Baby Scanner - Launch Creader Elite specific for MB - Bi-directional and more

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Sep 22, 2024 | 11:43 AM
  #101  
Quote: Cool to know.
I would hope never to want to or need to scan my GL450. (Hey let me dream lol) Now my Smart car with a lot of Mercedes engineering and logic. I intent to Scan and look through anything it will allow. A current TCM fault causes a random 1 min 20 sec starting delay, a manageable issue but makes it an unreliable get-a-way car. So I will get two 2012 GL450 keys now and pick up a scanner of this level during the Internet sales season.
You could try these folks. You want the new fob for $99.94. Be sure to compare the FCC code with your original fob. When the independent locksmith could not program my 2015 key fob, I was able to return it for a full refund.

EDIT: Seems they are out of stock now. I should have kept the fob for my 2014 C-Class.

Reply 1
Sep 22, 2024 | 11:49 AM
  #102  
Another thing to note is that you can get key blanks (do a search online) and have a locksmith that can laser cut keys make a copy. It may cost $40 or $50, but far less than the $99 the dealer will charge. A key blank comes with the fob from NorthCoastKeyless if you go that route.
Reply 1
Sep 22, 2024 | 11:51 AM
  #103  
Keep in mind no dealer will program these keyfobs since they did not sell it to you. "We cannot guarantee it" is the premade answer
Reply 0
Sep 22, 2024 | 11:56 AM
  #104  
Quote: Cool to know.
I would hope never to want to or need to scan my GL450. (Hey let me dream lol) Now my Smart car with a lot of Mercedes engineering and logic. I intent to Scan and look through anything it will allow. A current TCM fault causes a random 1 min 20 sec starting delay, a manageable issue but makes it an unreliable get-a-way car.
I would not own a car if I could not get a brand-specific scanner for it. There are so many possible faults that never trigger a CEL (remember, CELs are ONLY for emissions-related faults) but that you can easily fix or adjust yourself. Also, if something is wrong and you don't know what it is, how will you ever know if you can trust a repair shop?

Your best bet is XENTRY for your Mercedes, but at the very least get something like BlueDriver. You won't be able to do much more than scan and clear codes, but at least you will have that.
Reply 0
Sep 22, 2024 | 12:00 PM
  #105  
Quote: Keep in mind no dealer will program these keyfobs since they did not sell it to you. "We cannot guarantee it" is the premade answer
Correct. That's why they are only good if you go to an independent automotive locksmith that has the capability.

The place I tried before I discovered only the dealer could program my 2015 car used an Autel Key Programmer (or tried to) only to discover my existing 2015 key was not supported. I ended up having to go to the dealer and $650 later I had a new fob (the "emergency key" was cut by a locksmith).
Reply 1
Sep 22, 2024 | 12:09 PM
  #106  
Quote: I would not own a car if I could not get a brand-specific scanner for it. There are so many possible faults that never trigger a CEL (remember, CELs are ONLY for emissions-related faults) but that you can easily fix or adjust yourself. Also, if something is wrong and you don't know what it is, how will you ever know if you can trust a repair shop?

Your best bet is XENTRY for your Mercedes, but at the very least get something like BlueDriver. You won't be able to do much more than scan and clear codes, but at least you will have that.
Absolutely. Anything is better than nothing. Once you get a taste for bi-directional, you will never go back. That becomes the minimum acceptable feature.




Reply 3
Sep 25, 2024 | 01:28 AM
  #107  
Quote: Cool to know.
I would hope never to want to or need to scan my GL450. (Hey let me dream lol) Now my Smart car with a lot of Mercedes engineering and logic. I intent to Scan and look through anything it will allow. A current TCM fault causes a random 1 min 20 sec starting delay, a manageable issue but makes it an unreliable get-a-way car. So I will get two 2012 GL450 keys now and pick up a scanner of this level during the Internet sales season.
This sort of scanner is indispensable if you own older cars, especially German. My Launch X-431 V tablet has done everything I needed to do and coded many "hidden" functions or coded out annoying functions for Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi as well as diagnosing many more. Avoiding one trip to the dealership service and the downtime (time = $) saving frustration etc. more than pays for the better $700-ish tablet. The "baby" Launch seems to do pretty much everything the more expensive one does, but comes with limitation of software for only one make. I own a few cars at a time and service many cars amongst the family and neighbors.

