Thanks for sharing this. I've been thinking about taking the plunge....but no real idea as to which one to get.

 

I couldn't agree more. I purchased several high end scanners (3500 US) and just wasn't happy with the lack of depth of the scanners. Then I decided to purchase a C4 Star Diagnostic system. Cost close to 700 US. It is only for MB and it is amazing. It diagnoses everything and scans everything. For anyone who has a Mercedes and doesn't want to have their eyes gouged out by a dealer this unit is a must. I have no regrets about the purchase.

 

How do these things work? I gather you receive a bunch of cables, a refurbished low-end laptop computer with software pre-installed, plus a specialized power supply to which the cables connect. And this all goes to the car. Where does it connect? I wonder because with all the good vibes being shared, what I don't see is any mention whatsoever with regard to an instruction manual. So is there a tutorial online, or maybe a YouTube video, that shows how this all works, e.g. demonstrating its use?

 

As Shertex says, you get everything you need. The C4 gets it's power from the car, and is connected by the 38 connector on pre 2002 cars, then the ODB2 port on later ones. There is then a network lead to go from the C4 to the PC, but I've now configured mine to access through wifi - just mean one less lead to plug in each time.

There is no English manual out in the public domain as far as know - remember this is supposed to be an internal Mercedes tool. However, as said above, there are tutorials and you tube videos on nearly every subject.

Didn't realize you get a laptop with it, i always thought it was just the software and hardware....not a terrible deal I guess.

You can buy them with or without a laptop - For the sake of an extra $100, I just went for the complete plug-and-play setup.

Is C4 working with newer cars?
I heard starting with W212 the scanning system changed and I wonder how C4 handle that?

Yes, mine came with software for all cars up to March 2017.


Oh, as a minor update, I've been having some fun. Turns out I can dump all the air from the suspension with a couple of mouse clicks. Rear wheels are wedged in the arches, but damn it looked fantastic! (It came back up when the engine was started )

And doing something more useful - if rather irresponsible, I found out how to play with the speed limiter. I now have a car that will do 186mph rather than the factory set 155mph!

 

No success at all in finding a manual....you have to hunt around. There's a simulator, which may be the best way to learn your way around.

There's a cable that connects to the serial port of the laptop and runs to the C3 multiplexer (the device that enables your car to talk to the software). On the other end of the multiplexer you connect another cable that connects on the other end to your car's diagnostic port.

 

ScrapingScrap as his handle says is
BenzWorld Extremist
He does things most of DIY will never do and he knows how to deal with computers.
I am more mechanically -inclined and have seen the struggle with C4 my friends have, so I decided to buy MaxiEcu.
Way cheaper, works with any computer plug & play and being legal - has the guarantee support.
Being universal scanner it does have its limits, but all is clearly written on the site.

 

I can't even imagine owning a MB now without having STAR. I didn't own it or consider one when we had our w209, but when we go the w211 I knew it was something I should start researching. I have a c4 mux and it's easily paid for itself with everything I've done/unlocked on our w211. I'm sure it would have paid for itself x2 now if I charged people to use it but it's one of those things that if a forum member asks for help I'm willing to help them. That's the whole point of a forum to me. God knows how much information I've taken and used that has helped me with solving problems on all the other forums I belong to.

Definitely agree though, some people are not computer savy and you gotta use what is best/most comfortable for ya.

-Nigel

 

Didn't realize you get a laptop with it, i always thought it was just the software and hardware....not a terrible deal I guess.

 

Is C4 working with newer cars?
I heard starting with W212 the scanning system changed and I wonder how C4 handle that?

 

Excuse my ignorance but two questions:
1. Does it come in an English version
2. I currently have the Icarsoft II...what are the limitation of that vs. this?

Thanks!

 

1. Yes, the laptop is set to US English (which is close enough to actual English for us Brits to understand ). All the regular menu items are in English. It is only when you venture into the development mode does it revert into German. I lived in Germany for 7 years, so not really a problem for me, but I wouldn't recommend delving blindly into these menus anyway without good reason to do so. Much permanent damage can be done very easily!

2. Xentry is the native software for and from Mercedes. It can do vastly more than anything aftermarket, and not only gives all the fault codes, but also provides checklists and instructions on how to further diagnose and repair particular faults. It has software with exploded diagrams of all parts and part numbers and even gives the latest (at time of purchase) $ price lists on every part for every car. My price list is correct as of Jan 2017. For day-day code reading and resetting etc, then the aftermarket code scanners are fine (I ran carsoft 7.4 for many years), but I'd certainly never go back now!

 

Lol, the kings english is still close to american I suppose

That is very much a more robust system, I will most definitely purchase it.

 

That is great van.
I love them and want to buy it. Sadly the MB Star of any version will not interface with it.

 

Which/what van? And I thought Star interfaces with Sprinters

 

I took the plunge and purchased the system the OP recommended. For $600 (delivered) I received the C4 multiplexer, several high quality cables, plus a refurbished (apparently) Lenovo X200 laptop. Plugged it in and everything seems to work - except - when I start XENTRY Diagnostic because I get a message stating: No access authorization code! You must contact User Help Desk.

