Volvo Link System Reference manual

Service Bulletin
Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
Greensboro, NC USA
Date Group No. Page
3.2002 397 001 1(32)
Trucks
Volvo Link System
Design and Troubleshooting
Satellite Communication System
W3004840
Volvo Link ECU
The Volvo Link System provides satellite communications between a driver and fleet. It
includes the Volvo Link ECU, GPS antenna, cable, and wiring harnesses. Some vehi-
cles also include a dash switch. This system allows communications between Volvo’s
Web based (fleet) software and the vehicle.
This information includes design and troubleshooting of the vehicle portion of the sys-
tem. For repair procedures, see service procedures in group 397. For fleet software
troubleshooting, see the software help file.
This information contains:
•
“System Operation” page 3
•
“Simplified Schematic” page 12
•
“System Definitions” page 13
•
“MID 142 Satellite Communication” page 14
PV776-TSP156441 USA10063

Page 2
Tools
Special Tools
See the special tool information in group 08 for ordering
instructions.
J-39200
Fluke Multimeter J-43234 30-pin Breakout Harness 9998551 with J-43340 60-pin Breakout Box with Overlay

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Date Group No. Page
Service Bulletin 3.2002 397 001 3(32)
Design and Function
System Operation
The Volvo Link System provides satellite communications between the driver and his
fleet home base. The hardware/software that is installed on the vehicle is discussed in
this bulletin. In order for the fleet home base to utilize the system, it must subscribe to
a web based service through Volvo. For information on the web based application and
subscription service, see the Volvo web site at
www.volvotrucks.us.com and look under the “Services”category.
The Volvo Link ECU is programmed differently for Cummins and Volvo engines. At the
time of the original installation in the vehicle, the Volvo Link ECU acquires the Vehicle
Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle in which it is installed. Replacement of the
ECU with one from another vehicle will not work. System checks within the ECU soft-
ware will recognize that the ECU is not in the proper vehicle and generate a notification
message. The Volvo Link ECU is connected to the J1587/1708 Information Data Link.
Incoming and outgoing messages are read on the instrument cluster graphic display
screen. Messages are sent and received through the vehicle’s radio antenna system.
The vehicle location is identified through a Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna
located in the passenger side mirror head. The ORBCOMM network of Low-Earth Orbit
satellites relays information between the vehicle and fleet.
Some vehicles may be equipped with a “Volvo Action Service”switch that, when acti-
vated, will send a message to Volvo requesting assistance and providing the vehicle
location.

Page 4
System Diagram
W3004841
Volvo Link System
AMultiplex Whip Antennas
BRAMI Antenna Multiplexer box
CGPS Antenna
D* Volvo Action Service Dash Switch
E* Switch Illumination
FRadio
*Switch is not available in all vehicles.

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Date Group No. Page
Service Bulletin 3.2002 397 001 5(32)
Sending and Receiving Messages
The system has the ability to send brief text messages
to and from the vehicle, similar to an e-mail system. It
uses the vehicle’s graphic display in the instrument clus-
ter for viewing and entering the messages.
The controls for the graphic display are the 4 buttons in
the stalk switch on the right side of the steering column.
1“Esc”(Escape) is used to return to the previous
menu and cancel a setting/operation.
2“↵”or “SELECT”confirms a highlighted selection of
a menu or character.
3“Up arrow”moves the cursor up and is used when
setting alpha-numeric values.
4“Down arrow”moves the cursor down and is used
when setting alpha-numeric values.
For more information on using the graphic display con-
trols, see the Operator’s Manual, or service information
on “Instrumentation”in group 38.
T3008810
Using the Graphic Display
1 The Volvo Link menu should be the first item shown
in the graphic display. Use the up/down buttons to
highlight it.
2 Press ↵to select Volvo Link.
3 After selecting Volvo Link, another screen will pop
up, offering the choice to send or read messages.
4 For instructions on sending and receiving mes-
sages, see the following:
•“Sending Messages from the Vehicle”page 8
•“Incoming Message Notification from Fleet”
page 6
•“Quick Response to Incoming Messages”page
7
•“Viewing Messages”page 7.
VOLVO LINK
"
GAUGES
FUEL ECONOMY
TIME/DIST
#
Read Messages
Send Messages

Page 6
Incoming Message Notification from Fleet
Messages are received at the vehicle from the fleet operator. When a message is re-
ceived by the Volvo Link ECU, the driver will be notified with the INFO lamp and a
message in the instrument cluster’s graphic display. The message will appear one of
the two following ways:
New Message in Volvo Link
or
Priority Message in Volvo Link
If in a driving situation where it is safe to do so, the driver can press the Esc button
when he/she sees the message.
Pressing the Esc button turns off the INFO lamp.
The driver can read the “New Message”the next time he stops the vehicle. Or the
driver can read a “Priority Message”while driving, provided the vehicle speed is below
55 mph.

