I don't know if it's already been mentioned, but www.autoenginuity.com.

Has bi-directional support for most makes, however that usually has to be purchased seperately. Supports Mode 6 data, OBD readiness testing, etc... Plus, it's USB and runs on a PC so you can log data for as long as you like.

Looks nice, but appears to have limited W140 applications :-(

For any MB's newer than 2003, you need software loaded on the programmable VCI cartridge for MT2500, available for MB's up through at least 2006. However, I have never used it, and after my experience with the older Snap-On software, I would definitely obtain a unit to test on your car BEFORE buying anything. Maybe see if your local Snap-On rep can demo it on your car. The newer software is also available for the Modis, Solus, and other newfangled units. It's difficult (and expensive) to locate the VCI with MB software on eBay, and it's outrageously expensive to just buy the newest version from the Snap-On truck.

Note: If your 2004 V12's were basically the same as the 2003 model, then the 2003 software may work fine - just tell the scanner it's a 2003 model instead. If your 2004 had a totally new engine (or engine management system) compared to 2003, forget it. I don't know about about those years to say for sure.



At the risk of repeating myself ad nauseum, the Carsoft junk DOES NOT WORK with either LH or HFM injection, and your 1994 S600 has LH injection. At best, Carsoft will show you some analog blink codes, maybe. I do know the MT2500 setup will work pretty well on your 1994 S600 with LH injection, at least with the "legacy" 2003 software.

Your best bet is likely the Chinese SDS clones... rumor is that they work surprising well, and can be had for <$1k on eBay. These will work better than Carsoft for newer cars, and better than the MT2500 for older cars. I haven't yet bought one, but I'm planning on it eventually...


:chinese2:

Thanks for your input Dave.

I don't know of any difference mechanically, but I know the stereo/sound/navigation system is different, and sure if that effects any tests, and I like you am thinking I could list them as 2003's.


Don't really need one for my 2004's since they are still under factory warranty for the next 3 and 4 years respectively, but would be fun to play with and make them do the "rodeo" suspension trick.

More needing to help diagnose the 94 S600 Coupe issues.

I think I will look and see if I can find some good buys on an MT2500 and then get the MB accessories for it.

Yes, it has very limited Euro applications, but it would be super for your ford & toyota (and it's relatively inexpensive for what it can do).

Unfortunately, anything Euro is going to be expensive, and be very make specific if it's going to provide any real diagnostic info or control.

Remember, the Snap-On won't test everything... only most major systems. For the 94 S600, it should talk to: LH, BM, EZL, E-GAS, DM, and possibly SRS. It probably won't talk to the climate control system, even though it's supposed to. And it won't do anything for things like the convenience system, alarm system, PML, etc. Most of those are analog only and a plain blink code reader will suffice.



Buy the MT2500 brick & main cable ($100-$150), and 2003 "red" software cartridge (another $100-$150) on eBay. Buy the 38-pin cable and personality keys new from the Snap-On website... should be approximately $45 for the cable and $25 for each of the 4 necessary keys. The whole setup should be under $500. You don't need the ODB-II cable, or the single-pin cable. You will still need an LED blinker box to read analog codes from the other systems though. Check out this document, although it's geared towards the M119 versions, the only real difference is that the M120 version has twin EZL's and LH modules. Some assorted Snap-On info is located here.


:boat:

Bought a an MT2500 off ebay this morning for a decent price, but of course zero MB accessories, but it does have OBDII & GM-1 adaptors & MT25001401 Primary Asian Import (EOBD-II Thru 2001, Generic OBD-II Thru 2003), but they said it was actually a GM primary cartridge (guess I will find out when I get it) including shipped for $100. There are no manuals and they didn't know what version it was either, but seemed a decent price to at least give it a try.

I have 38 pin adapter from the Carsoft stuff I bought, will that connect to the Snap on?

If not I know I need the MB-1 for the 1994 Do I need the MB-2 for the 2004's (2003)?

Key's S-20, s-21, s-33 & s-34 correct? Do those also cover the 2003/4's?

Mercedes Primary Cartridge MT25001103


Does anyone (Dave?) know what this is for, and if I need it?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-Mercedes-Update-Primary-Snap-On-Scanner-MT2500_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3ca6c9ce63QQitemZ260496281187QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools#ht_1 066wt_941

Thx

Cool!



Nope, not even remotely similar.



No, the MB-2A is for the older 8- and 16-pin ports used on the 6-cyl W124 and W201. For the newer stuff (2004, etc) you need the DL-16 OBD-II European adapter. It is NOT the same as the generic OBD-II adapter you are getting with the kit... the Euro adapter uses different keys.



Those will work with the 1994 S600. For the newer cars, I think you need S-17 as well (for the DL-16 cable), but I'm not certain.



Those are EPROM chips. Plug them into a "red" cartridge with clear housing (like the Asian 2001 cartridge) and it will change it into the MB 2003 cartridge. These are bootleg copies, not original Snap-On chips, but the real McCoy is almost impossible to locate these days. The complete cartridge (like this one) is also not original, this seller just takes other/cheaper cartridges and pops in the MB bootleg chips to "make" the MB cartridge, then slaps a copy of the label on the front so it looks real. They work fine, but don't include the printed manuals you'd get with the genuine cartridge kit.

BTW, the scanner will tell you to use key S-20 to commincate with the W140 Basic Module (BM), this is a typo... you'll need S-34. There isn't much to play with in the BM anyway. The main good stuff is in the LH and E-GAS systems, which both work fine on the MT2500.


:stuart:

Yes, I found this out. Still not getting the scanner to communicate with the transmission. ASR light STILL illuminated.

I ordered the S-17 key as the scanner is asking for it, what exactly does this key allow the cartridge to scan?

The scanner asks for different keys based on the vehicle & system, it connects the scanner to differnt pins at the diagnostic port. On which car are you trying to communicate with the transmission? The 1994 S600 has no EGS module, only the five-speed auto trannies have electronic controls.

:zorro:

Yes, that is the one I was trying to communicate with, guess that explains why I can't. Is there a way to get into and pull codes for the ASR and Electronic accelerator/ cruise cntrl/ idle speed module?

For ASR, you need to build a hand-held LED blink code reader... the scanner doesn't support communication with the ASR module. This isn't a big deal, IMO, since there are only analog codes anyway, and I'm not sure what if any live data there is.

For the EA/CC/ISC (aka E-GAS module), the scanner will communicate with that with the appropriate key (either S-20 or S-21, I forget which), and it will display digital (3-digit) codes as well as live data. If you're not seeing the option on the menu of the scanner for this, don't forget to scroll the menu to see additional options...


:ninja: