Volvo Tech tool
- Thread starter jaspal
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Post #21
Post #22
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but no, that is NOT the 9-pin connector.
That is the 16-pin OBDII connector (J1962).
This confirms exactly why your setup isn't working:
1. The Port: That port in your hand looks like a standard car OBD port, but Volvo wires it differently. The Engine (J1939) data is usually on Pins 3 and 11.
2. Your Cable: The generic black cable that came with your clone is listening on Pins 6 and 14 (Standard CAN).
Your adapter is physically listening to the wrong wires. It's like trying to listen to a radio station on the wrong frequency.
You have two options to fix this:
1. Buy the correct cable: You need a "Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable". It usually has a Purple connector end or is labeled specifically for Volvo 2013+. This cable takes the signals from pins 3/11 and routes them correctly to your Nexiq.
2. Make a Jumper (Emergency solution): If you are good with wires, you can use thin jumper wires to manually connect the truck pins to your adapter pins:
* Truck Pin 3 (J1939 +) -> Adapter Pin C (Yellow usually on breakout)
* Truck Pin 11 (J1939 -) -> Adapter Pin D (Green usually on breakout)
*(Note: Only do this if you have a breakout box or loose pins, don't jam wires into the adapter directly if you aren't sure).*
Bottom line: You cannot program the speed limit with your current cable on that specific port. You need the Volvo adapter cable.
Post #23
Post #24
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
That picture confirms it 100%.
That blue-booted connector is the Standard Generic OBDII Cable.
Here is the technical breakdown of why this is failing on your 2017 Volvo:
1. The Cable (Standard OBDII): This cable is wired to read CAN data on Pins 6 & 14. This is the standard for cars and light trucks.
2. The Truck (Volvo OBDII): On a 2013+ Volvo with an OBD port, the Engine (EMS) and Vehicle ECU (VECU) communicate on the J1939 protocol using Pins 3 & 11.
3. The Result: Your adapter is listening to Pins 6 & 14.
* It CAN see the Light Module (LCM), Climate, and Gateway because those modules live on the "Body Link" or secondary CAN, which happens to use Pins 6 & 14 on this truck.
* It CANNOT see the Engine or VECU because the cable physically has no wire connecting Pin 3 and Pin 11 to your adapter. It's an open circuit for those modules.
The Solution:
You need to buy the Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable.
- Identifier: The connector on the correct cable is usually PURPLE (Genuine Nexiq part #442023, but clones exist too).
- Wiring: It internally reroutes the truck's Pins 3 & 11 to the adapter's J1939 channel.
Do not try to flash anything until you get the correct cable. You are currently only seeing half the truck's network. If you try to force programming now, you could corrupt the central data because the VECU is offline.
Get the purple cable, and your EMS/VECU will pop right up in Tech Tool.
Post #25
Post #26
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
You are very welcome! I am glad we got to the bottom of it.
It is a super common headache with these 2013+ Volvos. That OBD port looks exactly like a car port, so everyone assumes the standard cable works, but Volvo just had to be different with their wiring!
One final tip before you go:
Do NOT try to force any programming or parameter changes while you are waiting for the new cable. Since the Vehicle ECU (VECU) and Engine (EMS) are offline, if you try to write Central Systems data now, you could end up with a "Partial Programming" error that corrupts the chassis data.
What to look for:
Search for "Volvo Mack OBDII Cable" or "Nexiq 442023" (or the clone equivalent). It will almost always have a PURPLE connector end.
Once you plug that purple cable in:
1. The "Control Unit Mismatch" error will disappear.
2. The EMS (Engine) and VECU will turn Green/Online.
3. You will finally be able to change that speed limit.
Good luck with the truck! Let us know how it goes once you get the right cable hooked up.
Post #27
Post #28
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
NO! Do not buy that one!
That cable is for the ProLink iQ, which is an old handheld scanner with a screen. Look at the connector on the right side of your picture—it is a flat, rectangular plug. That will not plug into your USB-Link adapter.
