Hey all,

I've used the forum search and can't find a recommendation for an OBD2 scanner for home use for my 2018 AMG GTC and I'd love a recommendation. I know Mercedes has peculiarities so not all OBD2 scanners work. I stopped by AutoZone and their scanner didn't show any codes when I definitely had one. Sorry if the answer is here and I can't find it.

Andrew

 

Hi Andrew,

Depends on what exactly you want to do.

The OBD socket is standardized, but only for the ECU and only partially.
A simple OBD scanner is sufficient to read engine parameters / errors or to delete an engine error light.
Just be careful, some have saved the manufacturer logs and output the errors in plain text, some only as code. Impractical to google first. :-)

There are also OBD BT dongles with mobile apps. Some seem to work fine. Have no experience here.

For foreign vehicles or simple, quick ECU codes I use a $25 OBD scanner (Konnwei KW 310) This can also log data / sensors.
Outputs the error directly and also writes in German. :-) We understand each other.

For everything else you need a professional diagnostic system, because every manufacturer uses their own systems.

At MB, the star diagnosis is 1 choice.
A little more expensive, but a good investment. Would miss it..... :-) :-) :-)


Best regards

Stenzel

 

Try Carly for Mercedes: https://www.mycarly.com/

I find it interrogates a very in-depth, comprehensive list of systems/subsystems, and was able to clear Fault Codes that only very few Non-dealership scanners costing many times more could clear.
They are a German company, with exceptional tech savvy to query and interpret many if not all the MB ECU systems.
Android and Apple compatible.

 

Hi Andrew,

First, a few words how OBD system diagnostics is structured. All manufacturers use this system. There are four "systems" that fall under diagnostics definitions:

P-Codes = Powertrain
B-Codes = Body (security)
C-Codes = Chassis
U-Codes = Network (CANBUS protocol)

P-codes are the most universal and standard in that the same P0xxx code means the same in all cars. So, a P0303 is always a misfire, cylinder #3 in all cars. Some P1xxx codes are standardized, at least as manufacturers assigned these they stayed with the same definition if a P1xxx was already assigned. Then, from there (P2xxx, P3xxx, etc.) it gets really unique to a manufacturer. P-codes, by this definition, are intentionally made to be open but more primarily BC another name for powertrain codes is Emissions codes, and because governments have a vested interest here P-codes had to be defined as universal and open access is mandated. With that, any "scan tool" out there reads P-codes, some are better or fancier than others, but that is their primary function.

ALL the other categories (B, C, U, and the higher numbered Pcodes) are manufacturer specific, although, here too, once a code was established by one manufacturer another one would use that too for the same diagnostic so as not to have the same assignment mean different things. As an example, a U0101 means a TCM lost communications, across manufacturers. As these lists increased some number assignments went to a single manufacturer BC an exclusive feature is only used by that manufacturer.

P-codes produce a Check engine light (CEL). All other codes DO NOT, and are IDed through other means, some are fault lights on the dash (other than the check engine light) such as the ABS icon, SRS icon, or in written message in the communications center. Every manufacturer does this their way besides some very common icons.

Finally how code is written among manufacturers is NOT standardized, so an access tool (deep scan tool) had to become unique to that manufacturer. This is where manufacturers took advantage of creating their own system, their own diagnostic tools which, in a way, helps their repair networks with business as only their tools can read their codes. An interesting factoid = a modern car today averages about 100 million lines of code.

Bottom line - only specialized tools would have gotten you to any other faults that you have, the powertrain codes being the exception. Lately, however, some tools in the marketplace are able to cover specialized codes from different manufacturers and bundle these in single tools. They might not be 100% complete but they're getting better and better. I've played with a couple of these tools. One I've had for a couple of years now and so far it has worked well to deep scan all systems. It covers just about every manufacturer out there. I've tried it on four different manufacturers, my car and a couple other older MBs. It's an Autel MX808. It is reasonably priced, and not even the biggest tool they produce. It does have to be updated, and I am constantly getting new updates. I recently did a thread here when I had a complex CANBUS error. I used this tool to diagnose and it took me to where I had to go to fix the fault.

So, the question to you - How much do you want to access? If it is just powertrain faults (Check Engine Light), any $15 scan tool will work fine. If it's everything on this platform the goto is Xentry, or some tool like I am using. Here is an example of a deep scan I just did on my car a couple weeks ago and the modules it scanned.



Here is one of 7 screens of car manufacturers covered by the Autel tool.

 

Thanks, all! I'll report back with success / failure. I've had a "limp mode" event and I'd like to see the error code sooner than later and I don't want to deal with my local dealer if I can avoid them.

 

I love being "around" people who know more than me! Thanks for the lesson. That all makes great sense.

 

I also use Carly. It works on my 2018 AMG GT S as well as my 2013 GLK350.

 

I bought an Autel MS906BT scanner programmer, and it works on every make and model of car I own. Comes with a Bluetooth rechargeable OBDII dongle, so no wires required at all. It was essential to use this to reset the engine oil minder in a Porsche Cayman 718, and of course shows all possible codes on my AMG GT-S. I never bought the subscription as the most modern car I have is a 2019. When I buy something newer, I will get a 1 year software upgrade. Unit costs a lot more than a plain OBDII scanner, but it does so much more. A very good mechanic friend of mine told me that is what most mechanics he knows now use the same or a very similar unit. New models from Autel are coming out regularly.

