Reading Codes
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 439
From: Ball Ground, GA (N of Atlanta)
2003 S500 2007 GL450
Reading Codes
Most of our cars are very complex, and the standard advice in case of problems is, "Go to the dealer or an indie and get the codes read".
While this advice is very often the best possible, there is something else to consider...
Our cars (at least those newer than the mid-nineties) are required to be OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Version II) compliant. This means that any decent OBD-II code reader will read almost all of the active and stored codes that might affect emissions. For example, my inexpensive OBD-II reader immediately told me that my intermittently non-starting S430 had a stored trouble code reporting intermittent failure of the crankshaft position sensor. No dealer needed for that one!
If you are having engine problems, you might consider taking the car by one of the auto parts stores that offer free diagnostic code reading. It will only take a moment, and might tell you exactly what is wrong.
While this advice is very often the best possible, there is something else to consider...
Our cars (at least those newer than the mid-nineties) are required to be OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Version II) compliant. This means that any decent OBD-II code reader will read almost all of the active and stored codes that might affect emissions. For example, my inexpensive OBD-II reader immediately told me that my intermittently non-starting S430 had a stored trouble code reporting intermittent failure of the crankshaft position sensor. No dealer needed for that one!
If you are having engine problems, you might consider taking the car by one of the auto parts stores that offer free diagnostic code reading. It will only take a moment, and might tell you exactly what is wrong.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
From: Chicago, Naperville area
2005 Mercedes S600, 2004 Mercedes E500 4-Matic, 2002 Mercedes C32 AMG, 2001 Trans-Am WS-6
+1, but I'll take it a step further and say obtaining a STAR/Xentry-DAS system has paid for itself even more. Being able to pull up more detailed errors and codes that go beyond the basic CEL...not to mention the diagnostic and step by step how to with the WIS. For example, where the basic OBDII Code reader may indicate "P0410" (secondary air system), the DAS will tell you which component (like a bypass valve) and allow you to even trigger the pump on and off manually for testing.
