Anyone for full Carsoft diagnostics?

[stats007]

Last time I looked Carsoft was about £5k, not sure what the basic software goes for.

 

[fredfloggle]

hang on a minute - carsoft comes complete with ODB cables etc - why the need for the housebrick with wires ? unless..........

 

[fredfloggle]

holy moly ! five clicks - STAR diag can't be that much more - it might be worthwhile for a commercial enterprise , but not for the dedicated bodger .

Just out of interest - I wonder if it has been sniggled already - WIS/STAR is available on emule , not that that I agree with it particularly.

I suppose I was hoping it might be more DIY priced , but as it stands that is too much wedge for an SRS light . shame.

 

[LeaUK]

You wont get Star Diag as it's dealer only and you won't be able to afford Carsoft!

The SL R129 uses both ODB and the elder multiplexing technology of code readouts (hence the brick) which can be simply read by an LED, but it's much 'nicer' to have an all-in-one package read both isn't it! See the schematics floating around on eMule...

Forget the discussion on software piracy, that's down to the individual. Write you're own protocol analyser if you wish, but you can now purchase the associated hardware to help. Let's stop discussing copyright infringment/piracy BS as it's prolific across the industry...let's concentrate on our cars...

Will this item be useful for you? Maybe? Maybe not! ???

Lea

 

[fredfloggle]

Wrong on both counts I'm afraid - I have a copy of STAR but it really needs a dedicated machine - Maybe you know something about my finances that I don't , but I can afford Carsoft - I just don't choose to .

Actually I find the discussion quite interesting - someone purchased a brick for use with carsoft , but carsoft comes with an OBDII interface , and I just wondered why someone would need to buy the brick too - that has since been clarified with the statement regarding the other protocol used for older mercs .

Software piracy may be down to the individual - if that is the case , it is better to keep your intentions under your hat - Truth is Piracy is theft , and yes , I know most people do it , but there is a division between a downloaded MP3 and a crack of carsoft (possibly not legally) -
Would I buy carsoft at £5K as an individual ? No - Would I purchase a limited license ? Yes .
The individual using cracked carsoft doesn't really harm the market , he would never have bought it in the first place (even though the use is a bit slimy) - however by definition if a cracked version is available , then a trader will also have access to it - which is carsofts market .

As I said , I have been on the downside of piracy , and it is pretty unpleasant when someone gets fat off of your work .

 

[stats007]

You wont get Star Diag as it's dealer only and you won't be able to afford Carsoft!

The SL R129 uses both ODB and the elder multiplexing technology of code readouts (hence the brick) which can be simply read by an LED, but it's much 'nicer' to have an all-in-one package read both isn't it! See the schematics floating around on eMule...

Forget the discussion on software piracy, that's down to the individual. Write you're own protocol analyser if you wish, but you can now purchase the associated hardware to help. Let's stop discussing copyright infringment/piracy BS as it's prolific across the industry...let's concentrate on our cars...

Will this item be useful for you? Maybe? Maybe not! ???

Lea

Not sure I agree Lea - promoting the use of illegal software isn't something I'd advocate - even if it's 'just for our cars'. If all you're interested in is code readouts and resetting then like you say, you can do all of this without the need for Carsoft.

OBD2 doesn't support CAN so most diagnosis is still done through the 38-pin socket.

 

[Harley Man]

Best way forward is to buy a second hand Sun/Snapon MT2500 diagnostic unit with all the software to suit most of the cars in the uk, mine only cost me £500 and is like new! It seems to do everything except speedometer "correction"!! Its saved me and friends a fortune .

 

[Wully]

Can the Sun/Snapon MT2500 code or is it error reading only?

 

[LeaUK]

I have access to the MT2500 and it's rather poor when reading elder SLs (pre around '97/98) as it will only read engine diagnostic data. You will need either Star Diag (+ hardware) or Carsoft (+ hardware) for SL modules other than engine management.

Frederigo, please accept my apologies re your finances . I'll put that one down to typing before engaging my brain correctly - or even at all! I am suitably embarrassed and my intention was simply to imply that it doesn't make much sense to purchase privately assuming it's just for single use!

Re Star Diag well yes the software is available (as most software is on many p2p networks), but you need hardware as you do with Carsoft.

stats007, (I'm a little hurt), how did you interpret from my comments that I'm promoting piracy in any way shape or form? I was just trying to advocate that we didn't turn this thread into one long discussion about piracy as that's way to big for this small thread. Maybe my poor English skills again - only managed a grade 'C'


For the record I certainly haven't said, implied, intended or condone in any way shape or form the use of non-licensed software products (BTW I'm a Software programmer too), but just wanted to point out that one could write their own protocol analyser (software) and interface to the new multiplexer should they wish. Or perhaps (and one should check the EULA first) one could purchase a license and couple to this robust and inexpensive multiplexer.

Just because I have made this device public by the way of a simple post in these forums, please do not think that I condone the use of illegal or hacked versions of software.

I simply wanted to make those with an interest in diagnostics (as I have been for over 4 years) aware of something new.


