CLK - Cheap Code Reader?

[Grotbag]

I have a 2005 CLK 200K. It is driving fine but the EML came on last week.
I know nothing about engines but wanted to buy a very cheap code reader to get an idea of what the problem may be or to just reset the system.
There are loads of cheap ones on Ebay but am not sure if they are compatible.
Advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[LostKiwi]

Any generic reader will give you the basic codes but won't give you MB specific ones.
The cheapest MB specific one is probably the iCarSoft i980 which will read most codes the car will generate including ABS, airbags etc.

 

[Grotbag]

Thanks LostKiwi but a little more than I want to pay. I have seen loads for under £30 but want to find someone who has used one on a CLK or similar engine setup.

 

[Grotbag]

The drives fine with no noticeable issues apart from the engine light being on. Is it urgent I take it to a garage?

 

[LostKiwi]

The drives fine with no noticeable issues apart from the engine light being on. Is it urgent I take it to a garage?

Without knowing the codes who can tell? You might be able to get some idea from a basic reader but results are variable and will depend on the nature of the fault as to what it will give you.
If you were to buy a reader from eBay then ask the seller if its compatible and if when you get it its not complain through eBay. If you pay through PayPal you're protected anyway.

 

[Droverunner]

As a fairly new member here with a new to us CLK of the past few weeks I bought the iCarSoft i980 which is the minimum I'd advise. The generic £30 code readers are so basic and rarely cover any of the other systems like ABS, ESC, aircon, airbags and electrical system which can be very useful. Also the iCarsoft has very useful live data readouts which can help pin down an engine issue.

Its cost is nothing besides two or three hours labour and gives you the power of at least roughly knowing where the repairer should be looking.

 

[Frosty149]

This question leads to further questions regarding the 'clone' star diagnostic stuff on the web, I'm not suggesting a recommendation or denigrating the products but, I would welcome any thoughts?

 

[LostKiwi]

This question leads to further questions regarding the 'clone' star diagnostic stuff on the web, I'm not suggesting a recommendation or denigrating the products but, I would welcome any thoughts?

Malcolm always rated the clones and had one himself. It seems to work just fine.

 

[ajlsl600]

same as that..LK i have one, clone of star that is, have to say first crashed after a month, supplier replaced it within 4 days, no issues since, i also purchased a spare pre loaded drive from him to change in case that happens again . cant remember exactly , think about 400 ukp.been thru all 3 cars with it , set up SL ride heights, took a while but all finished up ok, no faults after completion, probrably forgotten how i did that now. plenty time to catch up after march 18

 

[Droverunner]

I didn't mention the possibility of any laptop based stuff as the OP said he knew nothing about engines and in this case I thought the iCarsoft would be easier to use as it sounds like he won't be doing his own repairs anyway.

 

[LostKiwi]

same as that..LK i have one, clone of star that is, have to say first crashed after a month, supplier replaced it within 4 days, no issues since, i also purchased a spare pre loaded drive from him to change in case that happens again . cant remember exactly , think about 400 ukp.been thru all 3 cars with it , set up SL ride heights, took a while but all finished up ok, no faults after completion, probrably forgotten how i did that now. plenty time to catch up after march 18

I have Malcolms (he gave it me just before he passed away). Thats a good idea about the spare disks - I think I'll clone the drive onto another one as soon as I have a spare disk and the time to do it!

 

[ajlsl600]

let me know which programme you use for that eh .

 

[LostKiwi]

let me know which programme you use for that eh .

Macrium Reflect is what I've used in the past.

 

[ajlsl600]

will look, last i had i believe was maxblaster.. lost it during pc migration.cheers for info.

 

[Grotbag]

Over the weekend the EML went out by itself.
Is is possible that the fault corrected itself?

 

[LostKiwi]

Over the weekend the EML went out by itself.
Is is possible that the fault corrected itself?

Yes. If the car has three 'long' starts with no further issue the code gets marked as Stored as opposed to Current and the light goes out.

A long start is where the engine runs at operating temperature for a period of time/distance.