported, although there is a function of sorts to do this on request.

So, essentially it is of no use to you without the password(s), or limited use with it/them.

 

[volvopaul]

U

The tool may be loaded with the Dealer who owned its' user ID's, which would be visible in the drop down box under 'User ID'. Each ID would have a password for it, so that each engineer at said Dealer uses his or her ID so there is traceability of what is done with it. If you know the password & that users access level is set at a reasonable level you would have limited functionality when plugged into an engine; fault code reading, minor parameter adjustments & log testing. For software programming you would indeed need to plug it into a computer & log onto the Volvo Penta Dealer website & download the required software. 'Reporting back' software is required via the same method, but only for software & parameter changes; fault code reading or log testing is not something that gets reported, although there is a function of sorts to do this on request.

So, essentially it is of no use to you without the password(s), or limited use with it/them.

+1

 

[superheat6k]

And this restrictive practice requiring sole use of VPs approved technicians to service their engines is supposed to encourage folk to buy the engine models reliant on these closed protocol electronics.

Thank goodness the electronics on my engines are limited to the gauges, and not a engine management unit in site. Clearly this is going to become an increasing problem in the future as the older technology, user serviceable engines gradually disappear.

 

[volvopaul]

And this restrictive practice requiring sole use of VPs approved technicians to service their engines is supposed to encourage folk to buy the engine models reliant on these closed protocol electronics.

Thank goodness the electronics on my engines are limited to the gauges, and not a engine management unit in site. Clearly this is going to become an increasing problem in the future as the older technology, user serviceable engines gradually disappear.

Exactly, the problem is that technology moves so fast there's no way an individual can keep up. The vodia is nearly all but defunct in dealers as it's been replaced with a laptop which can talk straight to the net and dealer or Volvo direct. The vodia is used as a fault finding tool but common sense and years of knowledge is required to fault diagnosis. The tool does not tell you fully what parts have failed. In my experience a good old hunch is required every time an engine slows to limp mode or doesn't start at all. I'll give two examples.
1. A D6 that would only Rev to 1500 rpm in gear,most would say fuel, tech might say boost sensor. Result , the fault was the shift selector telling the engine it's still in neutral yet no neutral light on. No vodia required to fix this one.
A non starter, later gen 3 eve, many faults pulled up on Rev counter display, turned out valeter had knocked plug out of engine loom , much time searching to find this one.

Cummins will sell smart craft tool to anyone to diagnose faults . Nice one.

 

[Andyroonot]

I find Vodia is used most of the time just for reading fault codes; however, EVC-C1 allows user reading of active faults from the tacho if you press the right buttons to enter that mode, and EVC-C2 onwards allows reading of active fault codes simply by scrolling through to the screen that says 'faults'. So yes, although the tool not being available to end users/non dealers does push you towards a dealer for some diagnostics & programming etc., the basic job of establishing what a fault code is has been written into the later versions of software & if you read the owners manuals/consult your dealer, some self diagnosis is possible, which helps no end if/when you do contact a dealer if you have the fault code in advance.

As the previous post suggests, not everything can be diagnosed with it, such as D4-D6 boost temperature sensors-sending a valid reading albeit a wrong one means no faults but low power. Slipping props won't trigger a fault either. It's not always the answer but is considered a magic wand sometimes!

'Vodia 5' which is the laptop version recently released is required because the processing power of the Vodia PDA could not cope with the latest engine/EVC system requirements for software updates, plus the fact that the PDA manufacturer has now stopped production. Some industrial engines can only be diagnosed with the laptop version.