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Date Group No. Page
Service Bulletin 3.2002 397 001 7(32)
Viewing Messages
To view all stored messages, select “Volvo Link,”then “Read Messages”in the cluster’s
graphic display.
The messages will display, one at a time, with the most recent message shown first.
Once the newest message is displayed, the driver can use the Up/Down buttons to
scroll through the other messages.
Up goes to the next (newer) message. If the newest message is being displayed, the
Up button wraps back to the oldest message.
Down goes to the previous (older) message. If the oldest message is being displayed,
the Down button wraps back to the newest message.
The message buffer will hold 5 messages. If the buffer is full and a new message is re-
ceived, the oldest message will be deleted.
While the vehicle is moving, the last message received is the only one that can be dis-
played, and only if it is a “Priority Message.”
If the driver has access or priority to see the message while driving, the message is
displayed. If not, the driver will see a message directing him to:
Stop Vehicle to Read Message
Quick Response to Incoming Messages
The driver has the option of a Quick Response to the most recent message in the
queue.
The quick response can be sent while driving.
From the message display screen, press ↵to access the Quick Response menu.
The Quick Response uses pre-defined text:
Yes/OK
No
Respond @ Next Stop

Page 8
Sending Messages from the Vehicle
The driver of the vehicle can send messages from the vehicle to the fleet. Messages
can be sent when the vehicle is stopped, but not while it is moving. If you attempt to
send a message when the vehicle is moving, an error message will display, and the
message will not be sent.
The driver can send 3 types of messages, as shown below. These options are se-
lectable from the graphic display.
•Defined Text
•Breakdown
•Free Text
The Defined and Breakdown message lists have approximately 10 message options
within each menu.
Defined Text messages:
Load picked up
Load delivered
Late: less than 1 h
Late: more than 1 h
Company defined 1
Company defined 2
Company defined 3
Company defined 4
Company defined 5
Breakdown messages:
This allows the driver to send breakdown messages along with the vehicle’s GPS loca-
tion back to his fleet, which can then help the driver by sending a service vehicle to his
location.
Towing needed
Tractor tire
Tractor electrical
Tractor air supply
Tractor drive train
Tractor others
Trailer tire
Trailer electrical
Trailer air supply
Trailer axles
Trailer others

Volvo Trucks North America, Inc. Date Group No. Page
Service Bulletin 3.2002 397 001 9(32)
Free Text:
Free text messages are sent as follows:
Select Free Text in the graphic display.
From the blank screen with a cursor, use the up/down arrows to scroll through the
numbers 0–9 and the alphabet to create your message, one character at a time.
Note: using the up arrow, you will scroll through 0–9, then A-Z. Using the down ar-
row, the order is reversed, and you will see Z-A, then 9–0.
For the first character, scroll up or down until you reach the letter/number desired,
then press the ↵button. Repeat for each character.
When finished with the message, press the ↵button and hold for 3 seconds to
send.
Note: if you make a mistake, press Esc to go back to the previous character. To
cancel sending a typed message, press Esc until the message is cleared from the
screen.
After a Message is Sent
After a message is sent, one of the following confirmations will appear on screen:
Message Sent
Sending Not Allowed
No Subscription
Message Sent confirms that the message was sent by the ECU.
If Sending Not Allowed shows on screen, the message was not sent. The reason for
this failure may be that the system is busy. Wait briefly and try sending the message
again. It may also be an indication that the Volvo Link ECU has been placed in the
wrong vehicle (see “Cannot Send or Receive Messages, but No Fault Code”page 31
for more information).
No Subscription indicates that messaging capabilities have been disabled by the fleet.
If Operation Failed appears on screen during an attempt to send a message, this is
either an indication of network congestion, or a system failure. See “MID 142 Satellite
Communication”page 14 for more information.

Page 10
Vehicle Log Data
Total miles, Total Idle Fuel used, Total Fuel used, Total Engine Idle hours, Total Engine
hours, Vehicle Location (GPS).
This data can be requested by the Web or can be set up in the Volvo Link ECU to be
sent at predetermined time intervals.
Data is recorded using the J1587/1708 data link on the vehicle.