Code reader?
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Chicago
CLK/ML
Got this at Pep Boys for 125 bucks or so, can't remember. It does what it says, reads the codes, tells you what they mean and if the issue is fixed, dumps the codes. Comes with a cd to install on computer that gives a complete breakdown of the fault codes. Priceless. If I did it again, I'd buy a better one.
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Got this at Pep Boys for 125 bucks or so, can't remember. It does what it says, reads the codes, tells you what they mean and if the issue is fixed, dumps the codes. Comes with a cd to install on computer that gives a complete breakdown of the fault codes. Priceless. If I did it again, I'd buy a better one.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 157
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From: Suffern, NY
2020 GLC300 & 2009 SL550 (previously had 1999 CLK / 2006 E500 / 2011 GL450)
I also have the Actron -- CP9135 in my case. Works well -- gave me the codes that I translated here for a bad MAF, which I did myself in a few minutes. My labor savings alone paid for the unit, and I plug it in every 6 months and it happily reports no codes found. I think this one is on clearance at Pep Boys (I got mine on ebay two years back).
It also gave me an O2 sensor code about a year-and-a-half ago, which I didn't have the patience to do myself, so I took it to the dealer for that one. I told them what I thought was wrong, and it was right on with what STAR said.
Most of the aftermarket ones read the basic OBD codes for the engine/emissions sensors. Get one that resets the Check Engine light -- otherwise you won't know if you fixed the problem. The aftermarket tools won't read the extended codes that the STAR system reads (airbags, other electronic systems) -- you would need a Mercedes specific tool/software which is over 10 times more expensive than these readers.
The newer models support a new protocol called CANbus -- if you can get one of those, it would be forward compatible (I think CAN will be required in a couple of years), although some cars already have it. Might as well buy one that is future-ready...
It also gave me an O2 sensor code about a year-and-a-half ago, which I didn't have the patience to do myself, so I took it to the dealer for that one. I told them what I thought was wrong, and it was right on with what STAR said.
Most of the aftermarket ones read the basic OBD codes for the engine/emissions sensors. Get one that resets the Check Engine light -- otherwise you won't know if you fixed the problem. The aftermarket tools won't read the extended codes that the STAR system reads (airbags, other electronic systems) -- you would need a Mercedes specific tool/software which is over 10 times more expensive than these readers.
The newer models support a new protocol called CANbus -- if you can get one of those, it would be forward compatible (I think CAN will be required in a couple of years), although some cars already have it. Might as well buy one that is future-ready...
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Thanks High Tech and TK...
I found one at a place called Mercedes Manuals, if you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think.... The link is below:
http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Merce.../cclassobd.htm
I found one at a place called Mercedes Manuals, if you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think.... The link is below:
http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Merce.../cclassobd.htm
Senior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 476
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From: Orange County, CA
CLK 430
that reader looks like the ones they use at autozone, which don't tell all the codes, atleast not for Audi's, so I would assume MB as well. I know the good ones use a vag com cable, software, and a laptop. Those are the good ones, but those are pricey and hard to find at a good deal. But thats all the knowledge I have on code readers. 
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Thanks High Tech and TK...
I found one at a place called Mercedes Manuals, if you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think.... The link is below:
http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Merce.../cclassobd.htm
I found one at a place called Mercedes Manuals, if you get a chance take a look and let me know what you think.... The link is below:
http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Merce.../cclassobd.htm
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Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Does it really give the MB specific codes or just the generic ones like the others?
The price seems okay, much better than having to give the dealership money for an hour of labor just to clear a code.
As an aside, do you know where this is on our W208's:
ABS motor under the hood, behind the driver's side headlight.
Last edited by Ghostrider; Aug 1, 2007 at 05:44 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Hey Marcus,
Does it really give the MB specific codes or just the generic ones like the others?
The price seems okay, much better than having to give the dealership money for an hour of labor just to clear a code.
As an aside, do you know where this is on our W208's:
ABS motor under the hood, behind the driver's side headlight.
Does it really give the MB specific codes or just the generic ones like the others?
The price seems okay, much better than having to give the dealership money for an hour of labor just to clear a code.
As an aside, do you know where this is on our W208's:
ABS motor under the hood, behind the driver's side headlight.
The ABS pump on my car is exactly where you said. There are a number of brake likes going to/from it.
Thread Starter
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Thanks again...
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Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Chicago
CLK/ML
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
I love the way you illustrated the great divide in these products.
By the way, if anyone wants to go in on this, I got the shipping all the way!!!
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
Tell you what, give me $60 and you can have my current code reader. It works fine - exactly as it did the day I took it out of the box. Perfect condition. That price includes shipping it anywhere in the continental US (Hawaii will be $50 + shipping). I'll take your money, toss in another $120, send Digimoto $180, and we'll both be happy.
Of course, as soon as you go to the Digimoto website, you won't want my lousy, cheap, feature-free, low tech, does the job as advertised but it's still junk, scanner.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2005
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Yes. Basically any OBDII generic reader with a cable interface for a J1962 will do the same job. I only paid $50 for mine, and like I said, I have the exact same reader. You would think that over time the price would go down. They're just generic readers. And people call dealers - stealerships?OBD I readers are available at Summit for $25. Of course, Summit wants $130 for an OBDII reader. There are actually kits available on the Internet to BUILD a code reader for cheap. You'll need an old laptop, but any cheapskate who wants to build a $15 code reader probably has an old laptop.
Tell you what, give me $60 and you can have my current code reader. It works fine - exactly as it did the day I took it out of the box. Perfect condition. That price includes shipping it anywhere in the continental US (Hawaii will be $50 + shipping). I'll take your money, toss in another $120, send Digimoto $180, and we'll both be happy.
Of course, as soon as you go to the Digimoto website, you won't want my lousy, cheap, feature-free, low tech, does the job as advertised but it's still junk, scanner.
Tell you what, give me $60 and you can have my current code reader. It works fine - exactly as it did the day I took it out of the box. Perfect condition. That price includes shipping it anywhere in the continental US (Hawaii will be $50 + shipping). I'll take your money, toss in another $120, send Digimoto $180, and we'll both be happy.
Of course, as soon as you go to the Digimoto website, you won't want my lousy, cheap, feature-free, low tech, does the job as advertised but it's still junk, scanner.
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From: New York City
2000 CLK 430
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,843
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From: KCMO, but Houston is my home.
01 CLK 430
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: New Zealand
Cl500
I also have the Actron -- CP9135 in my case. Works well -- gave me the codes that I translated here for a bad MAF, which I did myself in a few minutes. My labor savings alone paid for the unit, and I plug it in every 6 months and it happily reports no codes found. I think this one is on clearance at Pep Boys (I got mine on ebay two years back).
It also gave me an O2 sensor code about a year-and-a-half ago, which I didn't have the patience to do myself, so I took it to the dealer for that one. I told them what I thought was wrong, and it was right on with what STAR said.
Most of the aftermarket ones read the basic OBD codes for the engine/emissions sensors. Get one that resets the Check Engine light -- otherwise you won't know if you fixed the problem. The aftermarket tools won't read the extended codes that the STAR system reads (airbags, other electronic systems) -- you would need a Mercedes specific tool/software which is over 10 times more expensive than these readers.
The newer models support a new protocol called CANbus -- if you can get one of those, it would be forward compatible (I think CAN will be required in a couple of years), although some cars already have it. Might as well buy one that is future-ready...
It also gave me an O2 sensor code about a year-and-a-half ago, which I didn't have the patience to do myself, so I took it to the dealer for that one. I told them what I thought was wrong, and it was right on with what STAR said.
Most of the aftermarket ones read the basic OBD codes for the engine/emissions sensors. Get one that resets the Check Engine light -- otherwise you won't know if you fixed the problem. The aftermarket tools won't read the extended codes that the STAR system reads (airbags, other electronic systems) -- you would need a Mercedes specific tool/software which is over 10 times more expensive than these readers.
The newer models support a new protocol called CANbus -- if you can get one of those, it would be forward compatible (I think CAN will be required in a couple of years), although some cars already have it. Might as well buy one that is future-ready...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=380367004391
If it's wrong what about these?
http://www.diydiagnostics.com/
