Workshop Manuals & Diagnostic Equipment.

[Guy Greenwell]

Hi.
Have any members had any experience of the workshop manuals available on CD and DVD format sold on Ebay.
Comments and advice would also be appreciated from anyone with experience of the diagnostic equipment also available from this source.
My car is a C250 Turbodiesel which I am very happy with, I carry out all my own servicing and repairs and have done so for the last 45 years, but feel that I need to know more of the electronic side of this car.
Many thanks
Guy Greenwell.
Humble apologies here, I have just noticed some previous comments on manuals although, none on computer diagnostics.

 

[pascal]

Expensive.

Guy

The computer diagnosis modules and associated software, can be found on some US sites. It is very expensive though. Some are standalone & other connect up to your Laptop.
I came accross some a week or so ago, and I'll have a look in my history file and get back in 10 minutes.
Pascal

Edit: Here's one of the expensive (professional) varieties
http://www.allstates.com/mercedes_scanner.htm

The other links site was in the Uk and its down at the moment. They just supplied interfaces and software, a lot cheaper, but you you'd want to do your homework on this one.

Pascal

 

[twomercs]

CD's

I would also be interested on comments on these CD's - also does anyone know if they will work on Apple Macs

 

[E320CDI]

Hi.
Have any members had any experience of the workshop manuals available on CD and DVD format sold on Ebay.
Comments and advice would also be appreciated from anyone with experience of the diagnostic equipment also available from this source.
My car is a C250 Turbodiesel which I am very happy with, I carry out all my own servicing and repairs and have done so for the last 45 years, but feel that I need to know more of the electronic side of this car.
Many thanks
Guy Greenwell.
Humble apologies here, I have just noticed some previous comments on manuals although, none on computer diagnostics.

I bought a set of 5 cds of Ebay and I have not been able to download them onto my computer, my computer consultant assures me that they can be downloaded, but it is very complicated involving partitioning the hard drive, the installation of a Loopback adapter, etc, etc..Five A4 pages of instructions.
As far as diagnostics are concerned the proper equipment would cost the price of a small car and even then one would have to subscribe hundreds of pounds a year to keep the software up to date. Also somethings MB keep back for their exclusive use.
I am currently having problems with the Climate Control a local non-frachised garage which prides itself on having all the latest gear cannot get into it so it looks like I wll have to bite the bullet and go to a main MB dealership. Change the oil yourself (when the engine is hot) some garages put a sucker down the dipstick hole (cold engine) which does not drain all the old oil. Don't disconnect the battery unless you really have to it sends the onboard computer wild.
john.gittins@btinternet.com

 

[E320CDI]

Diagnostics

Hi.
Have any members had any experience of the workshop manuals available on CD and DVD format sold on Ebay.
Comments and advice would also be appreciated from anyone with experience of the diagnostic equipment also available from this source.
My car is a C250 Turbodiesel which I am very happy with, I carry out all my own servicing and repairs and have done so for the last 45 years, but feel that I need to know more of the electronic side of this car.
Many thanks
Guy Greenwell.
Humble apologies here, I have just noticed some previous comments on manuals although, none on computer diagnostics.

I bought a set of 5 cds of Ebay and I have not been able to download them onto my computer, my computer consultant assures me that they can be downloaded, but it is very complicated involving partitioning the hard drive, the installation of a Loopback adapter, etc, etc..Five A4 pages of instructions.
As far as diagnostics are concerned the proper equipment would cost the price of a small car and even then one would have to subscribe hundreds of pounds a year to keep the software up to date. Also somethings MB keep back for their exclusive use.
I am currently having problems with the Climate Control a local non-frachised garage which prides itself on having all the latest gear cannot get into it so it looks like I wll have to bite the bullet and go to a main MB dealership. Change the oil yourself (when the engine is hot) some garages put a sucker down the dipstick hole (cold engine) which does not drain all the old oil. Don't disconnect the battery unless you really have to it sends the onboard computer wild.
john.gittins@btinternet.com

 

[Guy Greenwell]

workshop manuals

Many thanks for you replies, I will let you know how i get on.
Guy

 

[pascal]

The DVD seem to be much easier to install according to a few members who had both. I'm pretty sure you need 2 CD drives to install the CD set.

