Good diagnostics tool

[Kingpin!]

I'm looking for a simple (yet powerful) diagnostic tool for my MBs. I have Carly today which is really nice for simple use but I need something that will take things a bit further and which can display live data, calibrate etc.

Any good suggestions?

I do understand that STAR is STAR but I guess there are alternatives which covers major activities just as good (and/or some even better/easier than STAR?)?

 

[alabbasi]

Lots of people have good things to say about the icarsoft. I've never used it because i have a star and an Autel. The Autel is fantastic and does other models

 

[Gazwould]

The iCarsoft the other day told me that the air filter was 8% full !

 

[Kingpin!]

Which specific models from Autel and iCarsoft do you guys have?

 

[Petrol Pete]

iCarsoft MB 2 . i have had mine a few years now , the upgrades are free and it does what it says on the box. Good enough for what most of us will need . I am happy with it.
If you do get one make sure it's the real thing, they have been copied and the copies will not upgrade online.

 

[Kingpin!]

Could you take a look (if it's easy) and see what type of tests can be performed on Airmatic with iCarsoft MB 2? I have trouble finding decent specifications on the net.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Could you take a look (if it's easy) and see what type of tests can be performed on Airmatic with iCarsoft MB 2? I have trouble finding decent specifications on the net.

Here are a few photos of the box it came in. I have not used any airmatic functions .

 

[Petrol Pete]

OOPS !! a few more than I expected

 

[Kingpin!]

Thank you for your effort! It seems that the text on the package is kind of generic for all their models?

 

[Petrol Pete]

On start up you scroll through a whole list of Mercedes Benz car/van/Smart car options including all engine , body styles, transmission type even LHD/RHD until you have pinpointed your exact car.
Then off you go with the code reading etc.

 

[Kingpin!]

Question is if it has more than fault codes for Airmatic (like reading live values and calibration etc.)?

 

[Deleted member 151559]

I got an icarsoft mb 1.0 and it was OK.

Showed me the fault code for brake pressure vacuum sensor that was stopping eco stop start working (i had to make this connection myself).

Would not work with the radar control unit which is why i bought it in the first place, so send it back.

I ended up with a STAR xentry setup. This blows anything I've ever used before out of the water.

It fully diagnoses the eco stop start function, showing all the sensors and criteria and runs through whats working - live values for sensors and the aforementioned vacuum sensor.

Fully diagnoses the radar system, showing me thew left rear sensor was not communicating and giving live values for the rest.


so....

an icarsoft will read fault codes

but a STAR will help you fully diagnose from a systems perspective. Thoroughly recommended.

 

[DSM10000]

I got an icarsoft mb 1.0 and it was OK.

Showed me the fault code for brake pressure vacuum sensor that was stopping eco stop start working (i had to make this connection myself).

Would not work with the radar control unit which is why i bought it in the first place, so send it back.

so....

an icarsoft will read fault codes

but a STAR will help you fully diagnose from a systems perspective. Thoroughly recommended.

An iCarsoft MB 2.0 will do far more than just read fault codes, it can test many systems, give live values, re-set some systems etc, agreed not as comprehensive as Star but the vast majority of Star systems for sale are Chinese clones without updates.

A Star system with manufacturer support is only available from MB and only supplied to accredited garages.

 

[Deleted member 151559]

Yeah the 1.0 can read live values, but you have to dig around a bit

The star guides you through the diagnosis nicely

 

[DSM10000]

Yeah the 1.0 can read live values, but you have to dig around a bit

The star guides you through the diagnosis nicely

I specifically wrote about MB V2.0 and as stated it can do more than display live values, it can re-set many systems. It is not as comprehensive as Star but then Star is overkill for many people. Star also requires a great deal of experience to use fully as it is the ability to interpret what the fault codes and diagnostics indicate is as important as reading them as it is to a degree with other systems.

Icarsoft will be updated but unless your Star is registered with MB and you pay a subscription then your Star is only as good as the current software it has installed.

 

[Deleted member 151559]

Conversely I find star far easier to use as it guides you through diagnosis of systems and adds interpretation shows diagrams where units are located and suggests checks e.g. with a multimeter to aid diagnosis rather than just presenting fault codes needing interpretation.

For my 2011 car I likely don't need any future updates.

 

[DSM10000]

Conversely I find star far easier to use as it guides you through diagnosis of systems and adds interpretation shows diagrams where units are located and suggests checks e.g. with a multimeter to aid diagnosis rather than just presenting fault codes needing interpretation.

For my 2011 car I likely don't need any future updates.

Hardly the point though and hardly comparable units. Was your Star system purchased from an approved MB supplier?

 

[Deleted member 151559]

Hardly the point though and hardly comparable units. Was your Star system purchased from an approved MB supplier?

Nope - it was bought used, probably came from China.

It's a myth that it's difficult to use. I had zero experience of using it - but within ten minutes I had diagnosed the two faults on my car.

 

[DSM10000]

Nope - it was bought used, probably came from China.

It's a myth that it's difficult to use. I had zero experience of using it - but within ten minutes I had diagnosed the two faults on my car.

No has said it is difficult to use, that would depend on your base knowledge before starting but the vast majority of people would not need something as complex.