Carsoft V7.4 from ebay

[C200 goblin]

I recently purchased one of the carsoft things on ebay which came from the States. It was around 90 pounds.
I connected it to the car via the 38 pin connector lead, the interface unit, then the lead from the unit to laptop (9 pin connector serial). Connected to a S reg C200 auto.

I connected this to the car, although I am gettin error messages as though it is not gaining data or the lead is not connected properly. But it is.
THe interface even powers up when it is connected to the car ECU by displaying the red and orange lights on it.
When I do any of the tests on it from on the laptop, it makes the red light on the interface flash, then I may get the error code.
Has anyone got this know what to do to get it running properly.
TIA

 

[Ultymate]

I presume you got the software to go with it and loaded it on your laptop:?:

 

[television]

This is a common problem on Ebay diagnosis items, Most of the makers of these things warn you that if you buy fron another country or Ebay there is no back up or subscription service available.

Malcolm

 

[David in OZ]

I recently purchased one of the carsoft things on ebay which came from the States. It was around 90 pounds.
I connected it to the car via the 38 pin connector lead, the interface unit, then the lead from the unit to laptop (9 pin connector serial). Connected to a S reg C200 auto.

I connected this to the car, although I am gettin error messages as though it is not gaining data or the lead is not connected properly. But it is.
THe interface even powers up when it is connected to the car ECU by displaying the red and orange lights on it.
When I do any of the tests on it from on the laptop, it makes the red light on the interface flash, then I may get the error code.
Has anyone got this know what to do to get it running properly.
TIA

These units are usually supplied with only pin #4 and the power supply pins connected.........only the ME & FFZ / FBS Digital-Tests will give a result...............you should also get Live Data for ME under Special Functions

These units are not CAN-BUS compatible.......

If you get it working, then other systems are available.....but you will need a breakout box or Multiplexer Selector

Cheers

David

 

[C200 goblin]

The software came with it and I installed it on the laptop. Is the multiplexer the MB Diagnostic Interface that comes with it?

 

[David in OZ]

I am assuming at 90 Pounds that you have the 'plain' Interface.....box about 12cm X 7cm X 3cm

There is a Multiplexer Unit which automatically selects which plug to connect too for each test......much larger box.....significantly more expensive

Posting a pic of your unit may help if it isn't the above dimensions..............

 

[eric242340]

carsoft

With a 16 pin connector there is one K line and one L line so a simple interface, if configured correctly (may) work. However with the 38 pin each test requires a different line ie the engine is pin 4. so for this you must have a multiplexer. This little box of goodies will set you back a wee bit more than 90 pounds.

 

[Ultymate]

There are so called "multiplexers" being advertised for £200 is that still too cheap ?

 

[eric242340]

Carsoft

There are so called "multiplexers" being advertised for £200 is that still too cheap ?

Its not so much the price you pay for a multiplexer, its more a question of would it work with the carsoft system?

 

[Ultymate]

Understood Eric many thanks

 

[C200 goblin]

Yes the interface is of the size you have described. So I guess I would now have to buy the multiplexer then, damn it! And to think I was so excited when I got this thing, it was like a new toy.

I am assuming at 90 Pounds that you have the 'plain' Interface.....box about 12cm X 7cm X 3cm

There is a Multiplexer Unit which automatically selects which plug to connect too for each test......much larger box.....significantly more expensive

Posting a pic of your unit may help if it isn't the above dimensions..............

 

[David in OZ]

Yes the interface is of the size you have described. So I guess I would now have to buy the multiplexer then, damn it! And to think I was so excited when I got this thing, it was like a new toy.

The 'plain' interface is still functional for doing one test at a time on pre CAN-BUS MB's......to test other systems you can buy a breakout box ~$US59 or Multiplexer Selector for ~$US99

Have you managed to get it to read using the ME Digital Test........

 

[David in OZ]

38pin breakout box

 

[David in OZ]

Multiplexer Selector 38pin plug

 

[eric242340]

Carsoft

38pin breakout box

Yes ive used these before and they are quite effective, but you can only check one component at a time and of course would it work with the carsoft system?

 

[C200 goblin]

This car soft thing was a waste of time, Id say £90 gone down the pan. Bought it some years ago now, never used it again

 

[clubleya]

I got a carsoft unit from ebay and works fine with most systems, have cleared srs and repaired eps faults with it as well as checking many other systems

 

[AMck]

I picked up a 2nd hand genuine Carsoft unit from fleabay just after I bought my SL a couple of years ago for about £55. This works well for basic code reading and clearing. Also can reset adaptive values for engine a gearbox, together with some live data from the engine and gearbox.

This has certainly been helpful, but STAR is the daddy - just wish I could justify buying one.

 

[C200 goblin]

The Carsoft thing I bought was a pile of poop, still gathering dust. I wonder if I could flog it on ebay for £20