1998 E320 Obd

[knuckle_buster]

Hey, this looks like a great forum... Glad I found it.

My check engine light came on last week on my 1998 E320, with the dash display telling me there is a problem with the engine electronics. So I ordered an Auterra OBD scanner to use with my Treo 650 phone. Apparently that phone will do everything except wipe my rear.

The literature available on the web for the scanner (I haven't received it yet) says that it works with all 1996 and later OBD systems, including the ISO 9141 standard that is used on Mercedes.

But now I'm concerned about the connector. The scanner interfaces with the standard oblong 16 pin OBD. I've located the 38 pin round diagnostic connector in the engine compartment, but I've also found reference to the standard 16 pin connector being under the driver's dash on the Mercedes http://www.whnet.com/4x4/diagnostic.html. Does my car have both? It seems like I would have an easier time finding a jumper cable if I have to use the 38 jack (I found this http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150090668024 on ebay, but it has to come from England).

[TMAllison]

It's above your left knee on the drivers side.

[knuckle_buster]

Thanks very much.

I guess this may be a stupid question, but why are there two diagnostic connectors? Does the 38 pin provide the same info, plus additional "proprietary" functions? I don't really need to know the answer, but the curiosity is killing me.

[TMAllison]

suspect the techs dont like to stand on their head to plug it in....

the bigger one is going to be for SDS. The smaller for OBDII compliance.

[mbdoc]

The 38 pin connector will diagnosis the complete car...the ODB2 connector on THAT car will only "talk" to the engine fuel system.

OF course ODB2 scanners will only talk to the fuel system.