Try having the engine running during DAS hook-up and operation.

 

Hi
Yes I have tried that, and makes no difference at all. I last had sds on it a week ago and all was perfect, shut down as normal and disconnected everything the same as I always have done. Connected this morning and this issue was there straight away.
I have self taught myself sds with the help of all the info on here, until today never had an issue so been very lucky !!! The only thing I haven't checked yet are the main prefuses and will be looking at those in the morning, but in my head they should be OK as I cannot find any system on the car not operating. The only thing it's waiting for is an air con regas as just also swapped condenser and dryer, but cannot see what I would have disturbed changing that to cause this no coms problem to eis.

 

Good Evening

I have spent the day trying to move forward on this but made no progress of any real measure. Only confusing myself further lol.
When the connections are all made I have noticed the lock icon at the bottom of the screen on the right is continually locking and unlocking without any input from myself. Also when attempting to connect when the lock showing unlocked it is doing the same lock/unlock etc. I have also checked through Star Utilities the start key centre and get "errors in the system network configuration. Please check your settings"
I presume that is not a normal message there ????
Also in the XENTRY DAS area in red it says " no start key available. Please order your personal startkey as soon as possible through the usual ordering channels". Again is this normal there.
I have reset all the startkdys in exactly the same way as when I first bought the system but this has also made no difference in anyway.
I will try to attach a screenshot of startkey screen to make it clearer. Any advice much appreciated as now I have no idea on which way to move forward.
Regards Brendan

 

It looks to me like you need to generate new keys...

 

Hello and thank you for your kind reply. I did go through the process of generating new start key and then replacing the stored one for Xentry and also the ones for wis and epc. They all appear to be working apart from DAS. When I bought the SDS these were the only 3 keys I needed to generate and everything worked perfectly and has done for over 2 years until this connection problem yesterday.
If I am supposed to create a separate startkey for DAS what is the correct procedure for that as I have never needed to do it so totally in the dark as to how.
Regards Brendan

 

As far as I know those three keys are all you need. Unless your DAS provider has set something as Start Key with your system. Can you reach out and ask whomever set your system up?

 

Good Morning,
Also tried a mercedes Autel scanner and nothing connects.

If generic OBDII scanner will not connect you have dead short in CAN network.

 

Good Afternoon,

Many thanks for your replies. Over the last couple of days I have been doing further investigation on this issue. I will list my current attempts at finding the cause of this issue.
I firstly have checked the voltage supply to the obd connector in the car and have correct voltages according to the wis information I looked up so ruled out that being the issue.
I also checked the earth points and security of all pins in the socket. All checked out sound and no issues found.
I then removed the eis to check the wiring integrity between it and the obd connector and found everything in order and no signs of rubbed or burnt wires.
So ruling out wiring etc I then have rechecked using other generic obd tools I have. These connect on the normal obd protocol without a problem and can show no faults on the engine ecu.
I also have a delphi multi vehicle unit and this connects to the eis, abs, engine,airmatic and several other modules but is limited to reading and resetting codes only but proves in my mind the fault is not in the car but in my sds system as if the delphi can interrogate these systems surely the sds should be able to if operating correctly ???
I may be leaping to huge conclusions with that and please advise if I am wrong.
On the basis of thinking the sds is somehow at fault I did a system restore on the laptop hoping it would just be a software glitch but no change. I have reset the startkeys each time I have done anything to the laptop to ensure its working as a fresh start so to speak. The wis and epc are working without fault.
Watching the connection info at the bottom of the screen on the right near the clock as soon as I connect the multiplexer to the obd port the padlock unlocks, it remains unlocked until DAS get to the point of it actually connecting to the car via the software then the padlock instantly locks and then remains so until I either unplug from the port or close DAS.
My current thinking is I have a faulty multiplexer as I am at a loss as to what else it can be. Does anyone have any advice or experience to guide me on my next move.
The car is currently running perfectly and I have the facility to check and erase codes with my delphi unit but I want my SDS unit back up and running as its invaluable when owning and running these cars and saved me many headaches until this problem.
I am more than happy to be told I am overthinking this or not being methodical enough so please say if I am not going in the right direction.
I have done much searching on here and Google but cannot really see anything like this problem being discussed.
Thank you for your patience reading this I realise it's a long post just wanted to say what I have done to give a full picture.
Regards Brendan

 

Test your Star system on another MB car. If it does not connect then yes potentially you have a problem with your mux. (C3 or C4?)

You can run Caeser tests on the mux although I have not done this myself. If you determine the mux is bad then it will be impossible to find anyone to repair it so best buy another one (the cost of buying China gear!)