Anyway, I've sent the vendor (Chinese) a message (through AliExpress PM system) and now I wait. I'm confident they will respond with something useful, however, not enough time has gone by for me to fret. Meanwhile, I continue poking around on the forum and reading. By the way, I've tried a few other things; like the Xentry Diagnosis Assistance System (no luck), as well as the StartKey Center (no luck), and Vediamo (no clue). See photos.

Last thing. I understand the multiplexer (C4) has an internal battery. I'm getting a message on its screen about check batteries but I have no clue how to charge it. Anyway, I thought perhaps it charged through the laptop but upon disconnecting it from the OBD-II port all the lights go out (the connection to the Lenovo, a nifty touchpad when the screen is flipped around, is via a network cable). Thus, it appears the C4 draws power from the car via the OBD-II port and I'm guessing this is how it's charged - but if so, why the message about checking batteries? I wonder about this because the car's batteries are both fully charged.

Anyway, it's 4th of July and I hope my fellow Americans are reflecting on the honor it is to be a citizen of this nation. I am.
--
John
407-302-3361

 

Heres your [2221-45] Fix! Attached below

 

@jbeech

Oh that's annoying about the access code - I certainly didn't get that with mine, it was completely plug and play.
I notice you have the latest software 05/2017. I got 3/2017, so maybe they didn't authorise the image correctly. No doubt their support will contact you back quickly though, they were certainly on the ball with me. The only issue is the time zone difference.

As for the batteries. There aren't any. I only know this, as when I shipped mine back the courier wanted to know about the batteries. The vendor told me that they do not contain them, but you can fit some if you like. Basically, they are not allowed to ship these things internationally with batteries in - or something like that. I've not bothered putting any in mine, because the only time I'll ever use it will be when it is plugged into the car and then it is powered from the car anyway. Actually, I have no idea why it would actually need batteries?

What car(s) are you diagnosing? Only 2012 onwards uses Xentry. 2011 back to 2000 (ish) uses DAS and anything pre 2000 uses the old HHT-PKW. Or at least that's how I understand it...

To have so much control over the 2008 e63 is just fantastic, but it is a bit awkward with my wife's 2000 CLK softy, as half the control systems use DAS and half are still on the old HHT-PKW. The two interfaces don't seem to link - which I believe they are supposed to do.

All the best for your system though. I hope you get as much out of it as I do.

 

Hi ScrapingScrap,

ArticDweller showed me how to generate a code. He shared some documents, one of which walked me through it. It's too bad these aren't hosted on this site. Anyway, below are two of them, in .PDF format, for anyone who needs to resolve a similar issue.

As for the car, it's Lynn's 2005 E320 wagon. This is our third MB wagon (I've always wondered why wagons are referred to as estates on British television programs put it down to differences in the Queen's English versus ours - kind of the way a biro is ball point pen). Our first wagon was a nicely cared for 1985 230TE (4-cylinder, 4-speed), which we owned while in Panama. We bought it from my Mom's retired boss with 85k kilometers on it. he loved the car but unfortunately, when moving back stateside, he couldn't take it with us because it wasn't US spec. Same thing happened to us when we also rotated stateside (home) in 1999 and we sold it to a Panamanian friend.

We bought her another MB wagon in 2003, this one a new C320. I foolishly sold the car in 2009 when it had short of 60k miles. I got top dollar and was sad but with the state of the economy I was struggling to save my business and sold pretty much anything not nailed down. A few years ago, realizing I couldn't afford a new one but could afford a nice used one, I spent a few months searching before getting her this one.

It's by far the nicer of the car. For example, the '85 had cloth interior and basically a base automobile in all respects. FWIW, this car was built on an E-chassis and was a lovely example of an automobile. The C320 had MB Tex and a sunroof. It was the upscale version of the body style (entry level was the C230). This one has leather, Xenon headlights, the Harmon-Kardon speakers, and best of all, active seats, which I especially like. No, the giddy-up-and-go isn't in the league with your E63 but it's adequate for her daily driver. It's the same engine as her C320 and it's amazing the difference a few hundred pounds makes. Anyway, I bet yours is fun to drive and I'm a little envious!

Finally, thanks for taking an interest in resolving my issues with the DAS setup. Now I have to try and diagnose why the engine has quit a couple times at low speed when coming to a stop. It's not showing a CEL (check engine light) but instead of hijacking your thread, I'll make a new post titled 'Engine quits when coasting to a stop'. If you have time, I'd very much appreciate your insights within that thread.

Cheers,
John

 

This activation is all assuming that the OP has the keygen app from the vendor. Not all of the clone sellers include the keygen crack tool fpr activaion of Xentry, EPC and WIS.

 

Learning more about the SDS system I purchased on OP's recommendation. Overall I am satisfied. Do have a couple of quibbles. First, each day I go to use I must generate a new keycode. Something wrong because vendor responded expressing surprise that I needed to generate the keycode claiming they had done it. I suspect some fault with the laptop. Mine came with a Lenovo X200 and online reviews peg battery life at 5+ hours and mine is dead in 20 minutes. Also, the dead keycode leads me to suspect typical coin-type battery for maintaining internal status is defective. Anyway, I awaiting response from vendor and yes, I am reasonably computer savvy. Regardless, I would buy this again. Thanks, again, ScrapingScrap!

 

Went to use the SDS/C4 system to clear a code after changing the oil in Lynn's 2005 wagon and no joy. It appears the Multiplexer has died. The vendor, Lee Marco, doesn't respond and seems to have closed his store so it looks like I'm stuck. Does anyone know about repairing these things, or is it just a matter of taking a risk on buying another?

FWIW, I took it apart and gave it a sniff test (to see if I could ID anything burned) but couldn't detect anything. What's it doing? It's failing to connect. Also, I tried installing a set of AA alkaline batteries, which brings it to life, but it still doesn't connect (and the AAs don't last very long, maybe 20 minutes). Anyway, it acts like it's connecting and then I get this message to effect t cannot connect. Finally, I've checked the cables and they seem fine (I don't exactly mistreat them, either since I do not use the system professionally and very carefully ensure they're not kinked or anything).

 

Ah damn, I feel rather guilty at recommending this system now. I tried to contact Lee Marco recently as well, as a friend wanted a similar system. He was a trusted seller on Ali-express and Alibaba, so I had no reason not to trust him. All his sales pages have gone, and my whatsapp messages to him were not delivered.

It looks like you are having the exact same problems as my first one. As described in the original post, my multiplexer died after a few weeks. They dialed in to it remotely and confirmed that it was faulty, then sent me another one immediately. This was getting on for a year ago now and the replacement has worked faultlessly since - and it gets used a lot!

Don't know what to suggest really - I suppose you will just have to try and get hold of another multiplexer?

 

Mr Beech,

I do not know what to say, but the unit to get is the one on Post 14 of this thread. I have that unit, and know others have bought that same unit, and mine still works over and over...

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/2315329-got-my-mb-star-c4-diagnostic.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/2315329-got-my-mb-star-c4-diagnostic.html#post11676657

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/201...Mb-Star-C4-for-both-Cars-and-Trucks-with-Xentry-2014-01-Version/1783909054.html

That link in post 1 does not even work........

Plus, all the support is also on that thread

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/r129-sl-class/2315329-got-my-mb-star-c4-diagnostic.html

Their are many smart people there on these systems, but paul600600 is the one who knows his stuff...

Reach out to the group there...

All the best,

MArtin

 

Do you guys have developer mode on the W211 with the C4?

 

Most of them ship that way. It really is how the seller installed the MB software.

For those that have done updates almost everyone has enabled developer mode.

 

Stay Away!



The vendors are all a crapshoot, and you get zero, I mean ZERO support from DHgate. Alibaba may be better, but since they're both in China I wouldn't risk it. I've lost $600 on this counterfeit crap that doesn't work. I need to have the counterfeit Xentry software activated on this counterfeit Dell Latitude D630 so it will work with the counterfeit MB C4 unit, and naturally the seller won't contact me about activation. So I'm stuck, with no recourse because they're in China, beyond the reach of the law. Don't buy counterfeit crap from China, period.

 

The vendors are all a crapshoot, and you get zero, I mean ZERO support from DHgate. Alibaba may be better, but since they're both in China I wouldn't risk it. I've lost $600 on this counterfeit crap that doesn't work. I need to have the counterfeit Xentry software activated on this counterfeit Dell Latitude D630 so it will work with the counterfeit MB C4 unit, and naturally the seller won't contact me about activation. So I'm stuck, with no recourse because they're in China, beyond the reach of the law. Don't buy counterfeit crap from China, period.

That's why it's always best to use a credit card. This way, you can issue a charge-back if you get shoddy merchandise. Either they will suddenly become very interested in getting back to you quickly...or they cut bait, in which case, good riddance. Either way, you got your money back.

 

I purchased from mbstartool.com. Item PP03. Have been using it for about 1 month, and it has worked perfectly each time. Had some questions and they were all answered within 24 hours.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I have reviewed this post and did not see anything about the Star C4 being able to reprogram and or coding?
I need to program my vin into a used SRS module I installed on my 2005 SL500, R230.
If it will do this, what is the preferred vendors name on AliExpress?
Thanks, Patrick

 

Many of them have hacked the Xentry/DAS software to allow for offline coding.
Some of them list that as a feature they include. I do not know which of the sellers on AliExpress have listings that offer it, but they are there.

 

So the local Mercedes dealer service dept will not program my vin into the used SRS module I install on my 2005 SL500.

Those of you that have a SDS with programming, can I send you my module to program my vin? Do you need the car to do it? Is anybody near Santa Fe NM that I can drive it to? I have family in Denver, willing to drive it up there.

Thanks, Patrick