Diagnostics - A possible no brainer???

[johnb]

Hi All

I really need to get my car on to some proper diagnostics to get to the bottom of my continuing woes.

The car is a 2003 S210 320 CDI (I6 Engine) which repeatedly goes in to soft limp mode, and despite my best efforts I have not been able to fix it.

So do I spend the £50 (Plus VAT) with my local indy for a one off diagnostic session on Star.............or do I buy a Carsoft 7.4 Multiplexer from China for about £50 all in.

This would be a Carsoft compatible multiplexer (all systems) and not just the Carsoft interface. Including all leads - I already have the software up and running.

This would give me, hopefully, enough diagnostic power to sort my car, plus I have it to use time and time again at zero cost.

What say the collective wisdom??

Johnb

 

[c220cdi2010]

no idea what this would give you above a obdii bluetooth connector and torque app from android play store - all i used eve for fault code and then a good internet search
max cost is £20, and then can also do realtime mpg/boost/torque monitoring with it also

 

[johnb]

Yes got all that, but the soft limp does not log a fault code that you can read with generic OBD code readers.

So although the car is in limp, when you look for fault codes, none are shown as DTC's or pending DTC's.

Hence the need for something more suited to Mercedes diagnostics and not just general purpose.

 

[bob6600]

If you are going to buy one, spend the extra and get a STAR setup. C3 is fine and will do everything you need it to.

4x diagnosis at you indie's rates and it pays for itself. If you ever decide to sell it, you will get at least 50% back

 

[johnb]

With a budget of two buttons, one of which is broken, I'm not sure that I could justify spending £200 on a C3 Star.

With the kind of fault I have, I'm sorta hoping that the £50 Carsoft 7.4 gubbins will show me the way forward.

The car only cost me £1K..........after all!

Johnb

 

[W210Virgin]

Don't let what you paid for the car put you off. It's what it is worth to you what counts. Mine is a 2002 and cost double that but but there's very little out there would replace it for 10 times that. £50 is nothing for a diagnostics check especially with a good indie.

 

[bob6600]

The reason I suggested the purchase is because this limp mode can be a pain. I know you have spend a few quid on parts but this is well worth it. STAR is very good BUT you could need it diagnosing more than once, in which case it makes even more sense.

 

[johnb]

OK, looks like I might be saving my buttons and go for broke and buy a C3 Star.

Does anyone lend these things out within the forum, or is that just too trusting?

I know when I used to rebuild Porsche 928's I was happy to lend specialist tools out, and also borrowed a few in my time. All done through the club/forum. Never had a problem, if it got broke it just got fixed at no cost to the lender. Actually don't remember that ever happening, but that was the understanding.

 

[bob6600]

You based anywhere near the wmids?

 

[johnb]

I'm just into Cornwall, about 20 miles north of Plymouth

 

[dr.ant2000]

I bough Autel md802 DS elite - very good device. I had a problem with SRS ligh on 2007 w204 220CDI and manage to clear code with no problem. Not everyone can afford to buy a device. Device can erase a mistake only if original problem was sorted.

 

[guydewdney]

I have a carsoft i no longer need as it doesn't work with my 211 and the wife bought a vw golf plus to replace her 210 e300td

It worked perfectly with her car and my 202. Id buy one again in your boots.

 

[johnb]

You interested in selling your carsoft?

 

[guydewdney]

You have pm switched off. I might, but have lent it to a local garage as it has the plugs for really old stuff and sprinters too, which he didnt have. Ill ask him if it works with his system, if it doesnt then its of no use to him and yes, its yours for some paltry sum.

 

[johnb]

brilliant, I need 30 posts to enable the PM thing, last checked it was at 28. let me know how you get on.

 

[dikdik]

You have pm switched off. I might, but have lent it to a local garage as it has the plugs for really old stuff and sprinters too, which he didnt have. Ill ask him if it works with his system, if it doesnt then its of no use to him and yes, its yours for some paltry sum.

Which model Carsoft is it please Guy as I have a w202 and also looking for a tool that will work on this model

 

[guydewdney]

7.2 iirc.

Like MB diagnostic tool scanner Multiplexer carsoft 7.4 Mercedes Benz | eBay this.

really good, on the early stuff as good as snapon etc. Utterly pointless on a 2004 car

 

[johnb]

Any joy with the carsoft gubbins?

 

[guydewdney]

Sorry. Will call hi in the morning

 

[E270 Owner]

Dont bother, take it to some one who knows what they are doing with MB Star inside your cars ECU's.

Tinkering around with Carsoft isn't a good idea, it can be buggy and dangerous in its operation even with experienced fingers,
a generic code reader would be better and safer for you if you just want to do a scan of the main ECU's