I have used the search function but still don't feel I know enough to make a good scanner selection.

I live on Vancouver Island in Canada. I bought a 2012 C63 AMG about 2 weeks ago, with just 43,389 km (26,901 miles) on it. I live in a condo building, where working on a vehicle in the underground garage is strictly prohibited by condo bylaws, and since I was elected to the condo council, I need to set an appropriate compliance example, despite the fact that I am historically a hotrodder of both cars and motorcycles, capable of a lot of normal maintenance work and minor mods, and very comfortable reading diagnostic results.

The Mercedes dealership in Nanaimo, near my home, where I bought the car treated me well during the sales process, and at least one forum member has had a good decade-long relationship with them, and the pricing examples he provided looked reasonable. So, I plan to use the dealership for my maintenance and repair needs.

But, I would like to be able to at least decipher codes if they appear, and perhaps do what I can in visual diagnostics or simple plug-n-play parts replacement, without obviously violating the no-car-work rule, possible even doing so in a friend's garage where necessary. If nothing else, a decent scanner would at least tell me whether any given code that appears on the dash merits instant "stop using the car and get it towed" or simply "go to the MB dealer sometime soon".

I am not planning at this time to get a Euroworks or other tune, simply because, to close the deal on this car where the factory warranty had expired (5 years since service date), the dealership threw in a pretty deluxe aftermarket 4-year warranty (normal cost is just under $3k). While I trust the dealership, I don't want to provide the warranty company with any excuse to decline any warrantable repair that might occur. Also, my car does have the 923 power increase, and so a tune is less beneficial anyway. And, I'm told, repairing some items on a C63 could get pretty costly. Therefore, I'm not even looking at whether or not buying a tune with installer tool could be another way of getting a code reader, and saving some money by combining the 2 tools.

Given all the above, what code reader / scanner makes the most sense for me?

Jim G

 

If you're looking for:
o Reading most/all of the MB W204 scan codes
o Simple resetting/clearing of errors/DTC
o Small, portable, not "obvious"

Then get the iCarSoft MB scanner. In US dollars at Amazon US, it's ~$170.
It looks like it's ~$250 in dollars in Canadian dollars through Amazon.ca.





Product Web Page:
http://www.icarsoft.com/web/icarsoft...48eyzy9_1.html



Amazon Canada Web page:
iCarsoft
iCarsoft MB II for Mercedes Benz / Sprinter / Smart professional diagnostic tool scanner- NEW VERSION
5.0 out of 5 stars 3 customer reviews | 3 answered questions
Price: CDN$ 249.00 FREE SHIPPING.
Usually ships within 6 to 10 days.




Amazon USA Web page:
iCarsoft
iCarSoft Mercedes/Smart MB II
4.0 out of 5 stars 55 customer reviews | 255 answered questions
Price: $160.00
Plug the diagnostic scanner into the OBD II port and the device will boot up with step-by-step instructions.
Compatible Vehicles (Please consult wikipedia.org if you are unsure of your body/chassis style, scanner will not work with your vehicle if it is not listed)
OBDII Functions Include: (all makes and models OBDII compliant)

1. Read Codes
2. Erase Codes
3. I/M Readiness -- I/M Readiness indicates whether or not the various emissions-related systems on the vehicle are operating properly and are ready for Inspection and Maintenance testing.
4. Data Stream
5. Freeze Frame -- When an emission-related fault occurs, certain vehicle conditions are recorded by the on-board computer
17. DTCs search
18.Supports all the OBDII/EOBD test modes include: CAN, ISO9141, KWP2000, J1850 VPW and J1850 PWM.
19.Works on all 2001 and later OBDII compliant PETROL European market vehicles
20.Works on all 2004 and later OBDII compliant DIESEL European market vehicles
21.Works on most 1996 and later OBDII compliant US and Asian market vehicles
Body AB (Air Bag) ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm) PTS (Parktronic System) EIS (Electronic Ignition Switch) SEM (Security Module) PSE (Pneumatic System Equipment) OCP (Overhead Control Panel) LCP (Lower Control Panel) SAM (Signal acquisition and actuation module) SAM-FL (Front left signal acquisition and actuation module) SAM-FR (Front right signal acquisition and actuation module) SAM-F (Signal acquisition and actuation module front) UCP (Upper Control Panel) HRA (Headlamp Range Adjustment)


Youtube review by Mercedes Medic:
Review of iCarsoft MB II OBD 2 Diagnostic Scanner
Mercedes Medic


.

