Software Control and management

[Bilko]

Okay - so I work in the IT industry, mostly on mainframe computer systems and I want to have a look into all this "Black Art" thats hidden in my car !

On the car side - I presume I'll need a connection socket "of some description" which will most likely plug into an RS232 port on my laptop. I've just sourced a 9 pin "D" connector pinout on the web but don't know if this is correct for my vehicle (04 Viano) or indeed where to find it on the car ?

Next - I expect that the system will be a CANbus ? I have worked on Avionic systems so I would think this is the case.
I presume I will then need an interface controlled. I'm not gonna pay silly money for this so does anyone know of one ? If not, and I can get enough info, I will build one.

If I manage to get that far and plug it in, I'll get a shed load of codes appearing on the screen - I presume there are standards for Automotive fault codes. Can anyone point me at anything ? - again I can use the web but you Chaps and Chapesses must know something. From what I see on this forum there is a wealth of expertise here.

Any pointers would be much appreciated

Thanks

Bilko

 

[jibcl500]

Bilko

Ive been down this route myself and pretty much had the same simplistic ideas as yourself and after much searching the net it became apparent that its not as easy as it looks.

You cant just plug a laptop into a Merc, check out carsoft on the net that will give you an idea of the equipment needed.

There are people selling carsoft multiplexors for about £100, they dont really work as the 38 pin connector only has 3 pins that connect to the car and there should be many more than that so alot of the cars systems cant be diagnosed.

The software available from ebay is all copied, there are instructions on how to install it which for a none IT person could be tricky.
The connection for your car I think is under the steering wheel somewhere, there should be a small flap to open first, I could be wrong though!!!! but someone will correct me if I am.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

jib

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Bilko

Ive been down this route myself and pretty much had the same simplistic ideas as yourself and after much searching the net it became apparent that its not as easy as it looks.

You cant just plug a laptop into a Merc, check out carsoft on the net that will give you an idea of the equipment needed.

There are people selling carsoft multiplexors for about £100, they dont really work as the 38 pin connector only has 3 pins that connect to the car and there should be many more than that so alot of the cars systems cant be diagnosed.

The software available from ebay is all copied, there are instructions on how to install it which for a none IT person could be tricky.
The connection for your car I think is under the steering wheel somewhere, there should be a small flap to open first, I could be wrong though!!!! but someone will correct me if I am.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

jib

Mercedes guard their 'intellectual rights' with great vigour. It is not in their best interests to make it easy for the 'layman'.

I am new to MB and will entrust my vehicle to the expertise of main dealers. I regard myself as extremely fortunate, in that my vehicles have always been 'top-end' in both cost and servicing. Having said that, I object most strongly to being 'ripped-off', and will shout and scream and kick and spit, if I feel that someone is taking the pith.!!! The price of a product/service, is always only as much as someone is prepared to pay.

I am also gainfully employed within the IT industry, and can vouch first-hand for the 'cheap' approach by some people/companies. It usually ends in tears :cry: AND ends up costing a lot more overall.

OK - I'm getting down off my soapbox, and going for a coffee..:razz:

 

[jibcl500]

Jez

SO I wont mention the MAF you just purchased off ebay then.............


jib

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Jez

SO I wont mention the MAF you just purchased off ebay then.............


jib

Touché..!!

I shall explain the rationalé for that, if I may. I am moving to Spain in January (permanently) and shall be driving my ML there for it to live a life in the warmth and sunshine . I heard SO many horror stories about MAF's on this Forum, that I thought it a Good Idea to carry one as a SPARE. That's all - a spare! When it arrives, I will give it a dose of damn good looking at, and if it ISN'T an original Bosch part, then I shall put it back on ebay, and get one that IS an original Bosch one. By the way, how can you tell a fake one from a genuine one?

 

[television]

. By the way, how can you tell a fake one from a genuine one?

The fake one will not work

 

[JEZ.S320L]

The fake one will not work

LOL

Are there any obvious clues such as markings that are on GENUINE one?

 

[Bilko]

Jez

SO I wont mention the MAF you just purchased off ebay then.............


jib

Forgive my ignorance - MAF ?

Thanks

Bilko

 

[television]

Forgive my ignorance - MAF ?

Thanks

Bilko

Mass air filter, this sits in your air intake and measures the air going in to the engine and sets up the engine for the ideal fuel air mixture ratio

 

[Bilko]

Ah, thankyou, I see - so it ensures correct stoichiometric mix for a given mass of air (takes into account temp). I have worked on similar things for Jet Engines where air density is a factor in ensuring an efficient burn.
A digression I know but good to understand all the same

Cheers

Bilko

 

[Bilko]

Well chaps - I have an enquiry with the supplier of this Bluetooth CAN bus interface below.
Its supposed to be able to drag in all OBDII sensor data. I hope to be able to hook my laptop to this (cable independant). I just wonder if RF in the engine bay will get in the way ???
I will still be faced with the problem of interpolating the stuff I get out, and as Jez mentioned above I dont think Mercedes will post their Intellectual Property Rights for all to see!

Still, I am hoping my Jet Engine stuff may come in useful on the combustibles side and hopefully I can source some code identifiers for the other sensor data. It might be a little naive of me to assume they will group them into "like" types to make it easier !

Will keep you all posted

Cheers

Bilko


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ELM3...6460573QQihZ009QQcategoryZ43989QQcmdZViewItem

 

[television]

Ah, thankyou, I see - so it ensures correct stoichiometric mix for a given mass of air (takes into account temp). I have worked on similar things for Jet Engines where air density is a factor in ensuring an efficient burn.
A digression I know but good to understand all the same

Cheers

Bilko

On the exhaust end we have the O2 sensor (s) that measure the quality of the exhaust gas, this is permanently active and adjust the engine ECU to allow a correct burn of the mixture.

When the MAF goes down, the O2 sensor will try and compensate by changing the mixture, this in turn puts the engine warning lamp on and can put the car in the limp home mode.

Doing a fault code read out will show that the O2 sensor has changed its setings, but the MAF will not show, so you have to use your head as to the actual fault

 

[jibcl500]

LOL

Are there any obvious clues such as markings that are on GENUINE one?

Ok this is for Jez and anyone else that needs to see the difference between a crap China made MAF and a genuine Bosch unit, pictures are of sensor only and not the MAF body, on the fake crap china ones there is no wording Bosch should be on the genuine item.

Pic one, the sensor on the right is gen bosch, the one on the right isnt.
Pic two Bosch, notice the green rubber seal.
Pic Three CRAP

jib

 

[JEZ.S320L]

Ok this is for Jez and anyone else that needs to see the difference between a crap China made MAF and a genuine Bosch unit, pictures are of sensor only and not the MAF body, on the fake crap china ones there is no wording Bosch should be on the genuine item.

Pic one, the sensor on the right is gen bosch, the one on the right isnt.
Pic two Bosch, notice the green rubber seal.
Pic Three CRAP

jib

Thanks SO much Jib, - I now know what to look out for.