C-Class (W203) 2001-2007, C160, C180, C200, C220, C230, C240, C270, C280, C300, C320, C230K, C350, Coupe

2004 c230 - OBD Port not working.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Sep 6, 2012 | 10:42 AM
  #1  
2004-C230's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
C230 2004.1
2004 c230 - OBD Port not working.

Quick setup - I decided to check out Progressive Insurance's SNAPSHOT discount program. Basically, they send out a tiny device that hooks up to the OBD port to monitor driving habits and accordingly give discounts.

I received the 3 snapshot devices in the mail (I have 2 other cars). The devices worked (lights up) when installed in the other two cars (not Mercedes).

However, the OBD port in my 2004 C230 sedan seems to not be receiving any power ... device LED does not light up.

On a related note can someone tell me where the fuse box is located near the steering wheel ... I looked and could not find any fuse box near the steering wheel. Perhaps the fuse to the circuit that provides power to the OBD port is blown?

any and all help is appreciated !
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2012 | 03:36 PM
  #2  
2004-C230's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
C230 2004.1
Anyone???
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2012 | 03:45 PM
  #3  
tommy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
That fusebox is accessible when the driver's door is open; it's on the inside end of the dash; it'll be obvious when you look at the end of the dash with the door open.

I'm not sure what the problem is, honestly - will a code reader work on the port?
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2012 | 04:05 PM
  #4  
jetta02awp's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
I did a little research about this in the past hour or so and here are some things that I came up with...

Apparently it is a rebranded Davis Automotive "CarChip" as stated from the link below.

http://hackaday.com/2008/06/28/progr...rate-hackable/

...and can be purchased here

http://www.davisnet.com/drive/produc...p_products.asp

So I was reading about it and I saw a link for exclusions (car that it won't work on)

http://www.davisnet.com/drive/produc...lusionsPro.pdf

IIRC the correct protocol for MB is not listed in the PDF which would explain why it would not work.

Did you try taking the car to somewhere like Autozone and try their generic OBDII scanner to see if it works? Those scanners are designed to work with all OBDII protocols.
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2012 | 04:28 PM
  #5  
2004-C230's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
C230 2004.1
Originally Posted by jetta02awp
I did a little research about this in the past hour or so and here are some things that I came up with...

Apparently it is a rebranded Davis Automotive "CarChip" as stated from the link below.

http://hackaday.com/2008/06/28/progr...rate-hackable/

...and can be purchased here

http://www.davisnet.com/drive/produc...p_products.asp

So I was reading about it and I saw a link for exclusions (car that it won't work on)

http://www.davisnet.com/drive/produc...lusionsPro.pdf

IIRC the correct protocol for MB is not listed in the PDF which would explain why it would not work.

Did you try taking the car to somewhere like Autozone and try their generic OBDII scanner to see if it works? Those scanners are designed to work with all OBDII protocols.
Great info. I will take it to AutoZone and see if their scanner can handshake. Thanks !!
Reply
Old Sep 7, 2012 | 05:57 PM
  #6  
jetta02awp's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
Originally Posted by 2004-C230
Great info. I will take it to AutoZone and see if their scanner can handshake. Thanks !!
No problem. I'm not 100% sure on the protocol. I keep reading different things about it.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2012 | 05:21 PM
  #7  
deuxslow's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 149
Likes: 1
From: OC california
W215
Autozone and other auto part stores are no longer allowed to hand out OBD scanners anymore in California...but you can still purchase a $50 scanner at Harbor Freight (I have one and works very well even in a Mercedes)

Anyway...as for the OBD port not working, chances are it's just a fuse.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2012 | 11:42 PM
  #8  
jetta02awp's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From: Eastlake, OH
2002 C230 Coupe Kompressor 6mt
Originally Posted by deuxslow
Autozone and other auto part stores are no longer allowed to hand out OBD scanners anymore in California...but you can still purchase a $50 scanner at Harbor Freight (I have one and works very well even in a Mercedes)

Anyway...as for the OBD port not working, chances are it's just a fuse.
Geez, I thought Cali sucked before, but not being able to goto and auto parts store to scan you car to save a few bucks makes it even worse!
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 13, 2012 | 11:42 AM
  #9  
2004-C230's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
C230 2004.1
*SOLVED*

Chronology of events ...
- Went to AutoZone and the very helpful technician hooked up a diagnostic meter to the OBD-II port ... no signal. He determined the socket had no power.
- Came home and opened the fuse panel (drivers side dashboard). Inside was a fuse map. It matches the fuse map posted here ...
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w203...e-diagram.html
- Fuse 62 is designated as "Diagnostic Socket".
- Fuse 62 is also shared by Brake Lights. But Brake Lights work fine. And it is shared by tons of other stuff like ESC, ABS etc. etc. It all works fine.
- I did not bother to check the fuse since all the other stuff that depend on that fuse ... were fully functional.
- Called MB dealership and explained the situation. They asked to bring it in but they would charge a diagnostic fee of $85.00. I said fine.
- Took the car into the dealership today .. waited for an hour. The technician returned with the news that the problem was resolved ... Fuse number 61 was broken. I was confused but not make a fuss and paid the $85.00 fee.
- Confirmed that the OBD port works (Snapshot device is lit up fine).
- Came home and looked at the fuse map. Fuse 61 is for Transmission. Had I been made aware that Fuse 61 is also responsible for the Diagnostic port ... I would have fixed the issue myself.
- Called Mercedes Benz USA to complain that I did due diligence and abided by what was shown in the fuse map and should therefore be reimbursed.
- They will research and call back.

Last edited by 2004-C230; Sep 13, 2012 at 11:49 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2012 | 02:14 PM
  #10  
tommy's Avatar
Out Of Control!!
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,067
Likes: 11
From: Westwood, NJ
2004 Civic Si. FWD for the Win!
Congrats on the fix, but don't hold your breath on the reimbursement.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:19 AM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE