New to Mercedes ownership ('99 CLK 320 Coupe) and want to get a comprehensive scan tool or laptop based software that won't break the bank. Prepared to pay up to about $500 for the right unit.

I was spoiled with the VagCom software I had for working on a '02 Passat I owned and was wondering if there are any aftermarket tools similar to that?

Thanks,

shawnwes

 

shawnwes.......great question, because my suggestion is to proceed with much caution.

It wasn't very long ago that the only choice was the MB STAR diagnostic software (a.k.a SDS), that cost $xx,xxx to purchase or $x,xxx for an annual lease.

However, it would it see/reset every W208 module DT

-Powertrain P codes
-Network U codes
-Body B codes
-Chassis C codes

Through W208 production, as significant upgrades were made, they were tracked and updated via VIN.

As a result, numerous knock off versions appeared, some counterfeit, outdated, only worked w/ specific versions of Windows, included malware etc..

The good news is that in the $100 - $200 range, there are numerous scan tools available that claim to be able to read/reset full MB DTCs , including live data via just the OBDII connector.

As example

However, note the warning that it will not work with our W208 chassis.

The reason is that MB only implemented a subset of OBDII on the W208, that brought out only power, ground and a single ended K line to the OBDII connector (e.g. only sufficient to see emission faults). Additionally, at the time, MB used a proprietary software protocols that even made using the W208 38 pin engine bay diagnostic connector with a OBBII adapter problematic.

For MY's 2004 up, MB finally implemented full OBDII signalling and protocols, which likely make these newer scanners workable. When you read reviews, note the model and MY date.

You'll find additional details regarding the above at: http://www.mbcluster.com/Old_Website/Media_Diagnostics.htm

 

Thanks so much for the detailed response and links. Lots of great information to go through and learn.

Do you have any experience or knowledge about the Autel MS906BT? This was their customer service dept's recommendation regarding W208s. At about $1500 CAD it's above my original budget but not out of the question if it's the Swiss army knife of scanners & can help limit my trips to the garage with my well cared for 120k mile '99 CLK 320.

 

 

 

Also curious and have been considering buying Carsoft v12. Are there any other options?

 

 

Just make sure it will read everything alot of readers for mercedes wont do in detail scans on cars before 2000.

 

Can you give any more details on your experience ordering from this site?

I ordered the 7.4 multiplexer from them on 11/25/2018, after finding this post, for the similar price of $71.99 + $8.00 s&h. They have charged my account, but when I check the order on their site it still shows "Processing". Three separate email inquiries sent as replies from my order confirmation from them have all been ignored and calling the phone number on the website gets a recording "This account has been compromised, please contact your customer service representative." I have now requested a refund mainly just to start the clock on that process expecting further frustration with this situation.

Meanwhile, my 320 is still sitting in my driveway stuck in 1st gear, after towing her home, new conductor plate, new connector, reseal oil pan, new oil and filter, new trans fluid and I'm stuck driving my old work truck without heat... So if anyone in the Huntsville AL area has this tool or equivalent and would be willing to help me out, please let me know!

 

 

Never got the "Chinese" box, never got any response from Rocketprices, never made any headway with FL BBB, never got my money back.

Did order v12 from Belgium but can't seem to get it to read any of the driveline modules. And none of the listed options mention the transmission or TCM.. I did run erase codes on the 3 driveline options anyway and the car drove and shifted normally for about 5 miles then stuck in 3rd gear and shifter stuck in D. (Tapping left or right didn't select gears on dash display) Got back to my neighborhood in case it stuck in 1st again, turned ignition off then restarted and it went back to normal for the mile or 2 back to the house. Still no comm to modules, no check engine light, no malfunction... going to reinstall on an XP laptop Monday so hopefully the acrobat reader will function and maybe make a difference with the scan. I currently have zero confidence in reliability or what might be going on.

FYI.. if you're ordering v12, get it from their Ebay store, it will be a little cheaper than directly from their website.

 

This dual diagnostic stuff Mercedes was doing back then nearly kept we away from my CLK55. I was well aware of it and it still bothers me a bit. I'm a BMW guy and they did similar stuff but I had a DIS setup for those cars. Something tells me a StarTek computer is in my future. I have access to scanners but they won't dig deep enough at times to get to certain things and that bothers me.

 

OBD2 is good because it has some benefits. Another reason that the scanner can be so small and has Bluetooth to uses your device as the screen. You can use this with Android phones, iPhones, Android tablets, or iPads

 

This is why I love my Audi......VAG Com. Best ever!

I was hoping someone would make something similar for the W208.

 

VAGcom is great, yes as is all of RossTech but at the end of the day, its an Audi. Sorry but not sorry. I loved my TDI's and appreciate all the S/RS models but god do I despise working on those things. And you want to talk part prices, get ready for VAG in any sense, they will bend you over. My AMG is cheaper to keep on the road than some VW's we had in the family. Hmmm. I'll take the AMG all day. Not to mention, built better and much more fun to drive.

If we could get a scanning setup like VagCom though. I will probably find a knock-off of a StarTek out there for mine. I'm not in a rush so there is that. I don't really need the coding aspect so that should help out with finding one. I just want to be able to get into more modules. I'm tired of being led to the front door and not having access to anything else.

 

I'm pleasantly surprised at how tuner/DIY/user friendly my CLK is, but I have to agree to disagree with you on Audi. I don't know how much experience you have with automotive tuning/DIY, but aside from the fact that Audi is German (EG: All German auto makers do things different from virtually everyone else - including tools & fasteners), I love them.

As with any car: it all comes down to what specific model you're talking about. I still have an Audi that has 375,000 miles on the stock engine and it's running 22psi of boost to all four wheels, yet has zero drive-ability issues and has all the luxury it had when it rolled off the showroom floor. Perfect luxury DD and awesome stress reliever.

At the end of the day: MB and Audi are basically family anyway (if you know the history of the two).

I love them both.

 

Is there a new tool that can mimic MB STAR DIAG? Something from AMAZON etc?

 

Seems to use icarsoft MB 2.0 you need to know what the values that are brought up are supposed to be. In the quote below at the bottom is a link for details of these issues on our W208. This link doesn't work anymore, mbcluster.com/Old_Website/Media_Diagnostics.htm. Does anyone have this info? Intel wanted help! Attachment Is the Test and Freeze Frame Report with all supported items from icarsoft MB 2.0 on a W208 With the icarsoft ODB2 to 38 pin adapter. IDK how the report




pages got mixed up... Could it be the rain sensors? Lol, I tried to Clear Every Code and Reset Everything Possible Before the test... It looks like Its only showing Historic Faults, not Active ones. It used to have a Dead Battery, How do I Reset the Battery? Historic. ASG N15/3, Somewhere in EIS N73, what test is for that? How did my Rain Sensor used to overheat? How far is the ABS diaphragm supposed to travel? Maybe a Chilton Repair book would help? Okay, probably. Bad Speed sensor, brake pressure sensor works, Stop lamp switch No Contact - OFF? Double negative. Didn't notice the steering wheel thing till afterward. Most importantly I think maybe, Why in the ABS & ESP(ASR, ETS) Test, did supported items 4 & 5 Switch from OFF & ON to ON & OFF in Frame 18 & 19 Only? Does that mean my gear shift unlocked? Is it Salvageable?
Also, If the Transmission Module has to be reset after, maintenance, changing the battery?, examining the TCM? (Disconnected, looking for leaks of Transmission Fluid)?

(BETWEEN WICHITA, KS & KCMO 2 HOUR TOW EITHER WAY TO DEALERSHIP AND BACK, SO IF CLOSER TO MANHATTAN, KS AREA WITH STAR 3(I think for 208 Cab) or the V12 System and know it will help, PLEASE HELP ME, i do charity and only get paid $12ph for now ugh. I'll gladly match what it would cost at the dealership, quick and clean. I only got to enjoy this car for a Month and it's been sitting a year)

If I'm wrong here about V12 System, please let me know. I'll get a multiplexer and all. It doesn't have an ODB2-38 pin Adapter, so maybe. But I'm heavily leaning of trust in what Serndipity says in my Quote below. About Carsoft Mercedes V12 System. Although ODB only has 4 wires to it, but a Craftsman ODB2 on the ODB2 connection did give me a Specific Transmission Code, not just a generic one p0705 along with p0600 (Same generic code the icarsoft gave me).~https://mbworld.org/forums/clk-class...de-p0600.html~ Serndipity Clearing things up here as well. Another problem, icarsoft can't access SAM. "CANBUS issues are very difficult to troubleshoot, diagnose and repair. Especially true for controllers that use voltage encoding (e.g. multiple voltage levels on a single wire to control multiple functionality)." -Serndipity