Lea

 

[fredfloggle]

OK , shall we try again ?
May I ask if you had to wait a long time for the 'box to turn up from HK ? is there any other converter that will work with carsoft - my vehicle only has the 16 pin plug under the dash , at least that is all I think it has .
I assume you paid them by credit card .

Regarding the sun/snapon code reader , can that reset airbag lights ?

 

[stats007]

stats007, (I'm a little hurt), how did you interpret from my comments that I'm promoting piracy in any way shape or form? I was just trying to advocate that we didn't turn this thread into one long discussion about piracy as that's way to big for this small thread. Maybe my poor English skills again - only managed a grade 'C'
Lea

Hi Lea, apologies if I'm getting the wrong end of the stick but this comment made me think it:

Let's stop discussing copyright infringment/piracy BS as it's prolific across the industry...let's concentrate on our cars...

To me that implies you're saying because everyone has illegal software then it's OK for us to do it as we're enthusiasts.

 

[LeaUK]

Oh, I sortof see now....

There are always several ways of expressing one's opinions and as a result I guess multiple interpretations! Your thoughts were not as was intended - amazing is the English language eh?!


fredfroogle, I do not own one so cannot help much here sorry.

Lea

 

[Harley Man]

Fredfoggle asked: Regarding the sun/snapon code reader , can that reset airbag lights ?

Yes it can, what model is your car?

 

[miro]

I dont believe that CarSoft can do everthing Star Diagnose can do. I have seen people try to code cluster functions in the ML and B class with puzzled looks on their faces.

Does CarSoft overcome the need for SCN coding ?

 

[whizzkid11]

Hi Guys, just to through a spanner in the works - i purchased one of the PowerScan plug, press and read utilities from the US - and it works great. It cost a few £'s and does the job.

I have an M5 as well and bought a Peake Research tool, again from the US, and I have used that on many forum member' BMWs to check, diagnose and reset many fault codes.

I really depends on what you want to do - I wish I had the time and inclination sit down and programme my own analyser - but tbh - I would only want to that if I was planning on getting into modding, or remmapping etc etc.

Just for basic diags, I plug in the powerscan and press the buttons.

If anybody wants to try it - I am based in Watford.

Good on you Lea, I would look to write that analyser, and maybe even open up the brick and clone it.... the potential for an alternative to Carsoft... ideas like this become reality....

Regarding the software piracy front - it exists everywhere, its down to the individual - however, no matter how many obstacles are put in the way the solutions are there at the same time... quite often generated by the same guys!

 

[LeaUK]

Whizzkid11

Many thanks for your words of encouragement - although I'm not quite sure cloning a clone is morally correct either. However I don't believe it's illegal to clone hardware, our company goes to quite some lengths to avoid exactly this. Software can be 'protected' by law (of course many don't apply to China or simply regularly ignored) but not efficiently by any software protection/dongle system - as we all should know. Those trying to protect against illegal distribution are facing an uphill struggle and I sympathise. Although it's not all bad, some companies use illegal pirating to actually promote their products. Lea, STOP here...!!!

The schematics for the one-shop multiplexer are widely available, however at its core sits a 8052 uC which unless you have firmware reverse engineering skills will prove time consuming to decompile in order to carry our protocol reconstruction - probably much easier to buy the box, analyse the serial stream and write your own GUI.

I can visualise a real nice .net GUI running from either laptop or PDA....

BTW - the main advantage of this multiplexer is to provide multiple module support for elder Mercs whom do not use ODB1/2 for their interface, like the soft-top, roll bar and alarm modules. These output the rather dated (but functional) pulse code which traditionally can read by a simple LED. However having a 'box' do the counting and interfacing with the correct 32/16 way header is rather useful and reduces the risk of damaging the module electronics from dabbing LED wires into pins!

Lea

 

[stats007]

K & L line data is available through the 38-pin diagnostic anyway - don't all MBs have these? Mine has OBD2 as well but neither the dealer nor I have used it.

 

[miro]

K & L line data is available through the 38-pin diagnostic anyway - don't all MBs have these? Mine has OBD2 as well but neither the dealer nor I have used it.

Most current models have OBD power and central gateway pins only (CAN D). There are now only very few exceptions to that configuration (e.g. B-Class Xenon lamps are still running a K-Line and so on).

38 pin technology is often seen engraved with images of Copernicus.

 

[fredfloggle]

Fredfoggle asked: Regarding the sun/snapon code reader , can that reset airbag lights ?

Yes it can, what model is your car?

it is a 2003 (53) model C class coupe (W203) . Wouldn't mind trying to find someone local (Hertfordshire) with one of these - as I mentioned , I think this fault was probably spurious and has cleared - if it hasn't however , I don't mind fitting the airbag - it is a walk in the park to do , but I am led to believe the SRS light still requires a reset afterwards (it won't clear down automatically .

Give me an industrial controller with Fieldbus any day of the week !

 

[fredfloggle]

As you said Lea - somethings are better left unsaid - while you may not cost anyone anything by using a knocked off copy of software , people (particularly in the software industry) can get quite hot under the collar when these issues get raised .