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#94169 scanner from harbor freight tools,about 39 bucks online or price matched if you have a store near by. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf
reads ,clears,shows i/m status for smog tests,sturdy and it does the job.
Data logging short of the sds machine http://www.autotap.com/
less then 200 bucks and the best one I have found to hook up to a laptop and really dig into the data values,real time and stored.Beyond the need of most casual diy'rs but comes in handy for those odd ball jobs that the gremlin is hard to locate.
70% of all diagnostics can probably be sorted out with the #94169
why do you want a data logger? ohlord
the star diagnostic is from mercedes and costs an arm and a leg.If you worked on benz all day for a living you might need it if you were a pro or got one for cheap somehow.Autotap does much the same thing for far less.
If you are just maintaining the car properly and get the occasional cel warning,the hand held from hb freight is perfect.
ohlord
autotap does not do "much" the same as SDS. AutoTap runs off the OBDII connector and is just computerized OBDII reader with some added functions. SDS (which is connected to the round connector in your engine bay) allows you to version code, pull up model specific codes, change attributes etc. Its completely different. AutoTap is a generic OBD II reader that can read some engine parameters, but it is in no way shape or form as comprehensive as SDS. You cannot change any parameters with AutoTap.
E-ZGO 53hp., 1999 E 430 sport, 2004 E 55, 2008 Tahoe LTZ on 24"s
Originally Posted by ohlord
the star diagnostic is from mercedes and costs an arm and a leg.If you worked on benz all day for a living you might need it if you were a pro or got one for cheap somehow.Autotap does much the same thing for far less.
If you are just maintaining the car properly and get the occasional cel warning,the hand held from hb freight is perfect.
ohlord
i
OK Thanks, that is what I thought, Star diagnostics is exclusive to Mercedes Benz and I understand dealers have to pay a monthly fee for its use and the Star machine is on a lease. The Independents that are big enough may have a star machine as well and pay $ame fee as dealers.
it a rest husk.
If I want to look up model specific codes,I have a complete chart.
If he wanted to change injector pulse width he is no average backyard diy'er.
I pointed that out in the post above
"If you worked on benz all day for a living you might need it if you were a pro"
For the in depth diagnostics that are hard to track down and are beyond the scope of the simple HHT the autotap is at least as capable as the star machine costing thousands more.
Body codes,powertrain codes,chassis codes,real time fuel curves,voltages,o2 function,maf functions.
I have had fellow members drop by my home shop and tracked down problems with the AT and a hand held that the dealer with the star machine was so far off base it not only did not solve the problem it had cost the member a ton of money on a needless repair.We diagnosed the problems and solved the issue and off down the road
The star machine has it's uses for sure,just not much use in the average enthusiast's Garage.
ohlord
http://www.autotap.com/
less then 200 bucks and the best one I have found to hook up to a laptop and really dig into the data values,real time and stored.Beyond the need of most casual diy'rs but comes in handy for those odd ball jobs that the gremlin is hard to locate.
70% of all diagnostics can probably be sorted out with the #94169
According to Autotap, they don't sell it any more. What replaces it in its price range? Have SDS prices come down? Is there software I can use with my new OBDLink LX (Bluetooth) or any other supposedly reliable supported (in English) tool that can diagnose my W211's misfires, shaking engine, etc.? (I have a slightly shaking stuttering engine, but nothing comes up in Torque-BHP or OBDLink Android).
Last edited by Ulmo; 01-09-2015 at 12:04 AM.
Reason: specify chassis model; formatting
If you have any computer skills, you can put a DAS Xentry system, aka SDS with a PART D mux together for 600 bucks---then it will take a month or two to learn the system.
misfires---have you done any investigating yourself(stickies/google) or are you relying on 7 year old HS!!
it a rest husk.
If I want to look up model specific codes,I have a complete chart.
If he wanted to change injector pulse width he is no average backyard diy'er.
I pointed that out in the post above
"If you worked on benz all day for a living you might need it if you were a pro"
For the in depth diagnostics that are hard to track down and are beyond the scope of the simple HHT the autotap is at least as capable as the star machine costing thousands more.
Body codes,powertrain codes,chassis codes,real time fuel curves,voltages,o2 function,maf functions.
I have had fellow members drop by my home shop and tracked down problems with the AT and a hand held that the dealer with the star machine was so far off base it not only did not solve the problem it had cost the member a ton of money on a needless repair.We diagnosed the problems and solved the issue and off down the road
The star machine has it's uses for sure,just not much use in the average enthusiast's Garage.
ohlord
ohLord,
Love the name....
Any update on this and especially for the 320 CDI. Will the HF tool give anything diesel related?
I'm coming from diesel VW and have the Vag Com software which is specific to VW obviously.
Anything in similar price range for MB?
I finally found my car. Just drove it home this evening. Clean car fax two previous owners. First four years of life in Florida remainder in CT.
Quick question, why does it not have the Bluetec Badge or did they stop labeling them certain year?
Or is it a Bluetec ? My wife is gone with it and it's dark now anyway so to do further investigating .
So guess I will be hanging out here doing some more reading. No stranger to Diesels as I have an 05 VWpassat I converted to 5 speed. Currently showing 276K miles.
See what you can dig up? It actually does have the bluetec badge. My wife drove it home on Highway and I Didn't spend much time behind her.
Going to do an oil change and check filters at weelkend. Dash shows 51 days past service.
Does this model have a drain plug or do I have to use suction to get oil out?
Thanks Plutoe.
Forgive me if I mistakenly led you to believe I was some wall st guru that never got his fingernails dirty.
That naivety is not something that dwells under this roof. Im no stranger to mechanics and actually restored this 123 with my son.
It was his first car in high school and he loved it.
I've researched the Bluetec and the older cast iron inline 6 and followed the discussion here .
I'm well aware f the oil cooler leak that will develop at some poin and the particulate filter.
I also have a TDI Passat that I personally converted to a 5 speed I brought over from Holland.
So NO I didn't buy the car on a badge hunch .
I thought maybe you had access to the database to sho service record from mercedes and that's why you need the VIN.
02-02-2008, 01:03 PM
