OBD II Live Data
 

Hi, I have an older Actron basic OBD II code reader. Some of the newer code readers claim to read and display live diagnostic data during road testing, to test MAF and O2 sensors etc.

I am looking at the Equus Innova 3140 but I am unsure if it is usable for live data on 96 C280.

Any experiences with OBD II live data, or with this reader would be appreciated.

Thanks

OBDII data should be available, but crude.

ODB just reads engine data. It was mandatory for MB to do this on USA cars. On a typical 140 or 220, it cannot read the other 5 CAN busses' on the network. You won't see ARS, SRS etc - that's reserved for the "other" code readers.

I've seen off-brand code readers that claim to read MB CAN bus in the form of a laptop, a Linux kernel, Palm Pilot, even on on your wrist watch. The only one I've seen that invariably shows ALL and correct data is WIS. Subscription is [somebody help me with this] like $12k/yr per unit. A typical shop will have 30-40.

Sometimes you'll see the DVDs for WIS on Ebay or something, like someone from the shop made a copy. But they've got all sorts of tricks for copy protection and user-keys, which change all the time to keep out the riff-raff.

If I absolutely have to have WIS, like a motor change, iginition modules, computer modules, transmission diags etc - I'll just pay my $100 and be done with it. They always gladly print a detailed history, plus reset 0's

I thought OBDII was fully implemented by 1996 ??

I have the ScanGuage II http://www.scangauge.com/ It is a great product and works great on my 98. I believe they say it works on the 96 also. There are less expensive ones that hook onto a laptop. I wanted a stand along guage so this works for me. It does provide about 20 different live readings, as well as has a very nice and accurate trip computer.

Actually the C car had OBDII as early as 94 but 96 was the date for all to have. As it turns out, OBDII may have never been fully implemented on MBs. I haven't tried in a while but MB never has implemented Mode 6 reporting.

OBDII also only applies where there is something to look at. Much of the best info MB uses is not applicable and thus not reported on OBDII.

As to MB tools. WIS is not a tool, it is just an information system. It can be had online for much less than 12k a year, how about $3k. It is also available by the day for $18. The software that runs the MB scanner is called DAS and the cheapest form is contained in the MB BASIC2 which costs about $9700 incl sales tax and one year of monthly updates. The bigger version with no more diagnostic capability is called Compact3 and costs over $21k and includes WIS and has a yearly subscription of $7800, which is rather stupid as the DAS software is updated for a year in BASIC for $2000 and the online WIS which has considerably more than the PC based is only $3k a year.

As was stated OBDII only covers the engine and does that rather poorly.

I bought the OBD2 unit from these guys. You buy the adapter and download the software from the internet.

http://www.obddiagnostics.com/

You get all the DTC codes and a real-time read-out of sensor voltage and correction along with short- and long-term fuel trim, manifold pressure, etc. You can also clear codes, and get a "ready to test" reading. Not WIS but not bad for 75 bucks.

Obviously you need a notebook PC if you are going to use it while driving.

It has a kind of cool feature where you can record all the readings taken and play the session back.

It is not WIS, but WIS won't do any of that. WIS won't read codes and it won't give live data, because WIS is a information system not diagnostic software.

I have the Innova with CAN. I get no CAN data at all from my 96 SL600 and only basic standard ODBII support for everything else. Unfortunatly MB have more prepriatory stuff than standard stuff sot the tool is next to useless for MB.

OBDII was a government promoted attempt to standardize onboard emissions diagnostics.

It specified certain data and standardized generic codes and internal emissions related system testing. It also forced all manufacturers to communicate with one of a number of communications protocols: ISO, SAE, KWP2000, some other one and CAN. As of 2008 all vehicles must communicate diagnostically with CAN.

Many vehicles were ahead of the game including the 2003 211 chassis. The Diagnostic CAN is only one of four networks on that chassis: CAN B, CAN C, CAN D, and MOST.

An OBDII tool with CAN only means it gets the same crude data on cars that use CAN for diagnostics. It doesn't talk to CAN it talks through CAN and it doesn't do so until the car does so and the 211 chassis is the first MB to do so.

Before you buy a scanner, check to see if it has mode 06 capabilities. This will help idenity the compoment at falt ad if it is with in the factory range setting. I have a Snap-on Vantage pro and I have been getting informational videos and work books from AVI that have helped me understand how these new engine diagonastic systems work.

You can reach Team AVI at www.auto-video.com or 1-800 718-7246 ask for Marsha.

Best Regards
Bob Geco