Location: West Bloomfield, Michigan (just north of Detroit)
Posts: 96
OBD II Code Reader on Sale at Harbor Freight
I just went to my favorit store (besides Costco) Harbor Frieght in Pontiac, Michigan.
They have the Cen Tech (brand) OBD (on board diagnostics) code reader on sale till September 24. Item # 94168. This code reader works with most cars and light trucks made in the U.S. since 1996. I assume it will work on MB.
Regular price is 49.99 Sales price $29.99.
I just looked at the plug, it appears that it will fit in the socket in my 1998 e-320
The plug in port on my car is inside, by the drivers side, next to the park brake by the hood release. There is a 38 pin round plug- in under my hood (in the fuse box), but I believe this is an old school application (for the stealership diagnostic)
I look at the metal pins on the Harbor Frieght reader compared to those in the car. They appear to match.
Greg and Olord and all... is this the right code reader to buy??????
I understand that the only time one would need this unit is when the "service engine soon" sign comes on. Then one can get the problem code, and define the exact problem with the help of this blog... (no guessing and replacing unecessary parts).
So why go to the stearlership for an expensive diagnosis when you can do it in the comfort of your own garage.
Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices
It is $36 on the Internet.
I would spend more for one that will allow also codes scrolling and selective erasing. I bought one at Autozone for $80 a year ago. Now for this price you can buy one with battery backup, that will let you memorize codes and read them later.
is the one I prefer
94169-3VGA
OBD II CODE READER WITH CAN
it is a few dollars more and has a few more features,scans and erases also displays I/M readiness status which shows cats ,o2 sensor,etc. for smog testing checks.If you see that they are not in a ready state,youn dont go to get a smog test for licencing until you have run the drive cycle settings.
ohlord
"GOT CODES?"
I/M readiness status is essential, as Ohlord says. Don't get a reader without it.
CAN isn't essential for your car, but you need CAN for all 2008 and many previous cars.
The 38-pin connector is not for "old school" equipment. The feds mandate the OBD-II connector under the dash, but M-B uses the 38-pin for their diagnostic computer. There is much more information available at the M-B port, and it is needed to version code components. You probably don't want to get the M-B Star Diagnostic system though. It's somewhat pricey.
hey guys, i have PDA running Windows PPC opsys. what do you think of this
gadget....provided it performs as advertised? does it have all those features
and abilities as the dedicated devices?
That appears to do anything that any OBD-II scanner will do. Since you're supplying part of the hardware, it should be cheaper. The software should also be easy to update, if the manufacturer sticks around.
It will not do all that SDS does. No OBD-II scanner can.
you can go to auto zone for free,I like to have my reader handy,have even helped out people at a rest stop when they were standing there with that look of what do we do now?
Ray did you buy that unit?It does do more than an obd2 reader it displays real time voltage and resistance values.
I like the system from AutoTap - OBDII Diagnostic Scanner at about 175 bucks it is a laptop based real time data gatherer.Almost like a shop computer.It is easier to read than the pda one and far more info gathered.
ohlord
"GOT A CODE READER?"
Plus if you surf all of their site you can gain invaluable info on diagnostics,and if you get on their email list they really send out cool pointers and tips,very useful site.
The AutoTap claims to diagnose MAF and other sensors.
To my knowledge those sensors are undiagnosable, unless you might have special windtunel and gauges to match.
Is this a sale pitch, or something I don't know?
OBD II Code Reader on Sale at Harbor Freight 
Greg and Olord and all... is this the right code reader to buy??????
So why go to the stearlership for an expensive diagnosis when you can do it in the comfort of your own garage.
Linear Mode
