Good OBD II code reader for 2001 Mercedes?

[McLovin]

I have to finally break down and get into the 21st century.

I've managed to avoid it up to now, doing all DIY on all my cars (including a 2002 Mercedes and a 2008 BMW), but that's mainly been because of some luck. I have everything I need to work on my 80s DME injected cars, and my OBD era cars have not needed anything except regular maintenance.

But now I have a no start and stalling issue on the Mercedes, with the check engine light coming on, so I need to figure out how to access the codes.

Is something like this ok?

Mercedes Benz PC USB OBD2 OBDII OBD 2 Scanner Interface Code Reader | eBay

Or something from Pep Boys like this?

Actron Pocket Scan Plus CAN Diagnostic Code Reader For OBD II Vehicles | Product Details | Pep Boys

[Porsche-O-Phile]

I use one (Innova I think) from either Pep Boys or Autozone (don't recall which offhand - bought a couple of hears ago) with my '01 SLK. Works fine. I've been able to clear a couple of nuisance codes and do diagnostics (had a secondary air valve seize up and was able to identify and replace it right away). There's really nothing mystical about them. All manufacturers use one of a handful of standardized protocols anyway.

My ideal situation would be to pitch my '01 when it finally dies (hopefully many years ftom now) and never buy a post-1996 vehicle ever again (I plan on doing exactly this) just to get around all the stupid nanny-state emissions BS related to mandatory OBD-2 data dumps. There's simply way too much of this stuff going onto cars now, it's way too expensive when it breaks and one little hiccup will throw the OBD-2 computers into a tizzy and potentially leave you with a car that won't pass inspection. I've been mostly lucky but it's just not worth the headaches. Also consider that newer vehicles have hidden data-logging built into the computers that's intended to provide your insurance company and law enforcement types with evidence they can use to screw you over in the event of an accident (I believe there have been cases where this has been subpoenaed). I'm not advocating driving crazy or breaking the law, but why hand an "easy one" to people who just want to rape you for every penny they can?

Sorry for the tangent...

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just looked - this is the one I have. You may not need one with quite so many bells and whistles but I like the versatility:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001QIUGVI

[EMJ]

I've got the scanner below. Incredible little device that allows you to clear the codes. Cheap ($19.99). Highly rated on Amazon.


Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by EMJ

I've got the scanner below. Incredible little device that allows you to clear the codes. Cheap ($19.99). Highly rated on Amazon.


Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive

PoP, that one looks nice, but looks like more than I need.

Got the one above, we'll see how it goes. From the reviews, it seems like it does what I need it to do!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by McLovin

PoP, that one looks nice, but looks like more than I need.

Got the one above, we'll see how it goes. From the reviews, it seems like it does what I need it to do!

I have that one too. It is a great bang for the buck.

I also have an older Innova but it did not work on my 08 Mazdaspeed3. There is a change in the OBD in recent models. I read up on it at the time. Definitely get a new OBD reader.

G

[RANDY P]

Any generic OBDII code reader will work for basic emissions diagnosis, get one that's on sale somewhere. Assuming that code is Emissions related any will work.

If you want one that reads Mercedes- specific (body and transmission) codes that's a whole different animal. That's $$$.

If all else fails and the hard start and stalls keep happening but no new codes, check the MAF- MAF codes don't show a lot of times. 80K intervals sounds about right for screwball behavior.

rjp

[McLovin]

Just got the $20 Amazon reader, plugged it in, works great. It's showing a bad crank position sensor, which I kind of suspected.

$40 for that part, but the reader is also saying both oxygen sensors are bad. Those are a little more. I guess at 83000 miles ox sensors can go bad. Maybe it will help improve my mileage, which seems low to me.

[McLovin]

Also, I know these basic ones don't read all manufacturer specific codes, but it reads way more than I thought. There's pages and pages of codes.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Just got the $20 Amazon reader, plugged it in, works great. It's showing a bad crank position sensor, which I kind of suspected.

$40 for that part, but the reader is also saying both oxygen sensors are bad. Those are a little more. I guess at 83000 miles ox sensors can go bad. Maybe it will help improve my mileage, which seems low to me.

reset everything, and drive again. If the code is consistent then it's a problem.

Mercedes Benz is the auto equivalent of a hypochondriac. Seriously, never trust the 1st time a code throws with these cars.

rjp

[RANDY P]

PS I typically replace just the upstream O2, and let the downstream one run until it throws a code...

rjp

[McLovin]

The car has died on the road twice in the past week! That's what prompted the reader purchase.

[EMJ]

The car has died on the road twice in the past week! That's what prompted the reader purchase.

The CPS replacement should fix the problem. My '01 CLK 430 was leaving me stuck around town. Replaced CPS - problem solved.

[bell]

If its an 02 out of range code there is probably a vacuum leak somewhere......
Look at the adaption numbers to confirm, ideally use a smoke machine to find the leak but those aren't really availableor cheap, you can try spraying brake cleaner around to see if the idle changes.....” Sometimes” that'll reveal it.....

[Hydrocket]

Get the TorquePro app for your cell phone and a bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 adapter. Best set-up I've ever used..and I've had a few. Realtime datalogging of EVERYTHING the OBD can monitor. It's incredible. And fully customizable.

torque pro android app with plugin's - YouTube

[slow&rusty]

Why not just buy the STAR DAS, you can them quite inexpensively? And come with the WIS and EPC applications as well. I bought one for my E55 and it has been a life saver.
Yasin

[StevoRocket]

I have this from Amazon in the UK at about 12 quid.

Amazon.com: Autel MaxiScan MS300 CAN Diagnostic Scan Tool for OBDII Vehicles: Automotive

[TimT]

Get the TorquePro app for your cell phone and a bluetooth ELM327 OBD2 adapter. Best set-up I've ever used..and I've had a few. Realtime datalogging of EVERYTHING the OBD can monitor. It's incredible. And fully customizable.

+1 I have this set up also.. The basic Torque app is free, and is able to scan read, and clear codes, and the ELM bluetooh adapter is about $20 on ebay.

There are a number of available plugins for the Torque app, an interesting one s a track mapping plugin...


https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.prowl.recorder

[EarlyPorsche]

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Why not just buy the STAR DAS, you can them quite inexpensively? And come with the WIS and EPC applications as well. I bought one for my E55 and it has been a life saver.
Yasin

Yasin, where did you find a star reader for not crazy $$$$ (I'm just guessing you didn't buy it through mbusa)? Do those multiplexer things on ebay work?

[speeder]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Just got the $20 Amazon reader, plugged it in, works great. It's showing a bad crank position sensor, which I kind of suspected.

$40 for that part, but the reader is also saying both oxygen sensors are bad. Those are a little more. I guess at 83000 miles ox sensors can go bad. Maybe it will help improve my mileage, which seems low to me.

As you probably already know, only the "upstream" cats really matter for mixture. The downstream ones only monitor the cat(s) performance.

The CPS is almost certainly the cutting out problem. Are you in L.A.? If you want to bring it by my friend's MB specific shop in Hollywood sometime, he'll plug it into the laptop w/o charging you an arm and a leg. Just let me know.