Note - for MOST key generation you will need a Launch IMMO product specific for keys and immobilizer functions, and might need the add-on IR programmer box thing, as you will to do Mercedes.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 01:41 AM
  #108  
Quote: Fwiw our 2019 Ford Expedition Limited Stealth edition has some cool stuff our Mercedes doesn't, like a very functional 360 Camera, and adaptive cruise that works really well. I know those were options on the Benz... The Ford SUV seats are as comfortable as the W, and they have forced air cooling and heating, and are real leather not Artico
Both my ML63 and GL550 from 2015 have all of this. I would not buy any MB or "luxury" car with fake leather package. If a car costs this much, I want some dead cows! ML63 has napa leather covering basically every surface too. Both have massage seats which are really nice on longer trips.

I looked at a loaded Expedition for the wife when we bought the CPO GL550. It felt like a fat F150. She really wanted the Navigator and I thought the loaded up Expedition would be the same, but they feel totally different. Ford has cheap materials inside, stiff clunky ride. Navigator had air suspension I believe, much nicer cabin, and the "Raptor" engine had some guts, not sure if it was the same as the Expedition, but same year, about 2018 when the body changed. Lincoln is really proud of the Navigator, and I got a beautiful CPO GL550 for much less. Similar miles, a few years older, top specs.
Reply 0

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Sep 25, 2024 | 08:37 AM
  #109  
Quote: This sort of scanner is indispensable if you own older cars, especially German. My Launch X-431 V tablet has done everything I needed to do and coded many "hidden" functions or coded out annoying functions for Porsche, Mercedes, and Audi as well as diagnosing many more. Avoiding one trip to the dealership service and the downtime (time = $) saving frustration etc. more than pays for the better $700-ish tablet. The "baby" Launch seems to do pretty much everything the more expensive one does, but comes with limitation of software for only one make. I own a few cars at a time and service many cars amongst the family and neighbors.

Note - for MOST key generation you will need a Launch IMMO product specific for keys and immobilizer functions, and might need the add-on IR programmer box thing, as you will to do Mercedes.
neat stuff, it does lets you purchase/rent other makes for a cost/subscription based on a month or year.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 09:13 AM
  #110  
Quote: neat stuff, it does lets you purchase/rent other makes for a cost/subscription based on a month or year.
I forgot that the LAUNCH scanner does allow you to purchase additional vehicles files from the Mall. WiFi updates are also very convenient.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 10:13 AM
  #111  
Quote: I forgot that the LAUNCH scanner does allow you to purchase additional vehicles files from the Mall. WiFi updates are also very convenient.
Sadly it is not permanent, it is only a month or a year whichever was chosen.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 10:20 AM
  #112  
Quote: Sadly it is not permanent, it is only a month or a year whichever was chosen.
Yes, but it is available, even if renewed annually.
Reply 1
Sep 25, 2024 | 10:27 AM
  #113  
Quote: Yes, but it is available, even if renewed annually.
The family usually owns brands I am willing to help with; otherwise, they are on their own. When I was in the Honda or Toyota phase that is what we owned. Now, if it is not MB, they pay for the renewal of the software, not me; however, I will do what is needed if within my comfort zone.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 10:37 AM
  #114  
After doing a ton of research and comparing different scanners, I ended up going with the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner, and honestly, I’ve never looked back. It does everything I need for my Mercedes—from reading and clearing codes to more advanced diagnostics. What really stood out to me was the support that comes with it—there are tons of tutorials and videos online that walk you through the process step by step, which has been super helpful. Plus, the support team is great if you ever need them. One of the best things, though, is that it supports all makes and comes with free lifetime updates, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing costs. If anyone’s on the fence, I’d definitely recommend giving it a look. It’s been a solid tool for me, and the lifetime updates were a huge selling point. Not the cheapest especially if you only car about MB diagnosticvs but for what it offers and if you need multiple vehicle support its a no brainer
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 10:39 AM
  #115  
Here is a picture of my scanner just for refernece.
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 11:50 AM
  #116  
Quote: After doing a ton of research and comparing different scanners, I ended up going with the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner, and honestly, I’ve never looked back. It does everything I need for my Mercedes—from reading and clearing codes to more advanced diagnostics. What really stood out to me was the support that comes with it—there are tons of tutorials and videos online that walk you through the process step by step, which has been super helpful. Plus, the support team is great if you ever need them. One of the best things, though, is that it supports all makes and comes with free lifetime updates, so you don’t have to worry about ongoing costs. If anyone’s on the fence, I’d definitely recommend giving it a look. It’s been a solid tool for me, and the lifetime updates were a huge selling point. Not the cheapest especially if you only car about MB diagnosticvs but for what it offers and if you need multiple vehicle support its a no brainer
Quote: Here is a picture of my scanner just for refernece.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...211c2535bb.jpg
What was the price of it, did you have a chance of comparing what was missing on the Launch?
Reply 0
Sep 25, 2024 | 04:00 PM
  #117  
You can have all the scanners you need, but first please get an ebay knock off WIS/EPC .
Without wiring diagram and WIS, you go in blind.
Learn the system ( the car ), on weekends, think of WIS is a Playboy magazine..... enjoy it

