Code readers for both ODB1 and OBDII ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ps2cho · #1 06-02-2008, 07:37 PM

My dad wants to buy a code reader as his Jeep has problems, but he would also like it to read my w124 88 300TE (Does my car use OBDI?)...

Are there readers that can work for both of our cars?
(His 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L uses OBDII)

Thanks!

iwrock · #2 06-02-2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ps2cho

My dad wants to buy a code reader as his Jeep has problems, but he would also like it to read my w124 88 300TE (Does my car use OBDI?)...

Are there readers that can work for both of our cars?
(His 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9L uses OBDII)

Thanks!

Thats a cool Cherokee....

As far as reading codes from the MB, did you build the blinky light box thing to read the codes?

BAVBMW · #3 06-02-2008, 08:08 PM

The short answer is "no".

Before OBD II, manufacturers didn't all use the same connectors or languages. You had to have either separate tools for each make, or one tool with several different types of software and connectors. OBD II mandated that everyone used the same machine language and same connector, this opened up the market for companies to market "one-size-fits-all" scan tools for a price an average car guy could afford/justify. The older tools, where you had to have the software and connectors for each make, were (are) too expensive for an average guy to want to own. Besides, their coverage on German imports was always spotty at best.

So it seems that you are out of luck for your wants, but the good news is that he might be able to do alright finding an OBD II tools to use for his purposes. Sorry.

MV

ps2cho · #4 06-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iwrock

Thats a cool Cherokee....

As far as reading codes from the MB, did you build the blinky light box thing to read the codes?

No. Got any links?

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAVBMW

The short answer is "no".

Before OBD II, manufacturers didn't all use the same connectors or languages. You had to have either separate tools for each make, or one tool with several different types of software and connectors. OBD II mandated that everyone used the same machine language and same connector, this opened up the market for companies to market "one-size-fits-all" scan tools for a price an average car guy could afford/justify. The older tools, where you had to have the software and connectors for each make, were (are) too expensive for an average guy to want to own. Besides, their coverage on German imports was always spotty at best.

So it seems that you are out of luck for your wants, but the good news is that he might be able to do alright finding an OBD II tools to use for his purposes. Sorry.

MV

Ok thanks! Looks like he will just buy one for himself then.

BAVBMW · #5 06-03-2008, 11:48 PM

Oh wow. You must be new at the internet. You're not supposed to just go with the first correct answer you recieve. You're supposed to come back spouting off about how your cousin's friend had a scanner that worked on all cars, from a '69 Volkswagen to his other friend's Bugatti Veyron and it only cost him $70. And that guy at your uncles work who built his own scanner from a discarded GameBoy. And then someone else needs to chime in about how they have a scanner that works on their '99 Jeep and also their ex-girlfriends '03 C class, so maybe. If at all possible, you should try to get the thread to devolve into some sort of political shouting match, perhaps by suggesting that by saying it's not likely that you'll find the product you desire, that I'm part of the problem, and that the oil companies have gotten to me.

Geez... I just noticed you even said "Thank you", man, we have got to work on your message board skills!

MV

ps2cho · #6 06-04-2008, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAVBMW

You're not supposed to just go with the first correct answer you recieve.

Isn't that a bit paradoxical lol

JimF · #7 06-04-2008, 10:18 AM

As many know, I have 'pushed' the Palm Scanner (Menu#3) but it's no longer available (don't know of anybody selling it). It's perfect since it's self-contained, is small and fits nicely in your trunk. It reads/resets DTC and gives explanations of DTCs in MB-ese.

Neil (KE6DCJ) sent me some links for a "MB-scanner" that can do all MBs from 1987 to 2004, OBD or 38pin/16pin diag connector. The price is $90.

It does adaptation, live data to name a few important features. The 'bad' is that it requires a laptop to make it work. Other than that it looks like a great instrument.

Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fws%2Fsearch%2FSaleSearch%3Fsofocus%3Dbs%26satitle%3D260247764 477%26sacat%3D-1%2526catref%253DC5%26dfsp%3D32%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy%26pfid%3D0%26fsop%3D32%2526fsoo%253D2%26fcl %3D3%26frpp%3D50%26fvi%3D1&item=260247764477

LUVMBDiesels · #8 06-04-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BAVBMW

Oh wow. You must be new at the internet. You're not supposed to just go with the first correct answer you recieve. You're supposed to come back spouting off about how your cousin's friend had a scanner that worked on all cars, from a '69 Volkswagen to his other friend's Bugatti Veyron and it only cost him $70. And that guy at your uncles work who built his own scanner from a discarded GameBoy. And then someone else needs to chime in about how they have a scanner that works on their '99 Jeep and also their ex-girlfriends '03 C class, so maybe. If at all possible, you should try to get the thread to devolve into some sort of political shouting match, perhaps by suggesting that by saying it's not likely that you'll find the product you desire, that I'm part of the problem, and that the oil companies have gotten to me.

Geez... I just noticed you even said "Thank you", man, we have got to work on your message board skills!

MV

It is George W Bush's fault that there are no universal scanners for pre OBDII cars! He is being run by an OBD I conspiracy to keep us in the dark when it comes to our cars. If we had a universal ODB I tool, we could get 100000 mpg running on water! I know because I had a friend who had a friend who built one and got 1000mpg on his Unimog before the Governator had him disappeared in Malibu.

That satisfy you?

ps2cho · #9 06-04-2008, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimF

As many know, I have 'pushed' the Palm Scanner (Menu#3) but it's no longer available (don't know of anybody selling it). It's perfect since it's self-contained, is small and fits nicely in your trunk. It reads/resets DTC and gives explanations of DTCs in MB-ese.

Neil (KE6DCJ) sent me some links for a "MB-scanner" that can do all MBs from 1987 to 2004, OBD or 38pin/16pin diag connector. The price is $90.

It does adaptation, live data to name a few important features. The 'bad' is that it requires a laptop to make it work. Other than that it looks like a great instrument.

Link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fws%2Fsearch%2FSaleSearch%3Fsofocus%3Dbs%26satitle%3D260247764 477%26sacat%3D-1%2526catref%253DC5%26dfsp%3D32%26from%3DR7%26nojspr%3Dy%26pfid%3D0%26fsop%3D32%2526fsoo%253D2%26fcl %3D3%26frpp%3D50%26fvi%3D1&item=260247764477

Interesting. Do you guys think this is something I should purchase for my Benz? Can it pull live data for w124?

aklim · #10 06-04-2008, 03:26 PM

My Auto X-ray has plugs for both my 91 Corvette, 91 Firebird, 89 Merkur XR4Ti, 89 Merkur Scorpio (both Merkurs sold), my 99 E300, 01 Ford Ranger, 02 GMC Yukon XL and 01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke. Granted the 99 E300 and Powerstroke are limited in what I can see but I can definitely read codes.