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.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

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

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

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.

__________________
Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.

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.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

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?

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

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

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

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.

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

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!

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport

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?

__________________
Thank You!
Fred
2009 ML350
2004 SL600
2004 SL500
1996 SL600
2002 SLK32
2005 CLK320 cabrio
2003 ML350
1997 C280 Sport