What exactly is involved when connecting to diagnostics?

[Jason1145]

What exactly is involved when a main dealer or a MB Specialist connects your car up to a diagnostic machine?

Is it just plugging in their machine to the OBD2 port like we can do with an icarsoft reader, but with more features?

I’m genuinely interested if it’s worth to take a car for a diagnostics reading, over scanning the car yourself with an icarsoft, if both machines would give the same error code?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

What exactly is involved when a main dealer or a MB Specialist connects your car up to a diagnostic machine?

Is it just plugging in their machine to the OBD2 port like we can do with an icarsoft reader, but with more features?

I’m genuinely interested if it’s worth to take a car for a diagnostics reading, over scanning the car yourself with an icarsoft, if both machines would give the same error code?

That’s right, they just plug into the OBDII port. A main dealer will have the specific software for Mercedes - others might too but it’s not a given.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

What exactly is involved when a main dealer or a MB Specialist connects your car up to a diagnostic machine?

Is it just plugging in their machine to the OBD2 port like we can do with an icarsoft reader, but with more features?

I’m genuinely interested if it’s worth to take a car for a diagnostics reading, over scanning the car yourself with an icarsoft, if both machines would give the same error code?

Mercedes machines are alot more intelligent than an icarsoft scanner . But codes will be the same

 

[DSM10000]

The Mercedes system may also be needed if parts need coding. Some other high end diagnostic machines can code some items but some features will be Mercedes only because certain changes require the data card that identifies the vehicle and it's build specification to be updated

 

[markjay]

A specialist will have a genuine MB STAR diagnostic computer (not a clone), with an active subscription. STAR can:

- Access all ECUs on the car
- Change configuration and settings on the various ECUs
- Check for latest software, download it from MB's central computer, and update the firmware on the car's various ECUs
- Perform SCN coding, where retrofitted options can be added to (or deleted from) the car's Datacard
- Offer next-steps diagnostic process

These functions are only available with STAR.