Any code readers that work with MB?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Any code readers that work with MB?
I was at a parts store this morning and saw a shelf full of code readers. Priced from $40 to about $200. Some seemed to do a lot of stuff and display real time and historical data etc. Does anyone know which of the off the shelf code readers, if any, are good to use with a 2000 C280? I have an intermittent ABS/ESP warning light coming on issue I'd like to see if I can diagnose myself. The local store charges $85 just to plug the car into a machine to read the codes. If I did that twice I'd have a reader paid off. Not sure if it is as simple as it seems. The guy at the shop said they look at the data from the wheel sensors and if they see for example that when the code came up the R/F wheel was showing 0 MPH and the other 3 wheels were showing 65MPH then the likely problem would be the R/F wheel sensor. If it basically is that easy to troubleshoot I'd rather pay for a code reader to fix the problem myself and then have a reader sitting around for the next time an error comes up. Am I being naive or is buying a reader a good idea?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,260
Likes: 6
From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
I was at a parts store this morning and saw a shelf full of code readers. Priced from $40 to about $200. Some seemed to do a lot of stuff and display real time and historical data etc. Does anyone know which of the off the shelf code readers, if any, are good to use with a 2000 C280? I have an intermittent ABS/ESP warning light coming on issue I'd like to see if I can diagnose myself. The local store charges $85 just to plug the car into a machine to read the codes. If I did that twice I'd have a reader paid off. Not sure if it is as simple as it seems. The guy at the shop said they look at the data from the wheel sensors and if they see for example that when the code came up the R/F wheel was showing 0 MPH and the other 3 wheels were showing 65MPH then the likely problem would be the R/F wheel sensor. If it basically is that easy to troubleshoot I'd rather pay for a code reader to fix the problem myself and then have a reader sitting around for the next time an error comes up. Am I being naive or is buying a reader a good idea?
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Ontario
2004 E320, 2001 CLK320, 2001 C320
code readers
Any car made after 1994 [i think thats the right year] will have diagnostic plug in for an OBD2 code reader. The codes are split into two distinct sections.
1] Universal codes that every single manufacturer uses for the same component.
2] generic codes where manufacturers can identify problems with sensors only there make uses.
most code readers come with a disk that tells you what the codes mean, but as the previous reply stated that does not help a novice because sometimes further diagnostics are needed.
One very important point is these readers only work on ENGINE CODES. when your check engine light is on its an engine code.
For troubleshooting other non engine components, transmissions, brake ABS, ASR, SRS etc you need a much more advanced system that usually cost several thousand dollars.
1] Universal codes that every single manufacturer uses for the same component.
2] generic codes where manufacturers can identify problems with sensors only there make uses.
most code readers come with a disk that tells you what the codes mean, but as the previous reply stated that does not help a novice because sometimes further diagnostics are needed.
One very important point is these readers only work on ENGINE CODES. when your check engine light is on its an engine code.
For troubleshooting other non engine components, transmissions, brake ABS, ASR, SRS etc you need a much more advanced system that usually cost several thousand dollars.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 11
From: Iowa
2019 S450
code reader
Try WWW.autotap.com. They have very good unit for not too much money and it interfaces with your own laptop..
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 303
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
It changes all the time
The guys are right. Even a $200 code reader won't tell you much. I'll put it this way. If a $200 reader would work, why do shops and professional mechanics spend thousands on a code reader. Even if you pull up a code that says something like " fuel trim implausable", what does that mean? I'm afraid these new cars come with a new cost of ownership. Gone are the days of grabbin a beer and changing that carb yourself on Sunday.