 

contact paul600;He has posted here before and can analyze your multiplexer via teamviewer.
If your sds ever worked correctly before, it's one thing, but the cable connection between the MUX must be of correct configuration for the software.
Had that problem long time ago.
good luck!
BTW: did you ever connect to the internet MB (bad idea). Some software configs try to do that in the background,

 

Hi thank you for your replies,

I will arrange to test the sds on my friend's merc in the morning, an obvious thing I never even thought of !!! My system is a C3 and I have had it over 2 years and it's worked perfectly in all that time. It does have a wireless printer setup on the laptop to print off wis info etc and has since new so does intermittently connect to the Internet but has done for printing purposes only then the wireless card is switched back off. It had not been used on Internet on the day in question though.
I has already accepted when purchasing this sds system that any hardware issues would be a case of throw away and buy again so am willing to purchase again just want to ensure I am buying fir the correct reason so to speak.
I will see how it reacts tomorrow on this other vehicle and go from there. I will also look at this ceaser tests and see how to fathom its workings also.
Finally when I have exhausted all I can do to my ability I will look up paul600 and see if he can kindly help. Just want to ensure I do all I can so to speak so not to seem to be taking advantage when not willing to try or learn myself. I will update on the eventual fix as researching this I have seen so many people asking for help then disappear without the courtesy of a thank you and this is what fixed it. Helps no one and really not in the spirit of asking in first place.
Regards Brendan

 

Good evening again,

So todays saga continues, I tried the sds on a w208 and another w220 and get exactly the same failed connection issues so am presuming that is now pretty much buttoning down the fault is either with the multiplexer or the software somehow corrupted.
I have I think managed to run a ceasar test but it means absolutely nothing to me in all honesty. I will attach screenshots in the hope someone far more knowledgeable can see if it can point to where the problems may lay.
Grasping at straws several youtube videos are saying the comport bits per second rates can have affects so tried altering those as it seems others had success but alas for me no difference in the slightest.
I have also removed the printer software and disabled the wireless connection to ensure in no way can the laptop connect to the internet granted a little late if this turns out to be the cause of all my issues!!!!.
Being honest now completely at a loss where to go next except give up and buy a new system, seems to be a very expensive way to solve this but at end of my experience and current ability. Cannot find anything on these systems that actual is a definitive guide on the correct setting up procedure when a fault has occurred and you want to reset to a clean install basis, I am guessing if they gave that information out no one would be buying more software or systems etc. Thank you for everyones patience reading my ramblings and the kind and helpful responses I have had so far. Will think about this and decide do I just buy again or give up on sds. Then when my car gives up the ghost next time, move on to something new. Really not wanting that but if these chinese sds systems are as bad as most are implying and I have been lucky for 2 years with mine, then not able to keep buying a new unit every 12 to 24 months. Much thinking to be done. Screenshots of ceasar test on next post.
Regards Brendan

 

Ceasar Test Screenshots

 

A final question for tonight then I shall leave all you good people in peace. While doing more google searches a Benzworld member post from 2012 came up by "ricebubbles" it has an extremely detailed attachment regarding his system run on a vmware player virtual machine so different to mine but it says in the write up the following

"I then learnt the hard way that installing and switching on the SDS on a laptop connected to the Internet results in the system automatically downloading SDS “Addons” and in the process, it seems, being “Black Listed” by MB thus preventing the MUX from working/connecting."
Could this indeed be my own problem and if so how do I locate any "add ons" if they have been installed to see if this has happened. Then if they have does it then mean my system is forever corrupted or can I delete said files and some how reinstate the necessary files to get my MUX communicating again.
Again thank you for your patience.
Regards Brendan

 

I realize that you are trying to solve/fix your mux at this point but and this is only my opinion, I would just purchase a good new C4 from Ali Express and call it a day. If you will encounter any issues with the software after, shoot me or Paul600 a PM!

 

Never, EVER connect your SDS computer to the Internet, not even for a short time.

@doni01 did an SDS laptop build for me with the 2016 and 2020 software, and it works very well. It will NEVER connect to the Internet. If I want to print something, I'll use a USB connection.

 

I think it depends on who did the Software, mine go on Wi Fi sometimes with no ill effects, the one thing you must do is to switch off the Wi Fi before closing any programs like EWA or DAS / Xentry but even then I have sometimes forgotten and had no issues.

If it does get through to MB Mothership the worst that will happen is you have to re do your KeyGens

 

Are you sure that's the worst? I've read about MUXes getting bricked when SDS reached out to the mothership and could actually connect. Fortunately I haven't experienced that personally....

 

Absolutely ................. Never had an issue, several of us have even connected to MB Server, (via China Server) to do SCN work on later Cars a while ago, (last year).