 

Personally I would just a cheap one for like $30. Scans the code and can clear. Does what it needs to do if you just want to scan codes and see what's going on.

 

The cheap OBD-II scanners often don't scan the SAM units, and have spotty/poor coverage/reporting/real-time-data for things like the ABS and tranny.

Also, MB has CAN controllers in "just about everything". That means the windows, the climate control, the lights, etc.
The generic OBD-II scanners can't decode those errors.


For generic OBD-II scanning abilities, I agree that an Android app like Torque Pro ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...g.prowl.torque ) and a Bluetooth OBD-II adapter does a lot!.

 

https://youtu.be/b6W3AUS76Pg

 

Wow, RedGray, this was really nice of you to go through the process of assembling all this content, including that really good video. Thank-you so much. This is one of the scanners mentioned prominently in the research I did on the forum and in Google prior to posting my question here, so your recommendation reinforces what I thought I was seeing elsewhere too.

I appreciate this.

Jim G

 

Flarearrow, this one too was very helpful, with an entirely different primary focus - customized data acquisition and customized post-run presentation. This goes ina different direction than I had been thinking, but is nevertheless eyeopening. Thank-you!

Jim G

 

Hey Jim,

Welcome, and beautiful coupe!

Myself and a few others on this forum (jptaylor, etc) have been very happy with the capabilities of Carly for Mercedes. They're a German company known for their apps on the BMW platform as well. They have a bespoke dongle that is ~$30USD on Amazon, and a phone app with Pro license that is another ~$30USD. Check this following thread for jptaylor's screenshots and assessment, as well as mine: https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...led-carly.html

If you go this route:
-Make sure you select Series 204 C Notchback/Van selection which accesses the most systems (more than other apps out there, perhaps even more than some dedicated stand alone scanners).
-Ensure you are not driving while it is reading, in diagnostic mode. Just have the engine running and car stationary and parked.
-Codes are cleared with relative ease.

Hope this helps

 

Wow! If I undertsnad the thread you referenced, and the 2 videos within it:

- Your car's data is sent to your iPhone? Is this via Bluetooth? I ask because the 2nd video seems to say it is via wifi, and I don't get how that would be done

- Can the displayed data on the iPhone be captured in a data file that I can review and show to a repair technician?

- Can I take a screenshot of the display on the iPhone screen to show to a repair technician?

- I need to buy TWO components with this solution, right? The adpator device that goes into the OBD II port and the app that goes on the iPhone, right? Total cost of ? currently?

- Can it now really push messages to the steering wheel display system?? (Implied somewhere in the thread)

- What DISadvantages would it have versus the iCarSoft MB II? (Besides needing a separate iPhone or Android device)

I love the features and the text descriptions of what each code is telling you about what's wrong. Looks pretty good!

Jim G

 

I'm currently using the icarsoft mb 2 scanner and love it. It allows you to read all the MB modules, read and clear the faults for the module, and you can stream real time data of all the sensors in that particular module, i.e. if you're servicing the transmission you can read the transmission temperature sensor. I tried the Torque app with wifi scanner since I have an iPhone but prefer using the icarsoft. The icarsoft is right below the MB Star unit in functionality and a lot cheaper.

 

Does the specificity of the iCarSoft MB II scanner to Mercedes give it diagnostic advantages over the Carly?

Jim G

 

No issues with the Launch Easy Diag 2.0

https://mbworld.org/forums/c63-amg-w...-2-0-plus.html

 

Ok, another contender I guess.

