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 !

Anyone???

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?

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 !!

No problem. I'm not 100% sure on the protocol. I keep reading different things about it.

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!

*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.

Congrats on the fix, but don't hold your breath on the reimbursement.