It is my understanding that Volvo is OBD-2 complient, but that they use an extended code set that is not made public. Therefore, most tools on the market will read the ISO-9141 codes only.

Some links I have found are:

http://www.actron.com/

http://www.obd2.com/

http://www.obdii.com/

http://www.ghg.net/dharrison/obdscan.html

and I am sure there are many others, with a wide range of prices.

I own the obdii one. It can read and reset fault codes and read a number of other parameters. Computer required (preferably a laptop). Cost $122. Cannot reset the service light on your '98 V70R.

Model year 96, 97, 98 service light cannot be reset without a specific tool to do so. IPD sells one for $178 but it only does one thing! Your friend can reset his '99 service light with a trip odometer and ignition key sequence.

Why Volvo won't release their extended code set escapes me. Perhaps legislation will force them to do so, but until then, the codes you read from a generic scan tool will serve only as a rough guideline for diagnostics. This alone may be worth the money you spend on a tool, and to be able to reset Check Engine lights.

Let us know how you make out.

- Tom E
--
98 V70 GLT black 54k