Jim G

 

In researching "Carly", I am only seeing "Carly for BMW". Is the version that also works on Mercedes, or ??

Jim G

 

http://www.mycarly.com/product/mercedes-app/

Their adapter may just be a rebranded ELM327

 

no problem. I forgot which brand of bluetooth OBD II connector I bought from Amazon, but its the one that's compatible with the Torque app. I have not tried plugging it into my Benz yet, I have to admit. But it has worked and interfaced with an early 2000s Honda Oddysey, an 05 Mazda 6, my current 16 Mazda CX5, and a friend's late 90s Saturn LS sedan.

 

I found sites today that suggest that Torque only works with Android phones, and not with Apple iOS phones. If so, that rules Torque out as both my phone and my computer are Apple.

Jim G

 

Correct.
https://torque-bhp.com/wiki/Main_Page

 

The short answer to all your questions is Yes.

I have Android, so unfortunately don't have experience on with Carly's iPhone app, but I believe there are 2 versions of the dongle, one with BT for Android, another with WiFi for iPhone connection. The iPhone dongle should work as advertised, but i suggest you read first hand reviews from iPhone users. My Android BT dongle works flawlessly.

Data is captured in 2 comprehensive Log files that you can select to be emailed to yourself, one for a Fault Report, another for Engine Parameter. You can then use these log file PDFs to print out and submit to technician, etc.

Yes, you will need to purchase two items for what they claim will be FULL functionality (both the full Pro license within the phone app, and the iPhone compatible dongle). Altho word on the street is that other dongles may work just as well. My own previous dongle broke, so I personally opted to purchase Carly's bespoke one. Total is as previously mentioned: approximately $30 + $30 USD for both app and dongle

Push Notifications: I haven't used this feature yet, but i'd ask jptaylor and Carly if it works.

Disadvantages: can't think of any, but then i don't know the full capabilities of the iCarSoft platform, and how many modules it can access vs the Carly unit. Also, Carly is less than half the cost of iCarSoft, so it's a cheap experiment

 

Thank-you! I appears to me that at least for a Canadian buyer like me, the only way to buy the Carly-specific dongle is from Carly's website which looks like it ships from Germany. I think I WILL try the Carly solution.

Jim G

 

Anytime, Jim. Hope it works out well for you.

But heed this aforementioned warning carefully:

Ensure you are not driving while it is reading, in diagnostic mode. Just have the engine running and car stationary and parked. Power steering will cut out. Ask me how I know

I'd be curious to know how many ECU modules you can access when you start diagnosing with Carly. I am up to 33 with Series 204 C Notchback/Van menu selection.

 

Ok, I ordered the hardware piece from Carly in Germany (Amazon.ca only offers the "Carly for BMW" version, and I was not sure whether that is the same or different than the Mercedes version.)

The free Carly app on my iPhone advises to NOT order the full-featured app until after you have tested the connectivity of the hardware unit with your specific car and phone, by pushing the "Connect" button on the app screen and seeing if you successfully get a connection.

I am unclear as to the "Ensure you are not driving while it is reading, in diagnostic mode" warning you provided. Does this mean that:

1. You can never use the Carly hardware and app while the car is in motion,

OR

2. You cannot use the Carly app "diagnostic" mode (only) while the car is in motion?

Jim G

 

Do not drive car or have car in motion while Carly is in Diagnostic mode, retrieving fault codes.

 

Clarifying my question:

But it's ok to be in motion in any OTHER mode other than "Diagnostic"?

Does the app provide, for example, parameter monitoring modes, or "instrument display" modes (e.g. AFR display, IAT monitoring, Gs display etc), beyond the diagnostic modes?

Or, is it ONLY a diagnostic tool?

Jim G

 

Jim, you should be good to go with the other modes, esp Parameter and Push, but I really can't speak for other modes as I solely use Carly for Diagnostics. I would shoot them and jptaylor a message to get that sorted