Martian999
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2022
- Messages
- 2
- Location
- Lincolnshire
- Car
- 2002 CLK320 Avantgarde - 2005 E270 Avantgarde - 2007 Range Rover TDV8 3.6
Hi There Everybody.
I believe that there has been much debate about the various diagnostic OBD Scanners that are available for the Mercedes range of vehicles.
Everybody seems to have their own preference and I would, therefore, welcome your thoughts/comments regarding the following: -
MB Star - (Possibly a tad too expensive)?
Carsoft MB 7.4 - (38 Pin).
Foxwell NT Pro 530 - (38 Pin).
ICarsoft MB V2.0 / V3.0 - (OBD only).
As I also own a Range Rover I decided to invest in an iCarsoft LR V2.0 and it had soon paid for itself when I encountered a fuel delivery problem that put the Rangey into 'limp' mode.
I was working on my E270 Estate, (W211), at the same time and replaced all of the front control arms and ball joints and I also stripped and serviced the brakes and replaced the rear handbrake shoes.
I seriously considered purchasing a Mercedes specific iCarsoft Scanner, (just in case of any brake related errors and a need to pulse the ABS when bleeding the circuits when I had finished stripping the calipers), but then decided it would be more cost effective to sell the soecific iCarsoft LR model and buy the iCarsoft Multi Car, (10 Makes), Scanner instead.
The multi Scanner arrived and it works fine on both the Range Rover and the E270, (W211), and I never realised just how many electronic modules were on my E270!!!
I have recently 'acquired' my latest project vehicle, (2002 CLK320 - W208 I believe?), which was sold as 'faulty' due to an auto transmission issue and priced accordingly!
The owner had provided the diagnostic error code which would appear to point to the infamous gearbox 'Electroplate' issue but I just need to confirm the quoted transmission error codes before I empty the box and then remove the filter and the suspect electroplate!
The more astute forum members will know what I am going to say next!!
The CLK320, (W208), was manufactured before all of the electronic modules were accessible via the standard OBD port.
The various electronic modules have to be accessed via the 38 pin diagnostic socket in the engine bay.
I believe that the majority of modules are accessible via different pins and the earlier diagnostic scanners have to use a 'multiplexer' to interrogate all of the different pins in order to request and read module data.
Obviously the later iCarsoft Scanners, (and many other alternatives), are only equipped to use the standard 14 pin OBD port, (usually located in the drivers footwell area), and are not capable of reading data from the 38 pin diagnostic socket.
Therefore I need to identify a suitable scanner that will connect to the 38pin socket and read the various modules from this location.
Obviously the official Mercedes Star diagnostics tool will do this, (with the correct leads and multiplexer), but this looks a tad expensive!
Carsoft, (not to be confused with iCarsoft - I believe they are tdifferent nt company's), does the original MB V7.4 and V12 Systems.
'System' denotes both hardware and software supplied to read data from the 38 pin diagnostic socket.
I have read lots of conflicting reports as to the functionality of these systems, (there seems to be more favourable reviews of the V7.4 System as opposed to the latest V12 System)?
I certainly do not want to cast any aspersions and I am only stating my observations to date from posts read from many sources.
I actually logged onto the Carsoft website, (I believe that the company is based in Belgium), and sent a message to them asking a few questions about their V12 system).
I was most impressed as I received a call back, within minutes, from a chap named Geert who was most helpful and further explained the issues around my CLK and the fact that the modules do not share the same data bus - hence the need for the 38 pin cable and a multiplexer!
Geert even provided me with a discounted price should I wish to purchase a second diagnostic tool for my later E270!
I note that there has been some interesting discussions regarding a subscription based tool called 'Carly' but I have yet to research this alternative further!
That leaves the other diagnostic tool that I have read some good reviews about - the Foxwell NT Pro 530.
This seems to receive positive reviews but it does not appear to be readily available in the UK but can be obtained from Europe and the States - subject to additional import taxes of course!
