SL/R129: Diagnostic tools
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
2004 CL500
Diagnostic tools
I need to diagnose what is causing my 1997 SL600 to crank but not fire. I know that icarsoft sells devices that will work on my car. But I don't want to spend the money only to find out that what is wrong with my car is beyond what I can spend or beyond the car's worth. I have seen videos of people cobbling up a device to count flashes but I don't know if this will work on my car. If any of you have any experience with pulling codes from 1997 vintage SL600 please let me know. If you have seen anything applicable to my situation please send me a link.
Thank You
Thank You
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 34
Likes: 4
From: Colorado Springs, CO
1997 SL320, 1972 TR6, and 1981 Euro 230CE
I purchased the iCarsoft MB V2.0 unit w/38-pin adapter (two separate items) a few months ago for my recent acquisition of a 1997 SL320. It does a nice job of reading the various modules. It's certainly not equivalent to the STAR solution but then again I only spent about $200 on Amazon and I've been quite happy with it. When you select the R129 series on the menu, it goes out and reads the VIN...you do not have to specify which model (320, 500, 600) you have. It will autoscan the modules and report back on fault codes, allow you to clear them, or dive into the details. It's pretty simple to use. Don't be distracted by the Multi-Vehicle unit...you want the MB V2.0 one.
Link here: and here:
I seem to remember seeing posts that the Autel unit works too but I have no specific information on that one. You really have to be careful which one to purchase.
I don't think the "flash mode" is supported on 1997 models but I could be wrong.
Link here: and here:
I seem to remember seeing posts that the Autel unit works too but I have no specific information on that one. You really have to be careful which one to purchase.
I don't think the "flash mode" is supported on 1997 models but I could be wrong.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 701
Likes: 207
From: Lutz, FL
1997 MB SL600
My 97 SL600 had the crank/no start issue and it turned out that a wire in the hood on the driver's side was compromised by a too long hood hinge bolt. This caused a short during cranking.
During my own troubleshooting, I found the car would fire, but only if I shot some fuel into the throttle bodies. The fuel rail was pressurized, but the injectors weren't firing.
I couldn't figure it out, so I took the car to a very competent independent mechanic that specializes in our cars and they went through the wiring harness until they found the issue mentioned above.
Even with the diagnostic tools, they had to access the wiring diagrams to check continuity and grounds.
During my own troubleshooting, I found the car would fire, but only if I shot some fuel into the throttle bodies. The fuel rail was pressurized, but the injectors weren't firing.
I couldn't figure it out, so I took the car to a very competent independent mechanic that specializes in our cars and they went through the wiring harness until they found the issue mentioned above.
Even with the diagnostic tools, they had to access the wiring diagrams to check continuity and grounds.
