service light coming on.

Just to be sure, this is the "service" light and not the "check engine" light? If so, it is just a reminder. It doesn't even know as much as you do about the condition of your car, it's just more focused on it :-)

Mike

If it is the service light, and not the check engine, then it is just a service reminder. Comes on every 5000 miles in your model.

AC

The service light on that car is simply a reminder that it's due for an oil change, and is set to come on whenever you start the car, and stay on for 2 minutes.

The 5000 mile setting is from the last time the light was reset, which should be whenever the oil is changed; however, most mechanics simply don't bother or don't remember to set it. After an oil change, I always reset it myself just to be sure. To reset it yourself, remove the rubber plug to the left of center of the speedometer display, and poke a pen or something into the opening to punch the button in the hole.

Does anyone know how to get the service light off on a 1998 V70XC? It doesn't have one of those plugs...my mechanic told me you need a OBDII controller that only the dealers have, and I was wondering if there was any way around buying one.

Check on the Brickboard FAQs.

All the best, Peter.

You do need an electronic tool that goes in through the OBD-II port, but dealers are not the only ones with them. There are several aftermarket ones available.

I think Autozone (a mass market parts place in the US) will scan the codes for you for free, perhaps they will also turn the light off for a picture of a historical figure like Andy Hamilton, say, or if you live in a classy area they might want to see just what Andy Jackson looks like.

Generic OBD-II readers will not turn off the service light. It's done through the OBD-II port, but the tool needs specific programming to turn the light off.

I thought the whole idea of OBD-II was so the cost of equipment was limited by standardization, allowing independent shops to repair modern cars without requiring the purchase of expensive equipment for every brand...No?

True, and independant shops can still scan the codes, diagnose the problem, and fix the problem; but dealers in their attempt to gain back a handle on the service industry have put in other things...like the annoying service lights...that can't be turned off with normal readers.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@microsoft.com says...

No. Although the OBDII standard establishes fault code retrieval over the various regional protocols it does not mandate access to proprietary data stored in all the various accessible systems. OBDII is restricted in that only codes in the standard table for powertrain management are accessible and can be reset or cleared. There are six modes or levels of access available in the standard that include monitoring and activation of individual components via the DLC (data link connector) but only a handful of scan tools have this capabilty mainly because of cost. The run of the mill scan tool for diagnostic work on domestic cars and a smattering of forign cars will run in the neighborhood of $10,000. That is with software that probably will not be valid for much other than code reading on cars built after 2002 or so. Software upgrades run on average $3000-$5000 a year. For Volvo VIDA you can buy a three day pass to access for one car for about $40.00, however, to download any info you need a VCT2000 (Volvo special toll $1500-3000 depending on new or used; a cable for connecting the VCT to the car another $1500) you must be using a laptop with a 9 pin serial port, running Windows XPPro SP2 or the VIDA software will not install. Now you can access, update, and reflash any system on the car. And this is not unique to Volvo. SAAB has their system, BMW theirs, Mercedes theirs, Land Rover theirs, VW/SEAT/Audi theirs and so on, you get the picture. So yeah, the cost is limited and even affordable if you happen to be doing around $3,000,000 a year in parts and labor. Otherwise, I would say it's somewhat expensive or more likely prohibitive for most small independent shops.

Bob