Good thing is the shop I go to lets me use the code reader...
Stop paying for diagnostics!!!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Stop paying for diagnostics!!!
If your check engine light is on and you go to the dealer to get it checked, STOP! Get this instead. After one use, it's payed for. I got one yesterday. I'll tell you how it is when it comes in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6754
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...&category=6754
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,104
Likes: 0
From: Rocklin, California
2011 GL450
It doesn't fix your car.
All it does is read the error code.
And turn off the check engine light (Which doesn’t fix the problem).
You will also need a list of error codes. It's up to you to decipher the error code. Some of these can be pretty vague. If you can figure out the real problem and not the related problem or assumed problem. Then you have to figure out how to tell the system that you have fixed the code. Some of the systems can verify that the problem has been corrected.
If you buy one of these, realize that it basically just reports the error code. You will still need to have the car serviced by a competent technician.
Best of luck to ya,
Tim
All it does is read the error code.
And turn off the check engine light (Which doesn’t fix the problem).
You will also need a list of error codes. It's up to you to decipher the error code. Some of these can be pretty vague. If you can figure out the real problem and not the related problem or assumed problem. Then you have to figure out how to tell the system that you have fixed the code. Some of the systems can verify that the problem has been corrected.
If you buy one of these, realize that it basically just reports the error code. You will still need to have the car serviced by a competent technician.
Best of luck to ya,
Tim
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: The President must win the Peace
Originally posted by Timster
It doesn't fix your car.
All it does is read the error code.
And turn off the check engine light (Which doesn’t fix the problem).
You will also need a list of error codes. It's up to you to decipher the error code. Some of these can be pretty vague. If you can figure out the real problem and not the related problem or assumed problem. Then you have to figure out how to tell the system that you have fixed the code. Some of the systems can verify that the problem has been corrected.
If you buy one of these, realize that it basically just reports the error code. You will still need to have the car serviced by a competent technician.
Best of luck to ya,
Tim
It doesn't fix your car.
All it does is read the error code.
And turn off the check engine light (Which doesn’t fix the problem).
You will also need a list of error codes. It's up to you to decipher the error code. Some of these can be pretty vague. If you can figure out the real problem and not the related problem or assumed problem. Then you have to figure out how to tell the system that you have fixed the code. Some of the systems can verify that the problem has been corrected.
If you buy one of these, realize that it basically just reports the error code. You will still need to have the car serviced by a competent technician.
Best of luck to ya,
Tim
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,211
Likes: 2
From: Laguna Niguel, CA
Seems like a useless toy.
I use software and cable from www.obd-2.com and it works great. You can scan all the sensors and help diagnose problems, not just look at and clear codes. For example I can look at O2 sensor voltages, intake air temp, coolant temps, MAF airflow readings, timing advance, etc... It also keeps a log of your run that you can play back after you go on a ride. This helps with intermittent problems. The codes it shows are more than just a number, it includes a text description. Also shows codes that didn't quite trip the check engine light yet. It costs a little more but it's worth it and they give you diagnostic support if you find a code you don't understand.
I use software and cable from www.obd-2.com and it works great. You can scan all the sensors and help diagnose problems, not just look at and clear codes. For example I can look at O2 sensor voltages, intake air temp, coolant temps, MAF airflow readings, timing advance, etc... It also keeps a log of your run that you can play back after you go on a ride. This helps with intermittent problems. The codes it shows are more than just a number, it includes a text description. Also shows codes that didn't quite trip the check engine light yet. It costs a little more but it's worth it and they give you diagnostic support if you find a code you don't understand.
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Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
2000 F-150 XLT Sport Crew Cab
The only point i see for this, is if you are trying to sell your car and your check engine light is on...Which of course that is wrong, but people do wrong things in this world...Besides that, i dont see going around a problem, cause if you go around a problem, your only giving yourself a bigger problem.
Be careful guys, i dont wanna hear your cars blew up
Be careful guys, i dont wanna hear your cars blew up
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 488
Likes: 0
From: Club202.com
1998 C43
Hmmm.......based on the last few posts, it seems that some of you are under the impression that we (people who are interested in this diagnostic thing) would dare to use it as a cure for our cars when the engine light turns on.
