I don't know Icarsoft. Whatever you use needs to have 38 pin adapter that plugs into diagnostic socket in fuse box.

Autel AP200M with adapter around $100. Foxwell with adapter around $220.

Smoking hot deal on the Autel AP200M scan tool - $30 at...

Just want to let everyone know that there is currently a promotion on the Autel AP200M. There is a 10% off coupon on the product page, and a 40% off promotion - which is automatically applied within the cart when you begin to checkout. Total price before taxes works out to $29.97. I don’t know...

www.benzworld.org

Autel AP200M BT dongle

Newest Autel BT dongle. Most affordable and portable scanner. Good coverage, very good shareable reports in PDF format. Included in price EOBD and one car line for a year. After that $19.99 a year. Software installation simple and easy. Very large download. Uses 3.65 GB of internal storage...

www.benzworld.org

 

I don't know Icarsoft. Whatever you use needs to have 38 pin adapter that plugs into diagnostic socket in fuse box.

Autel AP200M with adapter around $100. Foxwell with adapter around $220.

Smoking hot deal on the Autel AP200M scan tool - $30 at...

Just want to let everyone know that there is currently a promotion on the Autel AP200M. There is a 10% off coupon on the product page, and a 40% off promotion - which is automatically applied within the cart when you begin to checkout. Total price before taxes works out to $29.97. I don’t know...

www.benzworld.org

Autel AP200M BT dongle

Newest Autel BT dongle. Most affordable and portable scanner. