Code clearing - a question.......how

[Steve Holland]

Hi folks very quick question

What is the best and cheapest fault code reading/checking and clearing tool available?

Idea of cost - best place to buy?

For use with a 1996 C180 Estate.

many, many thanks.

 

[Stratman]

Best or cheapest? Your choice

 

[jaymanek]

1996 might be before OBD, you need to see what type of port you have.. You will have a round 38 pin port in the engine bay as opposed to the rectangular 16 pin standard port on newer cars.

For this you will need a MB specific code reader... they are on ebay..

 

[Pendragon]

The hand held code readers will not read your car as far as I can determine. I have several of them and some of them are expensive but they will not do my car which is 38 pin w202 c240.

I now have a toughbook with software on it and a multi-plexer which I bought purposely to read my own motor.

Cheaper for you to go to a local Indie and have them clear the codes using a Star or Car Soft rather than buy one.

Keith

 

[andy27168]

Hi,
There are "some" that will plug into the 38 pin MB diag. Skt. with an adapter lead, though they are limited to what they can access.
To be honest its not worth it on a car of 96 vintage, as the only code that stays on is the SRS light, all other lights extinguish once the fault has been rectified, though the fault codes are logged occur it does not have any effect on the car.
An investment in a STAR system IMO is only worth it if you have an MB 2000 on.

 

[bedwards1966]

I got an OBD/OBD II reader off eBay, as I recall it was around the £40 mark. It works on my 1999 W202 230k (I can't see why it wouldn't work on your car, they should be the same), it reads and clears engine codes (and tells you on the screen what they are, no looking up the numbers as some of the cheaper ones require). It also does live data.
I had to buy an adaptor lead to adapt the standard adaptor to the round plug needed to fit it to the car, simple.
Cheap sets won't do any ABS/airbag codes, only engine codes, but they can be useful.
I can probably find a link to the one I bought if needed.

 

[Steve Holland]

I got an OBD/OBD II reader off eBay

That looks like the one's I have seen on ebay, I do have the 38 pin socket on mine and I have seen that there is an adapter for this they state that they can read all the codes, tell you what it is and clear them?

If you have a link then that would be great as there are a few and if yours works fine then I will get the same - the cheapest of the best is what I am after.

My aim is to see what codes are coming up to see if there is a reason for my coil packing up so suddenly last week and also to monitor my gearbox fault as it keeps trying start using all the gears again. - Don't worry I know what the gearbox fault is so no need to discuss the problem.


​

 

[mejermy]

I've been delighted with a U480 bought a couple of weeks ago.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ield-keywords=u480&x=0&y=0&tag=amazon0e9db-21

Used on my S211 220cdi to clear self imposed codes during an EGR shunt fitting. It worked perfectly.

 

[Pendragon]

I got an OBD/OBD II reader off eBay, as I recall it was around the £40 mark. It works on my 1999 W202 230k (I can't see why it wouldn't work on your car, they should be the same), it reads and clears engine codes (and tells you on the screen what they are, no looking up the numbers as some of the cheaper ones require). It also does live data.
I had to buy an adaptor lead to adapt the standard adaptor to the round plug needed to fit it to the car, simple.
Cheap sets won't do any ABS/airbag codes, only engine codes, but they can be useful.
I can probably find a link to the one I bought if needed.

I would be interested to know what code reader you bought that would read the pre 2001 C Class models as none of mine will and would like to get one that would so I can keep it in the car rather than carry my laptop around with all the gear that goes with it.

Keith

 

[bedwards1966]

I bought one of these:
Any Car Diagnostic Engine Fault Code Scanner Tool OBD | eBay
to read the codes, it was 8 months ago but as I recall I thought it the best combination of price and usability for something to read a few codes every now and then.
I also bought one of these:
MERCEDES BENZ 38 to 16 Pin OBD OBD2 II 2 Adaptor Cable | eBay
to allow it to be connected up.

Having read this:

I do have the 38 pin socket on mine and I have seen that there is an adapter for this they state that they can read all the codes, tell you what it is and clear them?​

I'm a little confused. My car, which I'd expect to the same as yours being pretty much the same design, just with a different engine, has a 16 pin round socket under the bonnet, on the right if you are stood facing the car. It's part of a black box, near the windscreen, and the actual socket is covered by a round cap you twist to remove. Most code readers only come with the 38 pin plug, which is why I bought the adapter lead, I'm sure your car won't have the 38 pin socket either.

 

[bedwards1966]

I would be interested to know what code reader you bought that would read the pre 2001 C Class models as none of mine will and would like to get one that would so I can keep it in the car rather than carry my laptop around with all the gear that goes with it.

Keith

See the post I've just done above.
You've actually seen pictures my tester working in this thread:
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/130692-fault-codes-1999-w202.html
showing the live data side. It seems to read it all OK - understanding the problems can be another matter though!
BTW, I've also used it successfully to read codes on a W reg Jaguar.

