I am learning bits and pieces about how my 95 300D works mechanically and electrically and would like to check to see if there are any fault codes active. I have read threads that delve into the 38 pin connector but my vehicle has a 16 pin connector.

I have a multimeter and would like to know if it can be used to read codes and if so, the procedure for hooking it up and making the readings.

Thanks in advance for the help

Hi,

I cant really help you with your question, but i know taht you could use multimeter to read resistance values of your glow plugs. I think multimeter is used only to read electrical values, like resistance, voltage etc..


Otherwise you have to get a scanner that reads codes.


Hey, can you introduce your car, milage, some history, pictures

Guess I should explain a bit of what I do know (or think I know ;>) based on previous threads in this forum.

1) 96 and newer vehicles do require a scanner to read the codes due to use of OBCII
2) The 95 is the last year where homemade LED readers/multimeters can be used.
3) A multimeter with duty cycle capability can read the pulses that form the codes.
4) I think, but am not certain, that with the 16 pin connector and this car being a diesel, that I should ground pin 4 for 2-4 sec. (with the key on, engine not running) and then use my meter to read the pulses.

I get a bit leary about arbitrarily grounding any connection without checking a body of knowledge first.

Thanks again.....

__________________
95 E300D 206K
73 BMW 2002tii Touring
2004 Porsche Cayenne S
1995 Universal Marine Diesel (3cyl, 17hp)
2001 BMW R1100SA

Hmm, I have never heard of a mulitmeter that can read codes. I know that in my highschool last year, we used a SNAP ON code scanner even with the OBD1. I need to read up about the mulitmeter diagnostics. So basically it blinks a pattern that tells what code it is?>

Where can I find a book with all the codes?

Where is the diagnostics connector on a 95 E300D.

My understanding on the multimeter is that it needs to be able to read duty cycles...i.e. to be able to measure frequency and then essentially count the number of voltage spikes in each direction. Not quite sure what the reading off of the meter would look like while counting the "blinks" but somehow it correlates.

I not found the translations for the blink patterns for the diesel, but suppose that they can be found in the archives here. Maybe they are the same found on the 38 pin units???

As far as the diagnostics connector, it is located on the right hand side of the engine compartment, near the positive battery post. It is rectangular with a removable cover to protect the 16 pin connector (note, not all of the 16 pins are wired to a module, I think my unit has only 4 or 5 that are active).

Hope this helps.....

__________________
95 E300D 206K
73 BMW 2002tii Touring
2004 Porsche Cayenne S
1995 Universal Marine Diesel (3cyl, 17hp)
2001 BMW R1100SA