I would not recommend anyone gets clever and tries that unless their software has been specifically fettled for that like one of my 4 machines (2020) has, although now, last time I discussed it, I am reliably told that it is no longer possible, MB have rowed us all out

BTW, that was not using C3, I was using C4 SD Connect, I rarely use my C3 these days

 

Many thanks to all the great replies and very helpful advice and info. I think the best is to just buy again as the cost of my original outlay has repaid me many times over.
I am sorry to be a pain but cam I ask for a little more advice.
The suggestion to buy the c4 kit now. I have no intention of replacing my 1999 S500, nor do I forsee buying a mercedes of any model any newer in the future as I have several other cars keeping me busy and age and health are always concerns. So reading about the C4 there is many posts saying they are unreliable etc. So is the C4 the best for my particular situation being only used on the S500.
I am happy to buy the best kit that's suited to me so C3 being older tech should I just say no definitely C4.
Finally am I best buying the WiFi version or non WiFi as again read horror stories. Saying that reading up when getting the C3 it was madness to even looking to buy one reading "the happy chaps" on internet!!! It until now performed without fault so my experience nothing but positive even considering this problem.
So should I be looking at C4 wifi or none wifi. ???
Again thanks to all for your patience and generous replies.
Regards Brendan

 

I have been looking at the various c4 offerings on Aliexpress and one query, one seller is stating that as C4 is now connected via green lan cable it can only be used with Dell or Toshiba laptops ???
I have several panasonic CF-52 toughbooks that I have used for years for all diagnostics so does this mean I will need a new laptop as well to run a C4 ??? The CF-52's I have do have lan ports but may not be compatible reading this sellers comment.
Regards Brendan

 

Hi Brendan,
As far as your first question regarding the C3 and C4, I would go for a C4 with the wifi. Not that the one without it is bad. I just personally for few dollars more like to have the option! Now for our cars, the C4 works very well especially in combination with the Xentry 09-2016 Software.
On the second question, any laptop that has a lan port will work. I wouldn't go for something brand new since the newer processors do not mix well with win7/32
So what you have will work just fine! One thing I would highly recommend would be to use a processor above i3 and a reputable name SSD Drive like a Crucial, Samsung, SK Hynix etc...That would be your biggest improvement that you could do to any system.

 

C3 is old hat now, the C4 SD Connect is way more reliable these days

What @doni01 said

 

Good morning,
Now making the firm decision of purchasing the C4 sdconnect kit I let curiosity get the better of me and nothing to loose decided to open up the now defunct C3 mux to see what if anything was apparent.
I have attached photos to show the corrosion to the boards that is clearly apparent and must have brought about the demise of the mux. With no intention of not going ahead with purchasing a new C4 kit I decided to clean the board with electrical cleaner to see if it made any difference but as there was an acrid smell to the board I already knew it was a lost cause. My character flaw of stupidity and stubbornness would not let me not try !!!
As everyone already knows no difference at all and the mux is now a decorative paperweight.
I am truly grateful to all who gave me guidance and patiently read my ramblings and I have learnt new areas of the sds system from that so please don't think it was wasted on me.
Special thanks to one member who is going to set me up with a properly set up reliable ssd with correct and reliable software for the c4. I don't want to mention who for the only reason I don't have his permission to say as I am writing this but you know who you are and my grateful thanks are genuine.
So I will be purchasing the C4 in the coming weeks and I will follow up on my experience with it being a total "newbie" to this equipment and the comparison to the C3. It may be of interest to some who are thinking of an upgrade or maybe not.
I was surprised when looking at the c3 boards how well they appear to have been put together considering it is a Chinese clone version, the components do look like a reasonable quality and apart from the corrosion aspect everything else was pretty much as knew but clearly something has blown on the board somewhere.
Regards Brendan

 

It's good to see that you at least have found an issue

This is one reason I keep my Workshop and my car garage heated, I have many many dealer level kits for all different marques, plus all my tools, where we live everything corrodes if left in a regular shed
The heating costs me a bit, but not as much as replacing stuff and of course for me that workshop heating is tax deductable

There won't be much difference "User" wise between your old and new systems

 

Hi Dave,

Living here in Aberdeenshire with its changing weather sometimes on an hourly basis I unfortunately do not have a building on the croft big enough to keep my cars in so they face the weather all year round. Sharing this wonderful country as our home you are fully acquainted with the fun climate and the issues for vehicles it can bring.
I have always kept all my diagnostic kit in the house and it only goes out when needed for working purposes and then only in the better weather days, getting too old for the days of car repairs in the wind and rain these days. I do think though the damper conditions we face most of the year and more than likely the poor quality solder used in the building these units have caused the failure. I am not going to get into saying it is complete rubbish as I had over 2 years of perfect working order from it and if I look at the cost (I think it was £398 at the time with a refurbished dell laptop) it has not done me badly. If I needed to pay an indie or god forbid a dealer for the use I have had from it then it would easily be into the £1000's.
I have been reading the posts etc on the forum and learning from them for just over 6 years (3 months with this Bren-S50OOL name) and always thought it crazy how many refused the advice to buy SDS and blindly kept on replacing parts or saying the advice was "rubbish and unhelpful". Its only that if you don't listen and understand!!!
SDS is absolutely crucial when owning these cars, just as all you guys knowledgeable keep advising people. Hopefully sometime soon the seeds of change will come and people will start to see keeping these wonderful cars isn't hard or difficult as long as you ask, listen and then take the help and advice so freely given.

Regards Brendan

PS if this has come across as a rant I truly don't mean it in that vein just my own perspective on reading many posts and seeing good advice being wasted. So apologies to those that take it in the wrong way.