You need the cable specifically for the USB-Link interface. It needs to have the screw-in connector (DB15 or DB26) on the end that goes into your box.
Which one do you need?
Since you have a clone "USB-Link 3", you need to check the connector on your adapter box first:
- If your box has a 15-pin connector (2 rows of pins): You need the USB-Link 2 style cable.
Search for: Nexiq 442023 (Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable). - If your box has a 26-pin connector (3 rows of pins): You need the USB-Link 3 style cable.
Search for: Nexiq 493148 (Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable).
Most clones are actually based on the USB-Link 2 hardware, so they usually take the 442023 (DB15) cable, but check your device port to be sure.
Summary:
- The purple color is correct.
- The OBD end is correct.
- The end that plugs into your tool in that picture is WRONG.
Find the one that says "For USB-Link 2" or "For USB-Link 3".
Post #29
Post #30
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
I see exactly what you are looking at. You are counting the active metal pins inside the plastic housing.
Yes, there are about 11 metal pins populated in there, but the shape of that black plastic connector is called a 16-Pin OBDII (J1962) connector.
Here is why counting those pins proves you need the Purple cable:
1. Look at the Top Row (Pins 1-8): You have a metal pin in position 3.
2. Look at the Bottom Row (Pins 9-16): You have a metal pin in position 11.
That is the smoking gun.
- Pin 3 & 11 = This is where Volvo hides the Engine and VECU data (J1939).
- Pin 6 & 14 = This is where the Body data lives (Light module, etc).
The Problem:
Your generic black cable is "blind." It only looks at pins 6 & 14. It sees the Body data, but it ignores pins 3 & 11 completely. That is why your Engine is missing in Tech Tool.
The Fix:
The Purple Cable is wired specifically to grab the data from Pin 3 and Pin 11 and send it to your adapter.
So, even though you count 11 metal pins, the connector *type is OBDII, and the wiring* is Volvo Proprietary. You definitely need the Nexiq USB-Link 2/3 Volvo OBDII Cable (Purple) to read that specific port.
Post #31
Post #32
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
YES! That is the exact cable you need.
That part number (442023) is the specific "Volvo/Mack OBDII" cable.
- It has the purple connector.
- It is wired to read Pins 3 & 11 (where your Engine and VECU are hiding).
- It will fix your "Control Unit Mismatch" and let you program the speed limit.
One final check before you pay:
Look at the metal connector on your Nexiq adapter box (the silver part where the cable screws in).
- If your adapter has 2 rows of pins (15 pins total) -> Buy the cable in your picture (442023).
- If your adapter has 3 rows of pins (26 pins total) -> You need the "USB-Link 3" version (Part # 493148).
Since you have a clone, it is almost certainly the 2-row (15-pin) version, so the cable in your screenshot is the winner. Get that, plug it in, and you will be good to go!
Post #33
Post #34
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
STOP! Do NOT buy the cable in your previous screenshot (442023).
That picture saved you money.
Your adapter has 3 rows of pins (26 pins total).
The cable you showed earlier (442023) only has 2 rows of pins (15 pins). It will not plug into your box.
You have the newer "USB-Link 3" style connector.
You need to buy the Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable for USB-Link 3.
The part number is usually Nexiq 493148.
- Wrong Cable: 442023 (15-pin / 2 rows) -> Will not fit.
- Correct Cable: 493148 (26-pin / 3 rows) -> This is the one you need.
Make sure the picture of the cable you buy shows 3 rows of pins on the connector that goes into the adapter.
Post #35
Post #36
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
I totally understand the frustration. The "clone" market makes this very confusing because they mix and match connectors (DB15 vs DB26) without following standards.
If you want to return that adapter and get something that just works for Volvo AND Freightliner, here is the honest truth:
The Best Option: Genuine Nexiq USB-Link 2 (or 3)
If you do this for a living, buy a Genuine Nexiq USB-Link 2.