 

[Pendragon]

I have one of these and it will not read mine at all (I run a car diagnostic business in Cardiff). I can read most Mercs except the pre 2001 w202 C Class models unless I use my Star or Carsoft.

Is the W202 C240 listed on your code reader?


Keith

 

[Steve Holland]

Have got a 38 pin socket. I have counted every pin!!!!

 

[Pendragon]

According to the manufacturers the D900+ only covers the following Mercedes but no mention of the W202 C Class models.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Mercedes Benz C200
KMercedes Benz C200
KTMercedes Benz C240 (203)Mercedes Benz C32 AMG (203)Mercedes Benz C320 (203)
Mercedes Benz C43 AMG (202)Mercedes Benz C55 AMG
Mercedes Benz CL200
KMercedes Benz CL230
KMercedes Benz CL500 (140)Mercedes Benz CL500 (215)
Mercedes Benz CL55 AMG (215)
Mercedes Benz CL600 (140)
Mercedes Benz CL600 (215)
Mercedes Benz CL600 (215)Mercedes Benz CLK320 (208)Mercedes Benz CLK430 (208)Mercedes Benz CLK500 (208)Mercedes Benz CLK55AMG (208)Mercedes Benz E320 (210)
Mercedes Benz E430 (210)
Mercedes Benz E500 (210)
Mercedes Benz E55 AMG (210)Mercedes Benz G500
(463)Mercedes Benz G55 AMG (463)Mercedes Benz ML320
(163)Mercedes Benz ML350 (163)Mercedes Benz ML430 (163)Mercedes Benz ML500
(163)Mercedes Benz ML55 AMG (163)Mercedes Benz S430
(220)Mercedes Benz S500 (220)Mercedes Benz S500L
Mercedes Benz S55 AMG (220)Mercedes Benz S600
(220)Mercedes Benz S600L
Mercedes Benz SL350
Mercedes Benz SL500 (129)Mercedes Benz SL55 AMG
(129)Mercedes Benz SL600
(129)Mercedes Benz SLK200KMercedes Benz
SLK230 (170)Mercedes Benz
SLK320 (170)Mercedes Benz
SLK320 AMG
Mercedes Benz SLK32AMG (170)
Mercedes Benz SLK350
[/FONT]

 

[bedwards1966]

I have one of these and it will not read mine at all (I run a car diagnostic business in Cardiff). I can read most Mercs except the pre 2001 w202 C Class models unless I use my Star or Carsoft.

Is the W202 C240 listed on your code reader?


Keith

When using it it doesn't list specific models, you select the manufacturer and then it just reads the codes or live data, as simple as that. I don't seem to have anything with it listing what it's supposed to cover, all I can say is that it works on my car. The only thing I've found it not to do is read the VIN number, I put that down to it being an older system, but as to engine codes and live data it's fine.
What years/models of the w202 have you tried yours on? I'm on a 1999 230k (s202 estate), and assume that all the petrol models from 96-01 should be using the exact same system. I'm guessing that they are using EOBD not OBD II, I'm assuming that OBD II became the standard replacement for the older EOBD?
It's interesting how your one doesn't read them, is it the same model as mine, does it read OBD, OBD2 and EOBD as my model claims to do?

Have got a 38 pin socket. I have counted every pin!!!!

I'm surprised, as above I'd expect them all to be the same for the years of production.
My car is an estate, but surely there must be no difference with the computer systems and sockets between saloons and estates?

 

[Pendragon]

My model is a "W" Reg 2000 model and my D900 will not read a ruddy thing on it and neither will it read the w202 1996 C220 either.
Would love to get a handheld that would read it just for convenience.

Keith

 

[andy27168]

Your list has a 202 on it fourth on the list, if it reads a 43 it will read all MBs of a similar vintage as the wiring is essentially the same.

 

[Pendragon]

Well it will not read mine nor the w202 c220 pre 2001 so I guess the wiring is not the same since I have the same scanner. I have sent a email asking them to clarify whether it will or will not so will post the reply up here. Mine is 2 years old so I suppose if this is a updated model it may well read it. Will wait for a reply from them.

Keith

 

[spike60]

I have access to a Snap On Solus Pro, about £3k worth of scanner when new, and the only car from a varied range of makes and years it won't read is my 2000 CLK 320 with a 38 pin socket. I'd buy a cheap code reader if I was certain it would work but there seems no clear answer. My local indie wants £60 to read the codes, is that usual?

 

[Steve Holland]

Locally to me two Independant garages that work with and on Mercs want £40.00 an hour to hook mine up to a merc computer and I have another about 20 mile away (round trip) near Bolton that stated £40.00 and did it once for £20.00 cash and the second time for free. Ian at 124 also did a few checks a while back for me and with some other work included charged £50.00.

I reckon £40.00 is easily a fair price as for what work I have seen done it takes less than half an hour and with every one I have had to assist turning on the ignition and fluffing around helping out and on three occassions show them how to hook the thing up correctly!!!!