Decisions, decisions!
Any comments and suggestions gratefully received as always and apologies for the lengthy introductory posting!
Martian.
I believe that there has been much debate about the various diagnostic OBD Scanners that are available for the Mercedes range of vehicles.
Everybody seems to have their own preference and I would, therefore, welcome your thoughts/comments regarding the following: -
MB Star - (Possibly a tad too expensive)?
Carsoft MB 7.4 - (38 Pin).
Foxwell NT Pro 530 - (38 Pin).
ICarsoft MB V2.0 / V3.0 - (OBD only).
As I also own a Range Rover I decided to invest in an iCarsoft LR V2.0 and it had soon paid for itself when I encountered a fuel delivery problem that put the Rangey into 'limp' mode.
I was working on my E270 Estate, (W211), at the same time and replaced all of the front control arms and ball joints and I also stripped and serviced the brakes and replaced the rear handbrake shoes.
I seriously considered purchasing a Mercedes specific iCarsoft Scanner, (just in case of any brake related errors and a need to pulse the ABS when bleeding the circuits when I had finished stripping the calipers), but then decided it would be more cost effective to sell the soecific iCarsoft LR model and buy the iCarsoft Multi Car, (10 Makes), Scanner instead.
The multi Scanner arrived and it works fine on both the Range Rover and the E270, (W211), and I never realised just how many electronic modules were on my E270!!!
I have recently 'acquired' my latest project vehicle, (2002 CLK320 - W208 I believe?), which was sold as 'faulty' due to an auto transmission issue and priced accordingly!
The owner had provided the diagnostic error code which would appear to point to the infamous gearbox 'Electroplate' issue but I just need to confirm the quoted transmission error codes before I empty the box and then remove the filter and the suspect electroplate!
The more astute forum members will know what I am going to say next!!
The CLK320, (W208), was manufactured before all of the electronic modules were accessible via the standard OBD port.
The various electronic modules have to be accessed via the 38 pin diagnostic socket in the engine bay.
I believe that the majority of modules are accessible via different pins and the earlier diagnostic scanners have to use a 'multiplexer' to interrogate all of the different pins in order to request and read module data.
Obviously the later iCarsoft Scanners, (and many other alternatives), are only equipped to use the standard 14 pin OBD port, (usually located in the drivers footwell area), and are not capable of reading data from the 38 pin diagnostic socket.
Therefore I need to identify a suitable scanner that will connect to the 38pin socket and read the various modules from this location.
Obviously the official Mercedes Star diagnostics tool will do this, (with the correct leads and multiplexer), but this looks a tad expensive!
Carsoft, (not to be confused with iCarsoft - I believe they are tdifferent nt company's), does the original MB V7.4 and V12 Systems.
'System' denotes both hardware and software supplied to read data from the 38 pin diagnostic socket.
I have read lots of conflicting reports as to the functionality of these systems, (there seems to be more favourable reviews of the V7.4 System as opposed to the latest V12 System)?
I certainly do not want to cast any aspersions and I am only stating my observations to date from posts read from many sources.
I actually logged onto the Carsoft website, (I believe that the company is based in Belgium), and sent a message to them asking a few questions about their V12 system).
I was most impressed as I received a call back, within minutes, from a chap named Geert who was most helpful and further explained the issues around my CLK and the fact that the modules do not share the same data bus - hence the need for the 38 pin cable and a multiplexer!
Geert even provided me with a discounted price should I wish to purchase a second diagnostic tool for my later E270!
I note that there has been some interesting discussions regarding a subscription based tool called 'Carly' but I have yet to research this alternative further!
That leaves the other diagnostic tool that I have read some good reviews about - the Foxwell NT Pro 530.
This seems to receive positive reviews but it does not appear to be readily available in the UK but can be obtained from Europe and the States - subject to additional import taxes of course!
Decisions, decisions!
Any comments and suggestions gratefully received as always and apologies for the lengthy introductory posting!
Martian.
