S-Class (W220) 1999-2006: S 320 CDI, S 320, S430, S 500, S 600

iCarsoft i980

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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 01:10 AM
  #1  
blackopal's Avatar
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2000 S430L, BMW 530i
iCarsoft i980

Hello all


I'm thinking of buying a scanner/reset tool - iCarsoft i980. Does anyone have one and if so, will it do the following things on my 2000 model W220

  1. Reset my airbag light
  2. Tell me if I have a bad wheel sensor

I have the dreaded ESP/ABS and 'heavy' steering issue. I've checked everything I can think of, my brain is fried, and I'd really love to know if a bad wheel sensor is causing it, rather than just start replacing gear.


I would take it to an Indy but I don't have any within 2 hours of where I live. There is a local garage but they're not big on Euro cars..


I did note that the iCarsoft i980 doesn't appear to do CLK C208, only the 209 body. This would be a slight shame if so as I also have a 208.


If anyone can help then that would appreciated.


cheers

ps I have a standard OB2 reader but that just picks up engine codes..
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 08:32 AM
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
It could be anyone of the wheel speed sensors, therefore you need DAS/Xentry to diagnose. On my car long time ago it was the right/rear sensor as diagnosed, and replacing it fixed the problem.

If you search the forums there are hints on cleaning the seat belt buckle latches to fix the SRS
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 06:26 PM
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2005 S55 AMG, 2005 S500
I have the icarsoft 980. few month ago, one of a speed wheel sensor went bad and light on. I hooked up and found faulty one and replaced with new part. But I was not able to delete the error code. So I had to go to the dealership and reset it. I also called to the icarsoft tech support but didn't work out. So I purchased DAS star system. icar980 does not delete all the error codes.

Last edited by bigmyself; Apr 24, 2016 at 09:05 PM.
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Old Apr 24, 2016 | 07:47 PM
  #4  
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2000 S430L, BMW 530i
Originally Posted by bigmyself
I have icarsoft 980. few month ago, one of speed wheel sensor went bad and light on. I hooked up and found default one and replaced with new part. But I was not able to delete the error code. So I had to got to dealership and reset it. I called to the icarsoft tech support but didn't work out. So I purchased DAS star system. icar980 does not delete all the error code.


It sounds like it still might be worth my while buying icarsoft 980. If I can pinpoint the cause of my fault and replace the item, then I can take it somewhere to have the fault cleared. Here in Australia, I'm up for $200 AUD for the iCarsoft i980. I can see on eBay an MB Star SD Connect C4 for $750 AUD as a comparison.


I've spent so much lately on parts and tools that my wife will wonder what I'm doing!
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 07:30 AM
  #5  
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2004 S600 Biturbo
The i980 is a good tool overall and I would recommend it for a basic DIY'er considering the price. It will not connect to all modules or all cars but it does cover far more than a standard OBD scanner. I have one and still use it in the shop on a semi-daily basis. It's just a lot faster and easier to carry than the full DAS setup when doing simple or preliminary diagnosis. If you end up with DAS later, you can still find use for the i980.

Just go into it knowing that the i980 is not a full diagnostic tool and you may find yourself frustrated at times. If it does not connect to a module, it does not mean the module is bad. It is most likely the scanner. It's not consistent either. For example, I can connect to some W220 S500 ESP modules but not others.
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 08:58 AM
  #6  
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From: Montreal, Quebec
2009 E350 4M Avantgarde;mistress 2002 S600; wife 2014 C300 4M
The $ 750.00 sounds off.

Used Dell 630 = about $ CAN 120.00 (with increased memory and 120g HD)
Set of 14 Xentry DVDs = $ US 70.00

MB C3/C4 cable and MUX set = about $ US 220.00 (from Alibaba)

Look into it!
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Old Apr 25, 2016 | 09:41 AM
  #7  
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From: MD
2005 S55 AMG, 2005 S500
Originally Posted by _Ryan
The i980 is a good tool overall and I would recommend it for a basic DIY'er considering the price. It will not connect to all modules or all cars but it does cover far more than a standard OBD scanner. I have one and still use it in the shop on a semi-daily basis. It's just a lot faster and easier to carry than the full DAS setup when doing simple or preliminary diagnosis. If you end up with DAS later, you can still find use for the i980.

Just go into it knowing that the i980 is not a full diagnostic tool and you may find yourself frustrated at times. If it does not connect to a module, it does not mean the module is bad. It is most likely the scanner. It's not consistent either. For example, I can connect to some W220 S500 ESP modules but not others.
I totally agree with you. So, I keep and use my 980 as quick check only..
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Old Apr 26, 2016 | 07:12 AM
  #8  
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From: Just north of Detroit,Michigan
2012 E350 4Matic P2
Originally Posted by blackopal
It sounds like it still might be worth my while buying icarsoft 980. If I can pinpoint the cause of my fault and replace the item, then I can take it somewhere to have the fault cleared. Here in Australia, I'm up for $200 AUD for the iCarsoft i980. I can see on eBay an MB Star SD Connect C4 for $750 AUD as a comparison.


I've spent so much lately on parts and tools that my wife will wonder what I'm doing!
I just purchased this SDS setup from DHgate for 278.81 USD = 360.42 AUD at todays exchange rates. You can get an external hard drive supplied to run with your existing laptop or purchase a Dell "D" series laptop which has a native R232 port and run the supplied internal hard drive, this is the preferred method.The only variable is the shipping from China to Australia, it's free to the US.

I have not recieved my setup yet so I can't rate the quality of the product but I have read in other forums that DHgate is a very highly rated supplier. However, that said, you should do your own research before making your purchase. Do a search here as well as Benzworld. Much experience has been written about and shared. Be sure to search each forum in its entirety.

My opinion is that you will always be lacking with anything less than an SDS setup and regret a lesser purchase. I have decided to stick with Mercedes for the near future so every advantage I can get to keep the ownership costs down and stay out of the dealership network will help make that happen.

Good luck,

Bob
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Old Apr 26, 2016 | 08:03 AM
  #9  
blackopal's Avatar
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2000 S430L, BMW 530i
Thanks for all that info Bob


The link to the product was interesting - their ad where they compare their product to others is a bit frightening. I guess there are some Chinese companies selling PC boards without all the components! That might explain a cheapo reset tool I had for an old BMW - it never worked and there appeared very little inside it!!


I might regret it now but I went ahead and ordered the i980 early this morning before I saw your post. I think I just set myself a mental $ limit and over that I was looking at a different strategy.
I realise now most of my previous car experiences have been largely pre-diagnostic type vehicles. Too many old cars have influenced my thinking!


cheers
Jim
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Old Apr 28, 2016 | 01:05 AM
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X431 launch is better and cheaper than the icarsoft

It works with an iPad or a phone or android tablet
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