Yard sale Star system, did I do okay? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 09-26-2020, 07:12 PM

A friend told me about a yard sale where a guy was selling a lot of Euro car repair tools, so I went today and had a look. The first thing that caught my eye was an all-car radiator pressure tester. I know I can use this. Right next to it was an aluminum case with "STAR" written on it. I thought, could this be what I think it is? Sure enough, it was. It was the MB branded multiplexer and cables, no computer or software. I asked the guy how much?, and he answered $300 for both. I thought for a moment, and figured the pressure tester was at least worth $50, so $250 for the multiplexer, cables and case seemed like a great deal. I paid the man his asking price without bargaining, and went on my way. What say you? Did I do okay? I now need to find a computer and software. Anyone got any ideas?

Dan Stokes · #2 09-27-2020, 11:07 AM

I got nothin'. I've never priced this equipment but it sounds like you're half way there. Hope you can find the rest of the system or maybe a way to use a laptop or.......

Dan

psaboic · #3 09-27-2020, 11:09 AM

Same, I got nothin, but I'm sure with a Google search you can find operating instructions and the software. Worst case scenario, you could reach out to the gentleman you bought it from and see if he can help. Either way, I think you scored pretty good!

ejboyd5 · #4 09-27-2020, 11:21 AM

$300, and how often will you use that?

ROLLGUY · #5 09-27-2020, 01:54 PM

I just looked on ebay, and it appears that I in fact did very well. Most everything available is a Chinese copy, and more than $300.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2060353.m570.l1311&_nkw=mercedes+benz+star+diagnostic&_sacat=0 It also appears that I can get a hard drive with the software for less than $100. I think shertex or jay_bob might be able to shed some light on this subject. How about it guys?

ROLLGUY · #6 09-27-2020, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejboyd5

$300, and how often will you use that?

It will be used on every Mercedes-Benz I am working on that needs any or all of the following:

reading trouble code
erasing trouble code
live-data
component testing via real time actuation of various solenoids and etc
speed limiter adjustment
maintenance procedures via Mercedes WIS (Workshop Information System)
parts look up via Mercedes EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog)

dude99 · #7 09-27-2020, 02:51 PM

Just as an FYI the Chinese copies are MB branded as well. But even if your hardware is a knock off you still did well. The software is available in several places online. PM me if you want more info.

ROLLGUY · #8 09-27-2020, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

Just as an FYI the Chinese copies are MB branded as well. But even if your hardware is a knock off you still did well. The software is available in several places online. PM me if you want more info.

For sure mine is NOT a Chinese copy, and I am happy about that.

dude99 · #9 09-27-2020, 03:34 PM

Just out of curiosity, what makes you so sure?

ROLLGUY · #10 09-27-2020, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

Just out of curiosity, what makes you so sure?

Mostly because of it's age, and the reputation of the Euro shop (it was originally gotten from) that quit business. This one is made in France.

jay_bob · #11 09-27-2020, 07:13 PM

Yep to complete the puzzle you need a laptop and hard drive from eBay.

The hard drive has been cloned from a dealership system hard drive.

You should be able to do everything you listed except that on the W212/W164 (i.e. starting around 2010-2011) you can't change many of the settings as they require 'SCN Coding' which is online only.

Since you have a cloned system you cannot let the computer see the internet under any circumstances. I went in the BIOS on my laptop and disabled the wifi and Ethernet ports just to make sure it never got connected. If it manages to get online then it will reach out to the Bosch servers and it will get a 'kill' command which will render your copy usesless.

ROLLGUY · #12 09-27-2020, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

Yep to complete the puzzle you need a laptop and hard drive from eBay.

The hard drive has been cloned from a dealership system hard drive.

You should be able to do everything you listed except that on the W212/W164 (i.e. starting around 2010-2011) you can't change many of the settings as they require 'SCN Coding' which is online only.

Since you have a cloned system you cannot let the computer see the internet under any circumstances. I went in the BIOS on my laptop and disabled the wifi and Ethernet ports just to make sure it never got connected. If it manages to get online then it will reach out to the Bosch servers and it will get a 'kill' command which will render your copy usesless.

Understood about the internet connection. What seller or unit would you suggest? I see the hard drives for $89 or less, but will they fit a laptop? I think 2009 will be the latest I will need to work on. The WIS and EPC will probably prove to be the most valuable to me.......Rich

dude99 · #13 09-28-2020, 10:58 AM

I can't remember what year it is, but there is one that I believe makes using the C3 system (your multiplexer is a c3) more difficult. There are two options for running the software. You can get virtualized software (will run on any laptop, but is a little on the slow side) or you need the correct model of IBM thinkpad that was the same one Mercedes used (these are quite expensive, even no that they are like 15+ years old.)

Poke your head over to mhhauto.com, theres a lot of fluff to sift through, but there is some good info over there.

jay_bob · #14 09-28-2020, 04:11 PM

The seller of the hard drive will tell you what kind of computer it is meant to go in. Normally these are IBM Thinkpads, because that is what the original software ran on.

But also there are many out there that use Dell D6xx which are a dime a dozen on eBay. This was a go to corporate computer in the mid 2000s (I was issued one of these, by two different companies I worked for, in that era) and the secondary market is full of them because they are actually pretty decent computers.

Of course the reason it's computer specific is due to the hardware complement on the machine. If you were to try to stick a Thinkpad disk in a Dell the drivers would be all wrong for the hardware.

Just be sure and do yourself a favor and replace the CMOS battery whenever you do get a laptop. Mine went out and it lost all its settings and I had to fool with the BIOS a good bit to get it working right again. On the Dell D6xx it is under the keyboard but very straightforward to change out.

ROLLGUY · #15 09-28-2020, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

The seller of the hard drive will tell you what kind of computer it is meant to go in. Normally these are IBM Thinkpads, because that is what the original software ran on.

But also there are many out there that use Dell D6xx which are a dime a dozen on eBay. This was a go to corporate computer in the mid 2000s (I was issued one of these, by two different companies I worked for, in that era) and the secondary market is full of them because they are actually pretty decent computers.

Of course the reason it's computer specific is due to the hardware complement on the machine. If you were to try to stick a Thinkpad disk in a Dell the drivers would be all wrong for the hardware.

Just be sure and do yourself a favor and replace the CMOS battery whenever you do get a laptop. Mine went out and it lost all its settings and I had to fool with the BIOS a good bit to get it working right again. On the Dell D6xx it is under the keyboard but very straightforward to change out.

Would this be a good one?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/IBM-ThinkPad-T500-15-4-Intel-Core-2-Duo-CPU-3GB-RAM-250GB-HDD-Windows-7-Pro/254726890225?hash=item3b4ee7e2f1:g:zS4AAOSw2bVfam2P