The diagnostic scanner you posted a link to as well as a cheaper version are discussed in this thread: http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r170-slk-class/1270869-38-pin-carsoft-7-4-a.html. If you do an eBay search for "Mercedes Carsoft" you will find the cheaper one for 40 Pounds.

 

Hi bobterry99 while doing an extensive search on OBD II scanners on ebay I spotted this one that seems at least decent what do you think?

eBay Italia: ELM327 USB Pro OBD 2 CAN Diagnostic Code Reader ELM 327 (oggetto 150113948419 scade il 28-Apr-07 22:43:02 CEST)

Cheers.

 

For some bizarre reason, my 99 car has no OBDII interface. I've checked ALL over the car for it and it's not there, checked with my mechanic too and he told me it didn't have the OBDII port. .................after buying a scantool for it!! Still, it's useful on other cars!

 

Thanks for the link Bob, there is certainly plenty of info to digest!

 

Hi IRLCK I have your same car but it's a 2000 (LHD) and I saw the guys plugging an OBD II scanner near the brake pedal or so just under the steering column around the brake pedal I think.
Since I think it's compulsory for cars built after the 1996 all over the world to have an OBD II I think it's strange yours doesn't have one.

 

Hi people it's me again: surfing the web I found a link where you can download some OBD II programs and mostly for free and thought it might be useful for some of us.
Here is the link ScanTool.net - Software - Browse

Have fun

Cheers.

 

Hi bobterry99 while doing an extensive search on OBD II scanners on ebay I spotted this one that seems at least decent what do you think?

eBay Italia: ELM327 USB Pro OBD 2 CAN Diagnostic Code Reader ELM 327 (oggetto 150113948419 scade il 28-Apr-07 22:43:02 CEST)

That looks okay. But for about $130 you can have a carsoft scanner that will read codes from nearly all systems in your car and not just the drivetrain.

The carsoft scanner interfaces mentioned earlier in this thread come in two types: "multiplexed" and non-multiplexed (cheaper). Both units come with several cables to make connections to the different style of diagnostic sockets.

I recently bought the non-multiplexed unit. It can read codes from half the systems on my 1990 R129. On my '99 SL it communicates through the 38-pin connector -- not the OBDII connector -- and can read all systems except for one: the convertible top/roll bar controller (DOH!). My '03 SL500 and other newer Mercedes have only an OBDII connector and no 38-pin connector. The unit I have is unable to communicate with any of that car's systems through this connector.

The multiplexed unit supposedly can communicate through the OBDII connector on Mercedes manufactured through the spring of '04. I'll probably try one. In addition to that potential functionality that the cheaper unit does not have, the multiplexed unit offers a unique convenience. When reading codes from the 38-pin connector with the cheaper unit, you can only connect to one system at a time. This is because other than the power pins only one pin of the 38-pin male connector of the interface is wired.

After reading codes from one system with the cheaper unit you have to make a new connection to a different socket to read another system. In contrast the multiplexed unit is wired to all diagnostic pins and elimantes this incovenience. What is more, the software has a feature where you can have the unit scan for all systems and automatically read or erase codes from each one.

 

So far this looks promising although more than I was hoping to pay
eBay.co.uk: MERCEDES DIAGNOSTIC OBD 1+ 2 MULTIPLEXER/INTERFACE (item 250107416131 end time 02-May-07 15:57:31 BST)

I just agreed to purchase one of these so I can hopefully read codes on my '03. There are now 5 left. I suppose I'll have it in a week or two. If it works I'll be selling my other carsoft scan interface for about $100.

Update: the multiplexer unit communicates as hoped for.

 

I've got a MY 98, and there is an ODBII interface socket, under the steering wheel slightly to the right. It's under a small black cover. Works great with my ODBII scanner. I would suspect that the later models have it in the same spot.

 

Ok people it's me again on the matter.
Here is my porblem: after being 2000 % positive my 2000 Euro spec SL 320 V6 had an OBD II connector in the driver footwell somewhere, after being 2000 % positive recalling a mechanic plugging an OBD II scanner in pretty much the same place, after saying I was 2000 % positive there was one in the forum and after looking under the steering wheel and pulling open a small ovalish shaped cover and pushing my fingers there to find only ..... a hole I think I really need pictured help to find that socket because three people looked for that in my car this morning including me finding absolutely nothing and cussing at all the Mercedes people in the factory history.
Could someone please post clear pictures where to find the box, the cover and the plug ?
I'm really startign to think that euro spec cars don't have the OBD II thingy as IRLCK stated a few days ago....
Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

 

Please :surrender:

 

Just to get you started/confused? This is what I thought the connection was on later cars. Its under the bonnet/hood under the round cap.You can by an adapter on e-bay for around £15 to go from oblong to round plug. Please correct me if I am wrong. Also Read the thread posted by Bob Terry above

 

A 38 PIN diagnostic port is located under the hood (bonnet) on the rear passenger side of a right hand sterring car. And is located on the rear passenger side of the engine compartment of a left hand drive car.

