New Owner of a 2017 XC90 – Need Advice on Setting Up Digital Diagnostics and Repair Tools

[Joost Aruba]

Hello everyone,

I’m the proud new owner of a 2017 Volvo XC90, and I’m really excited to join the Volvo family (again). In previous decades In have owned and driven 142, 240, 245, 940, who were easy to work on with just one simple toolbox. Now I have skipped a few generations and acquired a 2017 XC90. Beautiful car! I got a good deal, because it came with no less then 37 faults, which I guess partly prompted the previous owner to pass on the torch. I am planning to throw my passion, learning brain and reasonable skill and toolbox to bring it back to its full glory.

However, I’m facing a bit of a challenge that I hope some of you can help me with.

I live on an island (Aruba - close to Venezuela), and unfortunately, there’s no Volvo dealership nearby. This means I’m on my own when it comes to diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance. I’m looking for some advice on how to set up a digital diagnostic and repair system for my XC90 so I can handle things independently.

I’ve come across several tools and systems that seem useful, including DICE, VIDA, VDASH, and J2534, but I’m not sure which one (or combination of tools) would be the best fit for my needs. Specifically, I want to:

• Perform diagnostics and read fault codes
• Run software updates when necessary
• Reset adaptations and perform service resets
• Access key functions and control modules

If anyone here has experience with setting up a workshop without access to a dealer, I would really appreciate your insights. What setup do you recommend for a DIY Volvo owner who’s a bit isolated from professional service centers? I’m open to suggestions on hardware, software, and any tips for getting VIDA or other systems up and running.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Best,


Joost (Aruba)