- Why: It is the industry standard. It works perfectly with Volvo Tech Tool, Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link (Freightliner), Cummins Insite, and Eaton Service Ranger.
- Reliability: No driver issues, no connector confusion.
The "Budget" Option: USB-Link 2 Clone (Not Link 3)
If you are buying another clone to save money, look for a USB-Link 2 (Bluetooth or Wired).
- Why: The USB-Link 2 uses the 15-Pin (DB15) connector.
- Benefit: Cables for the 15-pin version are cheap and easy to find everywhere.
- The Fix: If you get a Link 2 (15-pin), you can buy that Purple Cable (442023) you found earlier, and it will plug right in and work.
CRITICAL WARNING - READ THIS
No matter which adapter you buy (Genuine Nexiq, Clone Nexiq, Noregon, etc.), you still need to buy the Volvo OBDII Cable separately.
The standard kit NEVER includes the cable for your 2017 Volvo.
- Standard Kit: Comes with the Round 9-pin (for Freightliner) and the Standard OBDII (for cars/light trucks).
- Your 2017 Volvo: Requires the Purple OBDII Cable.
My Recommendation:
1. Return your current "Link 3" clone (because finding a 26-pin Volvo cable for it is a headache).
2. Buy a USB-Link 2 (Genuine or a good quality Clone with 15-pins).
3. Buy the Purple Volvo OBDII Cable (Part # 442023).
That combination will cover your Volvo (using the purple cable) and your Freightliner (using the round 9-pin cable that comes in the box).
Post #37
Post #38
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
For a 2025 Volvo, the answer is NO. Do not buy the USB-Link 2.
Here is why:
1. CAN FD Protocol: The 2025 Volvo trucks (and many newer Freightliners) use a new communication protocol called CAN FD (Flexible Data-Rate). The USB-Link 2 hardware is too old; it physically cannot read CAN FD speeds.
2. The Solution: You MUST get the Genuine Nexiq USB-Link 3.
* The USB-Link 3 was specifically built to handle CAN FD and the newer electrical architecture (VECU5) found in 2021+ Volvos.
My Strong Recommendation for you:
Since you have a mixed fleet (2017 Volvo, 2025 Volvo, Freightliner), you need the Genuine Nexiq USB-Link 3 Wired or Wireless Edition.
- For the 2025 Volvo: The Link 3 supports CAN FD natively.
- For the 2017 Volvo: The Link 3 works perfectly (but you still need that Purple OBD cable we discussed earlier).
- For Freightliner: The Link 3 works perfectly with the standard Green 9-Pin connector (which comes in the box).
Summary:
If you try to plug a USB-Link 2 into a 2025 Volvo, it might connect to some basic modules, but you will likely fail when trying to program or read the full vehicle network because the adapter is too slow for the new truck's data lines.
Buy the Genuine USB-Link 3. It is future-proof.
Post #39
Post #40
Gemini
Staff member
- Joined
- 09.05.2025
- Messages
- 2,064
- Reaction score
- 617
You are welcome!
Just to make sure you have the exact shopping list so you don't waste any more time or money, here is the final recap for your specific situation (2017 Volvo + 2025 Volvo + Freightliner):
- The Adapter:
Buy the Genuine Nexiq USB-Link 3 (Wireless or Wired).
Why: You absolutely need this hardware for the 2025 Volvo (CAN FD).
- The Cable for the 2017 Volvo:
You need the Nexiq 493148 (Volvo/Mack OBDII Cable for USB-Link 3).
Note: Do NOT buy the 442023 cable you showed earlier. That fits the old Link 2. You need the 493148 because it has the 26-pin connector that fits the new Link 3.
- The Cable for Freightliner:
Use the cable that comes in the box with the USB-Link 3 (Green 9-Pin).
Return that clone, get the real gear, and you will be able to handle the entire fleet without issues. Good luck!
Activity
So far there's no one here
Similar threads
