What's a better than average OBDII reader?
 

I am now wanting to by myself an OBDII reader. Not sure what to buy, but Actron 9180 seems to have what I need. Or not?

To be used for my 202 and 163, and future others.

I would appreciate thoughts and comments.

I just bought an Actron CP9175 on Ebay for $80. Haven't had a chance to use it yet.

My Actron code reader will only read engine codes. You can buy a software package and a converter to read all the other ones, trans etc. The converter is a small box with a connector that plugs into the OBD port and another connector into the serial or USB port. The voltage signals are different.

For instance:

http://www.myscantool.com/

and there are more.

The sky is the limit - how much do you want to spend?

You sure outer space is not the limit? I've seen some expensive tools!

I guess I'd like to spend less than 200 bucks, that's why I mentioned the 9180 which hits that cost limit, but if a much cheaper one does the same thing, then I'd rather spend less. Right now I only have two cars I can use it on, but I am quite sure I'll be selling some off and getting some of my "want" cars - a V12 129, another 163 for the wife, a C36, and a 94 E500.

Have you tried one of these? I don't think anything other than engine codes are even present at that port, no matter what hardware/software package you attach there.

To get other codes, you need to plug into the Mercedes diagnostic connector. On my car, it's in the under-hood fusebox.

Why not check E-bag for a used Snap-on Mt 2500 scan tool.
It works well on mercedes vehicles and others if you get the cartridges.

I've seen them on the bag for anywhere from $500 to $3000.oo.

I bought a used one with all the cartridges and M/B cables, Bmw cables, keys, the works for $500.oo.

I just went to ebay to chck this out. There's over 500 items! What am I supposed to buy to scan my cars?

Check out Jim Forgione's S500 site. He has a good discussion of scan tools, including the schematics to make one yourself. I did, and found the code book on the net as a .pdf. Works nicely.

Spook

I bought the adapter from these guys and use my laptop. Works fine. The real-time read-out from the O2 sensors is slick.

http://www.obd-2.com

This is exactly what I did, I got an old MT-2500 scan tool from fleabay for around $300 and then ponied up $550 for the MB specific cartridge kit from a local Snap-on dealer. The kit I bought contained everything needed (software, cables and personality keys) for Mercedes from around 1990 through 2003. I was somewhat hesitant to spend close to $1,000 on a scan tool but my thought was "I'll be driving a MB car from this time period for at least another decade - I should be able to make up the outlay over that time period"

The Snap-on tool is pretty good for an advanced DIY'er - It will read/reset codes from most of the subsysterms (engine, transmission, climate control, SRS, ect, ect) read adaptations (engine and transmission) has a variety of actuator tests (for example I can manually activate the EGR valve or smog pump, selectively cut-off fuel flow on a particular injector) and it has a wide variety of real time data that I'd guess is read off the CAN.

The MT-2500 is no substitute for the SDS or HHT but it's capabilities are way beyond your garden variety OBDII scan tool. AFAIK at the the $200 dollar level you are going to get some variation on the standard OBDII reader.

Sounds like the thing to do is just keep watching ebay for a low priced MT-2500 and parts.

Ah, hell. I went all-in. Bought the MTG2500 with MB specific stuff up to 2003.
I hope it pays for itself in the next decade or two!

How much?

Well, I went from less than 200 bucks to $1100 delivered with a complete brand new mb kit good through 2003, a used, er, pre-owned, color graphing 2500, charger, case, manuals, etc. I didn't buy any items for any other car than benzes, because that's all I have.

I think in the long run, I'll save money and aggrevation though.

Does anybody know the name of this disease, and the cure?