Pancho

MB Carsoft 7.4

This is availble on ebay, etc. for about $100 or so.
Has anyone used these devices to mod their cpu, or anything ?
I was thinking of getting just a code reader for about $40,
but this other item seems very interesting.

Here's a link:
eBay Motors: OBD 2 II Mercedez Interface compatible with Carsoft 7.4 (item 320092842196 end time Mar-17-07 06:58:08 PDT)

MarcusF

Carsoft will give you fault codes, allow you to erase them, allow you to test individual components, and set some parameters. It does this for brake systems, airbag systems, AC, instrument clusters, transmission ECUs, Keyless Go, airmatic, ABC, PSE, ESP, Parktronic, the ignition system, headlight systems, convertible top, power seats, FI, and many other subsystems that typically only the dealer can diagnose & repair.

I’m just a common guy, so forgive me if this post is pretty elementary/shallow/uninformed in nature, but that ad appears to be for the interface. Don’t you still need the 7.4 version of the software? If you already have the software, where did you get it and more importantly, how much was it?

Anyone who already has Carsoft, please chime in and tutor the rest of us on this. I'd be interested in buying it if I knew I could get all the pieces AND they were all compatible. Pardon the double post, but I'm really interested in this subject.

Pancho

Good question on the software.

Since I'm not familiar with this equipment,
I figured the software was some proprietory load on a chip
in the big rectangular component,
like a bios on a motherboard.

The auction "states with carsoft 7.4".
I emailed this vendor asking him if he includes the software,
and if not, then why does he state that it does ?
I post his response, if I get one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...MakeTrack=true

Here's another auction just for the software ver. 6.5.
No info re. what vehicle it covers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-C...QQcmdZViewItem

Pancho

Sorry for the late, double late, triple late follow up.
Was surveying my posting to make sure I had no
outstanding follow ups, and found this one.
Way back then, I bought the ebay multiplexer interface device,
and it came with a Carsoft CD. Installed it, and have been using
it since. Doesn't do everything, but it does do much more than
the retail parts house scanners.
I rely on this device, and it has been a big help.

Aaron68

Below is a link where the unit seems to come with a CD with some sort of software on it I would think. I have emailed one of the vendors to see if its the actual 7.4 software. I'll post what they have to say once I hear back.


http://www.tradett.com/searchproduct...ft%20Compatibl

rolaes62

Marcus,

How you doing?

I purchased the multiplexer w/software thru dealextreme.com $105 with free shipping

I was able to perform the EGS & ME adaptation with it after I replaced my electric kit in my transmission. I also used it to T/Shoot my E320, 300E & C320. So far I know it will work on 1990 to 2002 Mercedes with the 38pin, ODBII & analog points. I know it will not work on 1989 and ealier ( I tries to use it on my dad's 89' 420SEL but the plug in was different) I think its a great tool, I can honestly say it has saved me thousands of dollars in stealership repairs using this software.

For the money its worth it. One note you must have an old/legacy laptop or desktop with a RS232 port to interface with the multiplexer. Using the USB to serial adapter (Dongle) will not work (some kind of comm issue).

BTW I really liked your article on Boxster engines. I never knew those engines were sleeved that way. I almost purchased a 97 but I'm glad I read your article first.

AMGDave

Carsoft v7.4 only works well on models with ME injection systems, such as the W210, R170, etc. Quite a few folks have used it successfully on these later models, more info is in this very long thread.

However, Carsoft v7.4 is nearly useless on the W124 chassis or early R129/W140 (to 1995)... at best it will show blink codes, which you can do much faster & easier with a hand-held blink code reader. It has zero ability to communicate with HFM or LH injection digitally, nor the EZL, ABS, ASR, SRS, or anything else. The 1996-up R129/W140 have ME injection and Carsoft will communicate with these later models.

If you have an early 129/140 or any 124, a blink code reader works great for pulling codes, and there are some digital scanners which can communicate with the LH, HFM, E-GAS, EZL, etc systems... including live data (aka "actual values"). But Carsoft v7.4 isn't one of them. BT, DT.

BJaltima

Did you end up getting the software and multiplexer?

AMGDave

BKaltima, if you're thinking of Carsoft for your 400E, forget it. Total waste of money, as I described above. It should work ok on the W208 though.

BJaltima

It would be for the '01 clk320.

zouyiyte21

I just got one only 49€,here is the link:
http://www.obd2look.de/goods-701-MB-...edes-Benz.html

James Talbert

I just purchased the carsoft mb11. My 2002 E320 went into limp home mode because of conductor plate. I replaced the conductor plate hooked up my handheld and I cannot reach the transmission codes. I did a little research and I was told to buy the 38 pin connector adapter. But people in The Forum are saying that I cannot hook this adapter straight to my hand held to the 38 pin connector that I have to use the carsoft multiplexer to plug into the 38 pin port. I need to reset the transmission code po715 to take it out of limp mode will my handheld work for this?

exhaustgases

What about maxi das will it do everything?

johndtitus

Here is my 2 cents. For the do-it-yourselfer, the cracked versions of Carsoft 7.4 that you buy on eBay or Amazon tend to be unstable and crash (or won't load at all). Plus, they are illegal copies.

Google "Carsoft Belgium" (or Carsoft V12). This will put you on to the real developers of Carsoft. The new version 12 is only 95 euros, is Windows 7 compatible and will work with your cloned multiplexer version 7.4 box. For an extra 100 euros you can get their new multiplexer box.

After spending hours and hours with an unstable version of 7.4 (even when running on a Del D360 with XP) and a then with a C3 clone that won't download anything from the ECU (it shifts to HHT mode and then errors out), not to mention the very unfriendly WIS/ASRA interface that never finds any relevant documents, I went with Carsoft and its easy interface that includes links to the repair section...