07-16-2023, 05:29 PM
If you are new to Volvo/Polestar you may have questions about PINs...
The way the car and ECUs are secured in a Volvo is similar to other manufacturers, but also some things are specific to the way Volvo does things.
OrBit can change "configurations" or also what is sometimes called "coding" on a supported Volvo or Polestar car. That is the reason 99.9% of people buy OrBit ;-) OrBit is the tool, but also you need security access to your car to be able to modify configuration. Various modules and parts of the software in the car are secured with something called a "PIN" in the Volvo world. PINs are like a password. There are many PINs to access different parts of the car, but for most you will be concerned only with the PINs to change configuration.
The configuration is stored in the Central Electronic Module (CEM), and access is required to the CEM that allows that config to be changed. Volvo was has been using "unique" CEM PINs for a many generations of cars. Other mfrs you are familiar with may have not used "unique" access secrets in the past, but most have started to do this lately, it has become more common. Each car has a different CEM PIN. Volvo knows it, VIDA uses the PINs for service access, but owners are not given security access secrets to their own car. To get access you need to obtain the needed unique PIN(s) for your own car. There are two different requirements for PINs needed within the "SPA" and "CMA" chassis generation of Volvo and Polestar.
1. "Sensus" car - All Volvos (and Polestar 1) SPA/CMA with the Sensus infotainment system.
2. "Android" car - All Volvos (and Polestar 2) SPA/CMA with the newer Android (aka Google, AAOS, or "iCup") infotainment system.
You have a couple options normally to obtain the PINs:
You're in for about $100 USD to DIY, for the 3 day subscription to VIDA based on what a North American car owner has available. The PIN Service is $125 for the Sensus car (CEM PIN) and $225 USD for the Android car (CEM/VGM PINs). So you can decide on time vs money what's worth it for you. In any case, getting the PINs is a one time thing only. The PINs will not change for the life of the car, even hardware replacement (like new CEM installed with VIDA) the same PIN is written to the CEM.
There are other ways to obtain PINs that are out of the scope of OrBit. Some shops have hardware and tools to read modules like the CEM when removed from the car, and can retrieve the PIN information directly from the hardware. If you know a shop that can do this, or if you already have PINs obtained from this method or any other way, you can enter the PIN(s) into OrBit.
The way the car and ECUs are secured in a Volvo is similar to other manufacturers, but also some things are specific to the way Volvo does things.
OrBit can change "configurations" or also what is sometimes called "coding" on a supported Volvo or Polestar car. That is the reason 99.9% of people buy OrBit ;-) OrBit is the tool, but also you need security access to your car to be able to modify configuration. Various modules and parts of the software in the car are secured with something called a "PIN" in the Volvo world. PINs are like a password. There are many PINs to access different parts of the car, but for most you will be concerned only with the PINs to change configuration.
The configuration is stored in the Central Electronic Module (CEM), and access is required to the CEM that allows that config to be changed. Volvo was has been using "unique" CEM PINs for a many generations of cars. Other mfrs you are familiar with may have not used "unique" access secrets in the past, but most have started to do this lately, it has become more common. Each car has a different CEM PIN. Volvo knows it, VIDA uses the PINs for service access, but owners are not given security access secrets to their own car. To get access you need to obtain the needed unique PIN(s) for your own car. There are two different requirements for PINs needed within the "SPA" and "CMA" chassis generation of Volvo and Polestar.
1. "Sensus" car - All Volvos (and Polestar 1) SPA/CMA with the Sensus infotainment system.
- These cars need the "CEM PIN" (this is the common term as it is known in the Volvo world).
2. "Android" car - All Volvos (and Polestar 2) SPA/CMA with the newer Android (aka Google, AAOS, or "iCup") infotainment system.
- These cars need the "CEM PIN" same as a Sensus car.
- And also they need a "VGM PIN", required to unlock a new Diagnostic Firewall for advanced functions, this was introduced with the Android system.
You have a couple options normally to obtain the PINs:
- "DIY" process where you subscribe to the service software (Volvo or Polestar VIDA) then run a process on the car with that and capture the PIN information which you can "crack" with OrBit. That process is described here: https://forums.spaycetech.com/showthread.php?tid=2. This is a good process for those who have access to VIDA, North American users especially and some others in the rest of the world may have access though that is more difficult where there are no right-to-repair laws for consumers.
- The "PIN Service" option, we can get the PINs for you, no work needed on your part. We get the PINs needed with the VIN of the car.
You're in for about $100 USD to DIY, for the 3 day subscription to VIDA based on what a North American car owner has available. The PIN Service is $125 for the Sensus car (CEM PIN) and $225 USD for the Android car (CEM/VGM PINs). So you can decide on time vs money what's worth it for you. In any case, getting the PINs is a one time thing only. The PINs will not change for the life of the car, even hardware replacement (like new CEM installed with VIDA) the same PIN is written to the CEM.
There are other ways to obtain PINs that are out of the scope of OrBit. Some shops have hardware and tools to read modules like the CEM when removed from the car, and can retrieve the PIN information directly from the hardware. If you know a shop that can do this, or if you already have PINs obtained from this method or any other way, you can enter the PIN(s) into OrBit.
