OBDII tools needed or can car diagnose itself?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 191
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From: Richardson, TX
'04 Cobra & '04 S430
OBDII tools needed or can car diagnose itself?
I have a 2000 E320. I've read on some posts where there are some on board diagnostics that can tell you what is wrong with the car.
I just got a call from my wife telling that the check engine light came on (which I know can be anything to bad gas cap seal to bad CATS and anything and everything in between). Is there a way to get the car to tell you what is wrong? Or do you need an OBDII tool to scan the codes.
I also realize that MB has their own set of codes - so if a more specific tool is needed, where can it be found and purchased from?
I just got a call from my wife telling that the check engine light came on (which I know can be anything to bad gas cap seal to bad CATS and anything and everything in between). Is there a way to get the car to tell you what is wrong? Or do you need an OBDII tool to scan the codes.
I also realize that MB has their own set of codes - so if a more specific tool is needed, where can it be found and purchased from?
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John Deere
You need a scan tool to narrow down which code is there, and then even that will not be definitive in some cases.
And the codes are according to the standard. Or at least my Actron scanner works ok.
And the codes are according to the standard. Or at least my Actron scanner works ok.
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From: South San Francisco, CA
2001 E320 Sport
If I were you I would invest in buying a OBD II scan tool from Autozone or whatever auto store you go to. Pull the codes and run a search in the forum. I made the idiotic mistake of bringing my car in for diagnostics and losing $200 just to pull some damn codes. Needless to say I bought my own scanner for only $80 in order to minimize having to bring her in for diagnosis if this happens again. It turned out to be a bad Mass Air Meter when I had CEL on. Hopefully your problem is not too expensive.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 191
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From: Richardson, TX
'04 Cobra & '04 S430
I purchased one off of Amazon.com. Lucky me - the light went off now. I still intend on keeping the tool when it comes in. I'm sure the light will light up again and it will be worth the investment at that time.
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OBD scanner for 38 pin socket - E320 1997
is there any hand held obd scanner for 38 pin socket in the fuse box as my 1997 E320 does not have an OBDII socket under the stearing or is it somewhere else that i dont know? Also i tried carsoft using my laptop but it says cable not connected where as i checked all the cables ... could it be some problem with the socket itself?
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Toledo, OH
88 535is, 89 318iT
don't forget that most autozones pull codes for free. if you just want the generic codes to do a web search for possible problems, then do that instead of buying a cheap non-specific scanner. also, most obdII state inspection machines pull codes. find one of those small 2 bay inspection stations and offer then all lunch for codes. just a couple suggestions for the uber cheap.
david
david
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: I am United Arab Emirates
E 240 model 1999 Station wagon
Dear Adv074
You mind in telling me about your scanner which costed you $ 80. I want to import one from USA if it is effective.
I have E 240 1999 model Station wagon. Hope it will work on my car also..
Thanking you in advance
You mind in telling me about your scanner which costed you $ 80. I want to import one from USA if it is effective.
I have E 240 1999 model Station wagon. Hope it will work on my car also..
Thanking you in advance
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well thanks for ur advice... though i am at Saudi arabia,, and here its really expensive to get ur car scanned every time at the station they charge around a $100, and they are not competent enough to interpret all of them... so i baought a multiplexer and carsoft 7.4 online... and the problem i faced as above... though i didn't come across any hand held scanner for a 38pin socket....is there any?
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E320 1996
Here is a adapter cable for the 38 pin.
http://cgi.ebay.ca/MERCEDES-BENZ-38-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.ca/MERCEDES-BENZ-38-...QQcmdZViewItem
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Thanks for that link... i've already ordered one... as i already have an OBD2 hand held scanner... it saves the pain of carrying the multiplexer, laptop, cables etc.... i'll give it a try as soon as it arrives... is it fully functional reading, erasing codes?
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From: I am United Arab Emirates
E 240 model 1999 Station wagon
Haroon I am in UAE. Presently I have E240 1999 model a station wagon, Japanese specification car. I am also looking for a scanner. You mind in giving the details of the scanner you purchased for your car. If possible pl send the pics of your scanner. Will i also have to buy an extra 38 pins adaptor?
One should have a scanner for self diagnosis. In our market also its very expensive to get your car checked up through the main agency or even the independent computer checkers..