Thank you Serndipity. Aspiring to Self learn to be a General All-around Technician have bought the MB 2.0 icarsoft. With 38 pin Adapter. to reset my Transmission & ESP, BAS. I can't see how this helps. It doesn't access or reset a few things it says. Only gives values of modules it can access via live stream. What are the values supposed to be? Where are all the answers? If someone knows, please help. I know a wheel speed sensor isn't supposed to read 6kph and quite a bit. BUT these values being even a little off can shut stuff down. So I read on here about the Carsoft Mercedes V12 System... The pdf is amazing, Haste to Ebay bought from Belgium even though they have a Canada office. I got an CD and a flash drive. Ops! Then I find out they are the same people, got me twice, Ugh. Okay now I need an old laptop, multiplexer, adapters, wires. I actually have an old desktop that has IDE & SATA HDD Connections (Dual Boot Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit, Win 10 Pro, Super cool) with Serial connection.

Brake Lights don't work sometimes, I'm going to check that ground and all wiring back there bro.
ABS, ESP, BAS lights Most of the time.
Shifter is stuck in P, can only use 1st gear. Can Spraying WD40 Specialist Silicone down the Shifter release hole. Learned here YES.
Cruise Control doesn't work when the Brake lights are not lighting.
I did buy a generic Brake light switch, but it works more often than the other one did.
The front right Rotor is warped, giving a shake only occasionally when braking. (No hands, smooth and straight at 100mph)
The front left Speed Sensor is giving readings of 6kph.
I've put in a New, Heck of an Expensive Battery. Do I need STAR3 to do a Battery Reset? (Done every Reset I found here. THANKYOU)
The front left High Beam bulb was out of place and needs a new harness. (OMG no plastic left, liquid electrical tape fingers crossed, JK I'll get 1)
Convertible top low on fluid, but seem to have compression. Flathead Screwdriver thing to disengage (Super easy to take down manually) later.
0 noise from Engine with oil cap off while someone else starts it. (Sometimes they will only click for a second, easily missed)
Tranny was almost 2 quarts low when I got it. But it's not leaking Inside or out. 160k
Should I just buy all the W209 upgrades? Hmm
Battery, icarsoft, carsoft, brake light switch... I'm not going to just buy everything like some regular mechanic. I want to fix the cause.
I'm going to have to go back to school for-Electrical Engineer, Wish me luck, you all have helped me so much already. (15 degrees outside under freezing for a week, new battery, go through the whole list of resets, but roll bars wouldn't go down in the cold. After opening top it wouldn't close again cause the Roll Bars were in the way. Found info on tandem dual release switches. Wow, that is something. Thank you.

 

If you need some help, I’ve been through my 2003 CLK430 a bit and live in KC near the airport and travel out to Lawrence pretty regular. Let me know if you want me to stop out some time?

 

Thanks, Andy! Yesterday I ordered an MB Brake light switch from the KCMO dealership and the wheel speed sensor from Memphis. Hoping that will take care of it. If not, it looks like I'll have to spring for a new Gear shifter for the Automatic Gear shifting System. It least till that point I know I'm fixing obvious issues. Really need to do more of a wiring inspection, especially the head and tail lights after what I saw in the Left headlight. Always enjoyed visiting KC area as a kid, Camp MOKAN couple weeks a year every year growing up. Worked a lot all over up there when I lived in Topeka. Hopefully it'll be good after all that, super generous of you to come and help.

 

Here is everything My iCarsoft Multi Car MB 2.0 could access and Test in Smart Scan mode, sometime in the next week I'll do all Manual Modules Scans and Testing. Also, my car is stuck in park, It's not the brake light switch replaced or the left front wheel speed sensor replaced it... But it still says 650kmph. Could it be the other sensor there, ABS? Then shifter?

 

My Carsoft MBII works fine but cannot run adaption on a new throttle body.