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Is there a STAR alternative?

skattrd

Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
30
Location
Lincs
Car
Mercedes C32 & W202 C250TD
Apologies, I'm sure this has been asked before, but I did a quick search and didn't find an answer.

I need something to read SRS (airbag) and EPC (ABS/traction control) faults on my 2002 w203.
My generic Bluetooth reader and torque reads engine ecu only, same goes for my other code reader as well.

Does the icarsoft MB2 read the other ecus?

Will I need to eventually connect to STAR to reset SRS?

Should I just forget looking for alternatives and start looking for a cheap STAR system?
 
Don't bother looking for a cheap STAR system..there is no such thing . Dodgy copies and 2nd hand units with out of date software , yes, lot's of those around, but no 'cheap' ones

I have iCarSoft MB 2 and it is all the DIY owner will ever need , it can scan non MB cars and give generic codes , but for that I have a £15.99 unit from Lidl . Make sure you buy iCarSoft from a genuine source as they have also been copied. A genuine iCarSoft gets free upgrades for life (via a PC) I have said on here before, for anyone who owns a Mercedes Benz 'of a certain age' owning an iCarSoft OBD reader is a must.

On the box it says 'can turn off and re set ABS/SRS system codes' . I have not used this function.
 
Icarsoft MBII can for sure read and reset the SRS. I had an SRS light a while back which it reset. Never needed to try it for ABS etc but it does state that it can read these codes and many more.

A lot of info on the forum regarding codes and iCarsoft....
 
Don't bother looking for a cheap STAR system..there is no such thing . Dodgy copies and 2nd hand units with out of date software , yes, lot's of those around, but no 'cheap' ones

I have iCarSoft MB 2 and it is all the DIY owner will ever need , it can scan non MB cars and give generic codes , but for that I have a £15.99 unit from Lidl . Make sure you buy iCarSoft from a genuine source as they have also been copied. A genuine iCarSoft gets free upgrades for life (via a PC) I have said on here before, for anyone who owns a Mercedes Benz 'of a certain age' owning an iCarSoft OBD reader is a must.

On the box it says 'can turn off and re set ABS/SRS system codes' . I have not used this function.

Cheers, I'll have another look at the icarsoft MB2, and I suppose if it doesn't reset ABS/SRS then I can return it, as it does not perform as advertised...
 
If it is just a one off re-set then take it to a local Independent with Star for a diagnostic session.

I have an iCarSoft MB2 and it seems very capable but it is not just a question of reading a fault code on a system or subsystem, the knowledge to then properly interpret the data and then know what to look for is something only experience will bring.
 
It won't be just a one off, I tinker a bit myself as there isn't really a local independent around here (nearest is approx 20 miles away) so whatever I get would be used a bit.

I'm now reading up on the icarsoft cr pro, which looks to do most makes as well as Mercedes, so would be useful for other cars as long as it still has ALL of the Mercedes specific functions of the MB2.
 
On the iCarSoft Mb2 box it also states it can open and close brake calipers on EPB , re sets brake pad thickness and performs bi-directional tests such as ABS brake solenoid cycling...etc , etc.
 
Be aware that there is the MB2 and the MBv2. The latter is the newer model.

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Don't bother looking for a cheap STAR system..there is no such thing . Dodgy copies and 2nd hand units with out of date software , yes, lot's of those around, but no 'cheap' ones

Not sure I agree with that. I had mine and it was cheap, if you compare it to a genuine one. It could also be updated but you had to know what you were doing, wasn't as easy as clicking on 'update'. It was a god send on my W210 and paid for itself many times over and eventually sold for a decent price. Nothing is as in depth as Xentry for MB but for a DIY user, the iCarsoft is good enough.
 
We're trying to get a group buy of iCarsoft CR Pro off the ground. Need 20.
Group Buy of Isoft CR Pro ($$ Discount)

If this happens, for £175 plus postage, it will be really useful for me with other cars and is not that much more that the MB v2.0.
If you definitely only want MB compatible, then the MB v2.0 pop up now and again secondhand. There was one on here a day or so ago for £70 I think.
 
C3 is good for your cars, their clone prices are not very high (and their quality is not crap as newer clones). And there ARE genuine devices available too, about 1k price.

There are many thread 'DTC P26637?', 'what this fault codes means' etc. When reading codes even at carsoft it will not give explenation for code. Carsoft is widely used and you will get peer support easily.

SDS has more benefits than any other device; SDS will give possible culprits and guide through further diagnose (even sometimes is useless when you would need a MB connection box or with older cars guide book), you will get pinouts of connectors and wiring diagrams among others... plus you will get WIS and EPC with it. Yes, you can buy WIS and EPC or use them via some memberships...

I have used C3 over 10 years now, and just bought sdconnect when I couldn't do coding changes to my W212 anymore via C3.
 
The icarsoft pro group discount didn't get the numbers required but if you look at the thread it can still be bought for under £200 delivered.
Saving around £46 on the official price.
 
Cheers, but by the time I got round to checking the icarsoft group buy it had ended.
I'm getting close to 30 posts now, and one may turn up FS here ... so after 12 years I might be able to use the FS forum here.
 
Another vote for the icarsoft reader here, I like to play/tinker as well and it is a very capable piece of kit. It’s well supported/documented and gives access to live values and all the important systems.
It’s much more than a generic OBD reader
 
Yep, Autel, Snapon, Launch all make scanners that can provide bi directional access to MB systems. I've not found anything yet that I've had to access with my SDS that I could not access with my Autel. They do cost a bit of money.
 
Yep, Autel, Snapon, Launch all make scanners that can provide bi directional access to MB systems. I've not found anything yet that I've had to access with my SDS that I could not access with my Autel. They do cost a bit of money.

I take it you run some sort of garage/business?
 
iCarsoft Pro ordered from group buy, after a bit of offer cancelled, offer reinstated, devices out of stock, then back in stock.
I'm thinking it's 50/50 I'll get the one I ordered.

If I do get one I'll post back as to whether it can do the SRS and ESP stuff I currently need.
 

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