Home OBD scanner?

[spinedoc]

I have an annoying check engine light on my 96 SL500 that the dealer says does not need to be fixed, but I will continue to have the check engine light go on. I really dont feel like paying $80 every time I want the check engine light turned off.

I have read about a couple of aftermarket scanners, in particular I am excited about www.autoxray.com . It can read codes and reset the check engine light, which is all I really want to do. Has anyone had any experience with these?

What is the connector that is used on my 96 SL500?
I have heard some dealers use propietary codes that do NOT show up on independent mechanics scanners, you need to use the dealer scanner to see these codes. Does MB do this?

Thanks much.

[RickM]

Mercedes may use some proprietary codes but the newer units shoud take this into account.

I'd try ebay and ask this specific questionm first. Here a unit that uses a palm pilot.... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2480243524&category=43989

[rbn3]

for 30 min to an hour - should re-set the computer. Don't forget radio codes. Any stored error codes will be lost. But it's free.

[wbain5280]

I bought a universal reader by ACTRON, for my Volvos. It reads the codes and can erase them as well as reset the MIL.

There are also PC programs available that have much more available on the diaplays. There is a converter cable from the car to the PC or Laptop. Consider one of these. Do a search on OBD-II or OBDII.