Cheap scanners - are they any good?

[Ken_R]

£10.99 with free delivery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Engin...id=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=161972038611


The EML on my car has been showing for about two weeks now, although the car is running fine.

I have an acquaintance who works in a Garage who has access to a generic laptop based scanner who I can go to during his breaks but, I'd rather not abuse that route for minor fixes. In fact, I had the same happen about this time last year and it was put down to 'carp fuel'. It was cleared but came back on the next day or so. After 5 re-starts, it cleared itself.

This one hasn't cleared.

So, are these any good? I certainly don't want to get up into the iCarsoft price ranges as, for anything of that level of defect, I'd not be repairing it myself.

Suggestions please?

 

[LostKiwi]

A cheap generic scanner will only clear generic engine faults but will give none of the MB specific codes or codes relating to other modules.
For that you need something like an iCarsoft

 

[andynpz]

A cheap generic scanner will only clear generic engine faults but will give none of the MB specific codes or codes relating to other modules.
For that you need something like an iCarsoft

Not necessarily true. I have a generic scanner which recognises all major car makes and gives me the code and the plain English description of the fault. The code can be cleared if it was transitory and the EML goes out. It was £19.99 off eBay a couple of years ago but I'm in my pyjamas and the code reader is in the garage, so I'll look out the name tomorrow morning. NB Only engine faults.

PS the link in the OP post will probably do the trick - as long as it has the reset function.

 

[LostKiwi]

Not necessarily true. I have a generic scanner which recognises all major car makes and gives me the code and the plain English description of the fault. The code can be cleared if it was transitory and the EML goes out. It was £19.99 off eBay a couple of years ago but I'm in my pyjamas and the code reader is in the garage, so I'll look out the name tomorrow morning. NB Only engine faults.

PS the link in the OP post will probably do the trick - as long as it has the reset function.

Thats exactly what I said. Engine only codes and no MB specific codes.

Sometimes with engine codes there are subcodes and a generic reader won't get them either. Also in some circumstances (and on some cars and Smart are a great example for this) the generic code given does not point at the real fault as the model specific text string is different.

A generic code reader will usually clear an EML.

 

[om613]

£10.99 with free delivery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Engin...id=100005&rk=4&rkt=6&mehot=pp&sd=161972038611


The EML on my car has been showing for about two weeks now, although the car is running fine.

I have an acquaintance who works in a Garage who has access to a generic laptop based scanner who I can go to during his breaks but, I'd rather not abuse that route for minor fixes. In fact, I had the same happen about this time last year and it was put down to 'carp fuel'. It was cleared but came back on the next day or so. After 5 re-starts, it cleared itself.

This one hasn't cleared.

So, are these any good? I certainly don't want to get up into the iCarsoft price ranges as, for anything of that level of defect, I'd not be repairing it myself.

Suggestions please?

Get an iCarsoft, it'll cost you 2 or 3 STAR sessions AND be more convenient.

No reason why you can't DIY on its results, more accuracy?

 

[hutchst]

Looking at the iCarsoft i980 I don't see the W205 listed. Has anybody used it on this car C220d and does it carry out the same functions?

 

[LostKiwi]

Looking at the iCarsoft i980 I don't see the W205 listed. Has anybody used it on this car C220d and does it carry out the same functions?

Contact iCarsoft and check. If its not in the menus on the i980 it won't work.

 

[Ken_R]

so I'll look out the name tomorrow morning. NB Only engine faults.

I'd be grateful if you could. It sounds like what I am looking for.

 

[bob 6600]

Looking at the iCarsoft i980 I don't see the W205 listed. Has anybody used it on this car C220d and does it carry out the same functions?

If the car is under warranty, I would let MB deal with it

 

[andynpz]

I'd be grateful if you could. It sounds like what I am looking for.

Apologies - it's hardly morning! Here is a link to the exact model. I don't usually buy from China so I reckon someone imports them - just a longer search required on ebay which I'll do now. OK found it now in UK - numerous sellers at £16.99

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/D900-Univ...699147?hash=item33ae3f0a8b:g:WvsAAOSws4JW8Ujz

 

[Ken_R]

OK found it now in UK - numerous sellers at £16.99

Thanks for taking the trouble. I really appreciate it. I've stored it in my Watch list for when I've got my 'sensible head' on.:roll:

 

[flowrider]

Useful link below.

http://www.mercedesmedic.com/best-obd-2-can-scanners-for-car-diagnostics/

 

[Botus]

what phone do you have ?

if its a modern smart phone spend 15 quid on a BT dongle and get this

https://torque-bhp.com/ will be light years better than a cheap basic scanner

 

[Ken_R]

Thanks all. I don't have a smart phone but the missus does. However, as we're both on PAYG the 'dongle' route isn't really an option.

As mentioned, I know someone with a professional scanner so for the sake of perhaps a 'tenner' when needed, the iCarsoft isn't really justified, particularly as they will probably get any work that needs to be done.

The MaxiScan MS309 has good reviews on Amazon and I've looked at a couple of Youtube videos, and it seems to do what I need.

I've therefore ordered one from the link above. I'll see how it goes.

 

[LostKiwi]

PAYG makes no odds for Torque app. You don't need any similar card at all once the apps installed. Connection to the dangle is Bluetooth and adapters are about a tenner.

 

[Ken_R]

PAYG makes no odds for Torque app. You don't need any similar card at all once the apps installed. Connection to the dangle is Bluetooth and adapters are about a tenner.

It is English. But not as I know it!

I'm in a Technological Wilderness.:cry: I'm of generation where we built our own Crystal Sets and listened to the radio via an aerial from the bedroom window which was thrown into a nearby tree. When 'Electronics' came along, I got quite into that. Building circuit boards and whatever. Particularly with the NE555 timer and the 3055 power transistor. I can still remember some of the pin-outs to the former, as to whether it was to run in astable or mono-stable mode.

And then came Computers. And I learnt about .BAT files, and .COM files and then writing .EXE files in Power Basic and then Visual Basic. Then along came Forums. And being an Admin on a particular site, meant that I learnt about HTML and how it could be enabled in the PHP format to enhance the visual effect of posts.

And then PHP3 appeared, which didn't support HTML in a direct form. Each HTML function had to be re-defined within the Admin area and given a unique moniker.

To me. A mobile phone is something I carry should I ever need it. Beyond that, I haven't got a clue.

However, I'm not averse to being educated.

 

[Ken_R]

Just an update on the Scanner. The cheapo £9.98 arrived to day. Worked fine. I can't remember the code but it said something like "Rich Mixture Bank 1".

I've cleared the code, gone out in the car, and all is fine.