So, I知 taking it to an Indy to have the codes pulled and a proper diagnosis. If the repair is not extremely difficult I値l do it myself, if the opposite is true then I値l let the Indy do it.

I also have a E320 CDI and I知 starting to grow tired of paying for code reading and simple diagnostics.

Is there a fairly reasonable diagnostic scanner that I can purchase that I can use on both my 1999 E300D and my 2005 E320 CDI?

Any recommendations?

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Currently Driving
2006 E320 CDI
1999 E300 Turbo Diesl
2002 ML500
1995 E320 Station Wagon


MBs I've owned
1997 E320 Assassinated by Pine Tree
1987 300E Wife Killed Engine
1981 300D Stretch Limo Total Loss
1970 250 Coupe 212,000 mi.
1974 450sel 184,000 mi.
1974 240D 377,000 mi.
1977 300D 204, 000 mi.
1979 280se God Only Knows!
1983 240D 130,000 mi.
1972 220D 280,000 mi.
1983 300SD 244,000 mi.

Unfortunately there is really only one game in town for the W210 diesels. That is the HHT or a Star/Xentry clone computer. The W210 was designed at the inception of OBDII and it has a seriously hobbled implementation. Basically the bare minimum to meet the requirements of the day which was power train codes related to emissions. The various electronic modules in the car are connected by dedicated serial data lines to the 38 pin connector in the main relay/fuse box on the drivers side. I don’t know of any diagnostic computer on the market other than a cloned multiplexer and laptop running Xentry that can talk over this port.

The W211 has a better OBDII implementation and there are many third party scanners (iCarSoft, Snap On, Autel, etc) that are capable of pulling codes and doing rudimentary setting changes.

Of course the multiplexer and Xentry can do anything the dealer can, with one exception. The cloned Xentry computers cannot be placed on the internet under any circumstances. If the servers at Bosch find the cloned computer it will issue a kill order and shut it down permanently. Keeping the computer isolated prevents this from happening. I have one of these and I have the Ethernet port and Wi-Fi disabled in the BIOS and have removed the drivers for these devices from Windows so there is no chance this computer can see the internet even by accident.

There are certain maneuvers, called SCN coding, that are used to initialize new modules, particularly the core function modules for the power train. It requires a handshake back to Germany to properly initialize these modules. Cloned Xentry cannot do this. You can go into Version Coding and make settings changes (for example, if you want the dash display in km instead of miles, or you add the iPod adapter to the stereo). But you cannot update the VGS (transmission conductor plate on a 722.9) that has an integrated controller.

Back to your car.
Your 2005 E320 CDI has the same family 722.6 transmission as your 1999 E300. These have an external transmission controller. Inside the transmission is a conductor plate, that holds speed and temperature sensors, and several solenoid valves.

The controller gets the data from the speed sensors, and combined with inputs from the power train controller, command the various valves in combination to engage and disengage the bands, clutches, and torque converter lockup.

There is a significant amount of diagnostic data in the transmission controller that cannot be extracted from the 1999 E300 implementation without Xentry or HHT. There are a multitude of fault codes in the system that get boiled down to a handful of generic fault codes (P07xx) that can be read out of the OBDII port.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son痴 DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

As a fairly new owner of a 1998 e300TD I look forward to hearing what you find out on your transmission. I hope it痴 nothing serious. Everything I know about this particular car has been learned here on the forums by generous folks willing to share their knowledge.
I am floored by the lack of paper manuals and the specialized equipment required for this car. Although this is a wonderful car and I have no current issues, this makes me think about selling and looking for an older, simpler model. A model I can actually get a repair manual for. Sorry, just venting and scared that I might have to take it to the dealer somed day.
Anyhow, I wish I could be of some help.

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1998 E300 Turbo Diesel, 221k Miles
2018 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 4X4, V6, 19k Miles
2007 Honda CRV, 115k Miles
2011 Kawasaki Trans Mule, 212 hrs, (grandkid hauler)