Speaking fo myself, no way in hell I would use this to "fix" an engine light problem! I think it is a useful tool if you are curious about what is causing the engine light sensor to go off. It helps by informing the owner what the problem MIGHT be, and at least you have some sort of idea when going to the Stealership. With some of the shady things I have read and even encountered with Stealerships, I would feel a little piece of mind kinda knowing what to expect.
Case in point, I was having some problems with my car starting on the first try. I took my car to the local dealership and they said I needed my flywheel greased and yada yada...$480. Fortunately for me, I had to leave the country a few days before my scheduled service. When I got back, I took it to have a second opinion. My other mechanic took a look at my car, heard me try and start it, and finally broke out his voltmeter. He suggested to replace my battery b/c it's voltage was dropping and the battery was a few years old. No problem since the new battery, only cost $118.
I know this story was slightly off from the topic, but I think you will see my point. A tool like this OBD II scanner will not fix anything, it can just give you a heads up to your problems. For about $50 at least you may get some insight, which in turn may save a $ or 2.
Regards,
DLS
Speaking fo myself, no way in hell I would use this to "fix" an engine light problem! I think it is a useful tool if you are curious about what is causing the engine light sensor to go off. It helps by informing the owner what the problem MIGHT be, and at least you have some sort of idea when going to the Stealership. With some of the shady things I have read and even encountered with Stealerships, I would feel a little piece of mind kinda knowing what to expect.
Case in point, I was having some problems with my car starting on the first try. I took my car to the local dealership and they said I needed my flywheel greased and yada yada...$480. Fortunately for me, I had to leave the country a few days before my scheduled service. When I got back, I took it to have a second opinion. My other mechanic took a look at my car, heard me try and start it, and finally broke out his voltmeter. He suggested to replace my battery b/c it's voltage was dropping and the battery was a few years old. No problem since the new battery, only cost $118.
I know this story was slightly off from the topic, but I think you will see my point. A tool like this OBD II scanner will not fix anything, it can just give you a heads up to your problems. For about $50 at least you may get some insight, which in turn may save a $ or 2.
Regards,
DLS
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
I don't think a lot of you know what this is. You hook it up to your obd II connector, it gives you the code, which you look up in the supplied book to see what the problem is, and then fix the problem. No moron is going to get it to reset a light to sell it. If you don't fix the problem the light will just come right back on. I don't see why you think it is a useless tool. If your check engine light comes on, how else are you going to know what it means? If you don't like it, don't get it. I'm not selling it or anything I just wanted to let people know if they were interested. Settle down.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 903
Likes: 1
From: Orlando, Florida
2000 F-150 XLT Sport Crew Cab
Doug, i dont believe we were yelling, so no need to ask us to settle down....We were just advising that this will not fix the problem...People who do not know much about cars may think it fixes the problem, which it does not...It will give you a code and you can look it up, but sometimes it will give you a code and the definition will make you go "uhhhh"...Somethings are harder then they seem...
I use to use a autptap on my 00 trans am and im pretty damn good working on cars, but it gave me codes and the information provided was not enough....So I guess the only reason we are posting this, is just to inform that it does no fix the problem....We were in no way trying to bash on you bro. Can us all benz owners just get a long
I use to use a autptap on my 00 trans am and im pretty damn good working on cars, but it gave me codes and the information provided was not enough....So I guess the only reason we are posting this, is just to inform that it does no fix the problem....We were in no way trying to bash on you bro. Can us all benz owners just get a long
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Ok, no problem. I just realized someone moved this to the classifieds forum. I just thought a bunch of random people were getting in the C Class forum, where I originally posted this, and were giving me a hard time. It's all good now.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,681
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, Alabama
2008 SLK-280
Oh, by the way, if you all still want this just click on "items sold by same user." There are usually 5 up for bid at any given time with a "Buy It Now" price of $49.99.