Scanners are not a total solution, it is a good assistance but sometimes it may lead you the wrong rabbit hole if you DO NOT understand the system where WIS often have
special document explaining what interacts with what and what duty the modules will do and we get to make less mistake.

One word of caution : WIS search engine is a true piece-of-shi-et............... but if you spend enough time, you will get good at how to search.


Reply 1
Nov 29, 2024 | 10:27 PM
  #118  
Quote: Issue with the above MB reader. System update and now I.have no Benz, sprinter or mayback? Auto detect says software is missing. It continues to download the benz package, installs but still no benz.

Cheers
Did you ever resolve this? I'm having the same issue...now doing a factory reset. Takes forever because it's downloading software for the these different manufacturers.
Reply 0
Nov 30, 2024 | 01:32 AM
  #119  
Plug a USB charger into the Creader somewhere where you have fast strong Wi-Fi and the updates run much faster. Trying to do it with the Creader plugged into the car in your driveway is an exercise in frustration
Reply 0
Nov 30, 2024 | 08:21 AM
  #120  
Quote: Plug a USB charger into the Creader somewhere where you have fast strong Wi-Fi and the updates run much faster. Trying to do it with the Creader plugged into the car in your driveway is an exercise in frustration
If you have the Elite Benz V2.0 it also has a built-in battery.
Reply 0
Nov 30, 2024 | 08:22 AM
  #121  
Factory reset did the trick....just left it overnight and everything installed fine.
Reply 0
Nov 30, 2024 | 09:12 AM
  #122  
Does the Launch scanner read wheel speed sensor failure ? I have code 1425 on my 2011 E550 and it is related to the wheel speed sensors. However I can't find any live data on wheel speed sensors with my icarsoft 2.0 MB (updated software). I stopped by my indi and they have a Snap-On reader. They could tell it was the RR wheel speed sensor that failed in just a few clicks. Tried a Blue Driver scanner and had the same results. Thanks in advance!
Reply 0
Nov 30, 2024 | 09:43 AM
  #123  
Quote: Does the Launch scanner read wheel speed sensor failure ? I have code 1425 on my 2011 E550 and it is related to the wheel speed sensors. However I can't find any live data on wheel speed sensors with my icarsoft 2.0 MB (updated software). I stopped by my indi and they have a Snap-On reader. They could tell it was the RR wheel speed sensor that failed in just a few clicks. Tried a Blue Driver scanner and had the same results. Thanks in advance!
I've not used it for that, but it is much more capable than iCarsoft or BlueDriver. I would say that the LAUNCH scanner is as good as my Autel MaxiDAS DS808 scanner. If you get it through Amazon and don't like it, you can always return it.

(Currently, the LAUNCH scanner is $151 for Cyber Monday on Amazon.)
Reply 2
Dec 1, 2024 | 08:19 AM
  #124  
Or $109 at
https://kingbolentool.com/products/l...c-tool-scanner
Reply 1
Dec 1, 2024 | 09:11 AM
  #125  
Quote: Or $109 at
https://kingbolentool.com/products/l...c-tool-scanner
That's a good deal. KINGBOLEN is located in Hong Kong. Do you know if they ship from there or have a warehouse in the US?
Reply 0
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