 

Sorry for reviving this thread, but I’m looking for a basic diagnostic tool that lets me read error codes and maybe clear them when they’re sporadic. Aside from this Carly mentioned here, I’ve also seen this Launch X431 in other discussions, iit's a bit more expensive than Carly but looks good, what experts think? Would it work effectively on the AMG GT C 190 platform?

 

Different car but might work as well small discussion in that thread https://mbworld.org/forums/glc-class...ce-glc300.html

 

I would stick with Launch or Autel. Consider how much your dealer charges for a scan compared to the cost of a scanner.

 

ok thanks, think I will go for the Launch X431 Elite 3.0, hoping it would fit the purpose...

 

You can buy from this website as mentioned in the other threads if you are in the USA, UK or EU. Theey ship and arrive rather quickly as well since they have a warehouse in the 3 I think https://kingbolentool.com/products/l...c-tool-scanner

They might also have new registration coupons you can apply.

When you get the unit make sure to install all updates.

 

ok, thanks!

 

My pleasure to help.

Some settings to set in settings would be enabling the screen capture toggle so you can take a screenshot if you need it, as well as go to screen brightness and set the timeout you want.

The latest firmware version is XWP_V200_007, you go to Settings>About>Version>"Detection system update" to update

For the MB programs, you just stay on the home screen and choose the upgrade tile/menu option and select everything to be upgraded then hit install. I believe the latest stable version is Mercedes-Benz/Maybach V50.45, there might be higher beta versions on the launch product page, I will stick with the stable one.

I got this scanner myself and it has been pretty solid, I found the scanner in this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...onal-more.html

The thread initially talked about the V1.0 version but expanded on talking about V2.0 version.

Furthermore, the Benz Elite V2.0 just means you have the Benz specific diagnostic software installed, you can purchase other makes from the store (if I recalled correctly it might be subscription based) if you need it. Or if you have other German cars, specifically MB, BMW and Audi (they have something called the BBA) edition which includes all those software so you don't have to purchase it later on in the store.

 

Here is the link to the "BBA" version (Benz, BMW, Audi) they call it if you have other makes and need that instead: https://kingbolentool.com/products/2...-bidirectional

The other advantage of the "BBA" version is that it has physically navigation buttons shown here:
https://kingbolentool.com/cdn/shop/f...722&width=1200
versus the regular benz elite v2.0:https://kingbolentool.com/cdn/shop/f...836&width=1200

 

Good thread... For basic misfires, reading Pcodes, etc, as mentioned a simple $20 Bluetooth OBD2 dongle and a mobile app (like Torque/Torque Lite) works great for simple troubleshooting and code resets.

I recently bought an iCarsoft 4.0 (similar to the Launch) which I have used to troubleshoot a couple things in our Porsche Macan Turbo, but it also has licenses for 2 other makes without "breaking the bank". It's fully WiFi, so downloads updates easily without a tethered machine.

I loaded up MB/Maybach, but haven't had the chance to see if there are any other vehicle settings on the GT that I can tweak. For those of you with Launch, iCarsoft, Autel, etc, anything good you have toggled?

 

That's really an helpful advice, thanks again. As for the “BBA” option, I'm not interested in it right now; we have an Audi in the family, but I use VCDS on that anyway, so I think I'll go with the 431 2.0 designed specifically for Mercedes (in my case, I'll only be using it on my AMG GT C190).

 

Sounds like a plan

 

I've used lots of scan tools. For MB the best "generic" tool I've used is the Launch X421 Pad V as it includes most MB module programming at no additional cost. It still is a bit of hit or miss with coding and testing. I've also used xentry (via Chinese supplier) in the past and this worked much better for diagnosing air suspension in my 2008 S550 and was the only way I could get a corner senser reinitialized. The problem with that is every time I went to use it it need massive updates to both the laptop (which was largely in Chinese) and the interface box.

I've recently joined BenzNinja and have been very happy with my change. Not only did I get a better interface module (C4) and and easier to use laptop interface to get into xentry, access to all programming and a whole list of custom coding options like turning on ILS (this has some cost), I got BenzNinja professional help at no additional cost than the 1x membership fee. As an example, I just purchased a 2020 AMG GTC and it had an overdue service message that refused to clear from the steering wheel. No go from the Launch, and my attempt from Xentry via the instrument cluster module also failed. I called in the calvary and BenzNinja remoted in and had it all fixed in about 2 min. Check them out at BenzNinja.com. I am just a happy customer, not otherwise affiliated.

 

Worth noting the service overdue message is a common bug on many MBs, when clearing doesn't work, a 100 mile or less drive usually allows resetting again.

 

This particular problem was when a particular sub-service hasn't been properly cleared and reports an excessive over (mine was 20k miles overdue) and will NOT clear from steering. It may be unique to the C190 platform as here is another one - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL8SiTqJcco/

 

Interesting. Is there a TSB or something for this?

 

Not that I've seen.

 

Looks like MB is unaware of it then.