An advanced diagnostic scanner like the 'MB STAR Diagnostic System (SDS)' can read any/all of the car's diagnostic trouble codes (DTC's) as well as resetting the R129 soft top control module and resetting a Driver Adaptive Auto Transmission like the 722.6xx, etc.

 

Thanks msbarsi, I really thought I was going mad. I've checked everywhere and there is no OBDII port inside the cabin, there is a small black cover where it **should** be, but it's just a blanking plate.

Wayne, are you saying that it's possible to use an ODBII scanner with this round interface by using an adapter? Or are they using completely different protocols?

Cheers,
Ciaran

 

You are asking the wrong person about protocols however If you read through the long thread Bob Terry posted the link to it explains Multiplexers and how they work.
There is an explanation and chart on how to use a non multiplexed scanner on this round socket ( on a SLK). If you have the one which I posted the link to you are sorted!
Again please anyone correct me if I am wrong

 

Dang so you only have the choice to use the Mercedes 38 pins connector on our cars .... I spotted the OBD II to 38 pins connectors on ebay too but I wanted to be sure there was no OBD II connection in our cars........
Pity because I wanted to monito live datas thru my pc but I guess it's not that wise to drive with your bonnet open and a flying cable cominf from it to the pc ehehe.

Thanks to everyone.

Cheers.

 

Pity because I wanted to monito live datas thru my pc...

You do have live data through the 38-pin diagnostic connector if you have one of those Carsoft interfaces described earlier in the thread.

Wayne, are you saying that it's possible to use an ODBII scanner with this round interface by using an adapter? Or are they using completely different protocols?

I think Wayne is referring to a "breakout" adapter that allows large banana plugs to connect to the small pins of the 38-pin connector. This would be helpful to have when making connections with a Carsoft interface that is non-multiplexed.

An OBDII scanner will only work with an OBDII connector. Also, it will only give data related to the drivetrain and emissions -- not nearly as useful as the Carsoft interfaces which do much more for about the same cost.

 

Bob I know I can get live datas but what I meant is that being the plug in the hood I couldn't have live data while on the move. Not wise to have the hood open while you are driving ......

Cheers.

 

You can make connections to the 38-pin and easily close the hood...

 

Hmm that's a very good news: I thought that closing the hood would cause to cut the cable or it wouldn't close at all.
Of course if they put an OBD II interface inside the car would have been easy but life isn't I guess eheheh.

Many thanks Bobterry99. Once again you are the man.

Cheers.

 

ok..........im going to purchase a multiplexed version soon to take advantage of the high aussie dollar (for my yet to be purchased car - m113 version).............just wondering if wayneg you went through with a purchase of one?........also bobterry is yours still working fine saw a few of your posts in the slk thread which were all positive...........

 

bobterry is yours still working fine...

Yes. If getting one for am R129 remember that it won't read codes for the top controller.

 

No, I didn`t get around to it yet but I suppose I will be getting one before the next service is due. I am also looking to Buy a Range Rover to replace the one I sold in the UK so want something that is truly universal. Keep us updated with your purchase or views, you could always pop round to plug it into mine!, Coogee.

 

further to my post above - have asked and got a response in the r170 thread linked earlier.........answer is no it wont work........however a later version of carsoft may soon be released so i will wait for that to get to the roof diagnostics......

 

Hi everyone, I am looking to buy a Diagnostic scanner.I am a little bit confused. I have read all the threads and I think that the only one that will work for my 1998 sl500 will be the carsoft 7.6.I want to be able to read and reset all the trouble codes in my car including the top codes. I believe the 7.4 will not reset the top codes. As I read further I saw someone mention a carsoft 8.0 version.Which one is better? If I am gonna buy one I want to buy one that will work on other cars as well as the Mercedes.Maybe the 7.6 is good enough but I don't know the difference between the two can anyone help? Also could someone tell me where my 38 pin diagnostic port is ? Is it under the hood passenger side near firewall or behind the passenger seat under the floor partition or on the drivers side near the right foot??? I read so many I am confused as too which is the correct one.Are some of these used for other things?If so then for what?I have one more question, with the carsoft whichever one say the 7.6 version do you just connect it to the 38 pin port and then what. I have never used one of these before but it looks like a worth while investment if your gonna own one of these cars.Thanks for all the help and sorry for all the questions,Torchtamer57

 

I would recommend you read the recent 'Best bang for buck code reader' topic.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/1381785-what-best-code-reader-bang-buck.html

Many members comment on the various DCR's on the market. The consensus seems to be with the Chinese Star Diag clone.