Regards the diagnotic scanners, there's a lot of cheaper options on US sites. The one I gave you the link to would be the kind a MB specialist, or very keen (and rich) amateur would use.

 

[philharve]

Hi Guy

I've just purchased the latest 2005 Mercedes Workshop Information System from eBay. This is the 2 DVD version and cost me £20 + £3 delivery. I'm waiting to receive it but when I do I'll post a review. I already possess CD versions of the WIS. And 'yes' installing the CD version does present a problem because it requires two CD drives. There is a software workaround that supposedly reduces the number of drives from 2 to 1. I've not tested it myself but I am told it works. You'll have to search for the thread that contains details of the little utility.

I also faced a dilemma about which Fault Code Reader to purchase and I searched the Internet and stumbled upon a company call AutoEnginuity.

See http://www.autoenginuity.com/index.html

They are primarily a software house and write applications for the automobile industry. They write for Windows, Pocket PC and Palm devices. I was particularly attracted to the application for the Pocket PC (for iPAQ users), so much so I bought one. The application is far more sophisticated than just a Fault Code Reader and is, in effect, a complete auto-diagnostic system rivalling professional test equipment. I chose the iPAQ version because it fits conveniently in the pocket.

What do you get? Well, you get the application on CD, a brief installation guide and the OBD II interface unit which is about 5" x 1.5" x 0.5". The interface unit plugs into the OBD socket in the car and it connects to the iPAQ via a serial lead. If you have a lot of money to spend you can buy the Bluetooth OBD II interface unit. This will give you a wireless connection. Very clever stuff but it will cost. The Bluetooth option is US$130 (£80) and must be ordered with the interface.

The Windows version of AutoEnginuity runs on a full size laptop or desktop.

The application and interface cost me about £150, delivered, and I get free updates which I can download at my leisure. I purchased it on eBay from Mesa, Arizona, and avoided the Dollar-Pound conversion which almost inevitably double the cost.

Other members have elsewhere indicated that OBD equipment can be very expensive, costing hundreds through thousands of pounds. That's quite true, but if you have a PC or PDA to run the applicationon, you're onto a winner.

I'm very please with my latest toy but I've discovered it has more functionality than I will ever use. Upgradability means it's future-proofed. Oh yes, I forgot, it will work on cars other than Mercedes.

REGARDS Phil

 

[philharve]

AutoEnginuity OBD2 Scan Tool/Dyno with CAN (Pocket PC)

Hi All

This is what my equipment looks like. All the power and sophistication of a laptop system but fits easily in the pocket.

REGARDS Phil

 

[philharve]

CD manuals

Hi twomercs

The CD and DVD manuals I've purchased on eBay are designed to install and run on PCs.

HOWEVER, the manuals are not large, single files ... they actually contain many folders with a great many files inside them and cater for different languages. Many of the file types are readible on Apple Macintoshes which is one of this operating systems strengths. So you can use a Mac to access certain types of file but you won't be able to use the manuals as they were designed to be used.

I imagine many people who make this inquiry wonder whether these manuals are designed with files in a universal format such as .pdf, .gif, .html, etc. Sorry, but they are not. They are interactive applications and designed only for the Windows operating system.

HOWEVER, it used to be possible to purchase a Windows emulator for the Mac. An emulator-equipped Mac can run Windows applications but they tend to run slower than on their native platform UNLESS you own a highend, superfast Mac.

I dont know if a CD/DVD manual would install on an emulator-equipped Mac but having owned Macs since 1985 I tend to think it would work. But why go to the trouble? Pick up a secondhand PC instead and install the manual on it. It'll be less trouble.

The latest DVD manuals (2 x DVDs + Key Disc) have a theoretical capacity around 6 times greater than their CD counterparts (usually 5 CDs). That's a lot of information, far in excess of what a Haynes-type manual could provide. The DVD/CD manuals contain movie clips and provide large lists of links to Internet sites: they are designed to be used online.

REGARDS Phil

 

[beamanautos]

hi, i recieved a 3 disk set. (mis) dealership software. hard to load, but eventually got it working. notmuch help in fixing the cars.
good for finding part numbers and stuff.

if any body needs one of these, let me know. uk]
also can some one help me, tell me how to get the codes from my 99 E300 td
thankyou all.
will let you know about the fun i had rebuilding my engine next week.