One should have a scanner for self diagnosis. In our market also its very expensive to get your car checked up through the main agency or even the independent computer checkers..
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Haroon I am in UAE. Presently I have E240 1999 model a station wagon, Japanese specification car. I am also looking for a scanner. You mind in giving the details of the scanner you purchased for your car. If possible pl send the pics of your scanner. Will i also have to buy an extra 38 pins adaptor?
One should have a scanner for self diagnosis. In our market also its very expensive to get your car checked up through the main agency or even the independent computer checkers..
One should have a scanner for self diagnosis. In our market also its very expensive to get your car checked up through the main agency or even the independent computer checkers..
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First u do a simple test.... check in the fuse box (under the hood) is there any round shaped connector switch inside it? how many pins are in there? .... if u dont find any such thing inside the fuse box ... Than.... come to ur stearing wheel and try to find underneath a rectangular socket... which ever socket u find tell me in ur next message...
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Staten Island, NY
1996 E320
Yeah, I did the borrow program at autozone... the scanner is real easy to use, you retrieve the code(s), go to the OBD II website, enter the code, and it explains the fault code to you.
then when you bring the tool back, they credit your credit card back the deposit, and you go on your merry way!!
Good Luck,
Wayne
then when you bring the tool back, they credit your credit card back the deposit, and you go on your merry way!!
Good Luck,
Wayne
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From: I am United Arab Emirates
E 240 model 1999 Station wagon
Dear Haroon
Checked under the hood in the fuse box. It has 38 pins connector. Oic attached for your reference and futher advise pl.
Thanking you in advance
Checked under the hood in the fuse box. It has 38 pins connector. Oic attached for your reference and futher advise pl.
Thanking you in advance
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1. go for "carsoft 7.4" (multiplexer, cables, software) u have to install it on ur laptop and u have to carry all the equipment to ur car to diagnose. Its a very comprehensice diagnostic tool. link http://stores.ebay.com/OBDtech look for "MB Multiplexer Mercedes Benz Diagnostic Tool Carsoft" seller is "Mr.Fraser" i already bought from him so he knows me. (check ur laptop first for RS232 connecter if u dont have it than u need USB to RS232 converter - available from any computer accessory shop)
2. "OBD II" hand held scanner, much simpler but u need the converter cable mentioned above in this forum to convert from OBD I (38pin) to rectangular OBDII. there are lots of hand held scanners available in the market the one i bought was with MB original repair manuals from link http://www.manualsunlimited.com/inde...9ef26e67cc98da select ur car type and model and purchase manuals with the scanner. very helpful...
u can also just go for a scanner available at various sites like:http://www.diydiagnostics.com/obdii_specs.htm and
http://www.diydiagnostics.com/pro_se...bdii_specs.htm
NOTE: u must read the specs in depth to check the compatibility with ur car model, and the kind of job u need to undertake.
NOTE: I'm only a beginner in this field, though i can read access data and codes and identify the key problems in my car yet i need to visit a workshop to get the parts fixed as i am not very handy with the tools....
Last edited by Haroon; May 17, 2007 at 03:39 AM.
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Yeah, I did the borrow program at autozone... the scanner is real easy to use, you retrieve the code(s), go to the OBD II website, enter the code, and it explains the fault code to you.
then when you bring the tool back, they credit your credit card back the deposit, and you go on your merry way!!
Good Luck,
Wayne
then when you bring the tool back, they credit your credit card back the deposit, and you go on your merry way!!
Good Luck,
Wayne
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 47
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From: I am United Arab Emirates
E 240 model 1999 Station wagon
Haroon
I wanted to say thanks for your detail analysis. Your information was really very valuable. As and when i get the concerned scanner will update you...
I wanted to say thanks for your detail analysis. Your information was really very valuable. As and when i get the concerned scanner will update you...
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From: Santa Clarita, CA
1987 E300 TD
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Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2007
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it depends on ur skills... u can be a
1. beginner = keep it simple ( read / erase - handheld type)
2. -----
3. ----
4. ----
x. ----
x. Advanced DIY = Multiplexer + all the cables + laptop + software i.e. carsoft 7.4, or STAR etc.
(in between those two extremes there are lotsa hybrids which do some jobs and dont do others)
MY ADVICE: keep it simple
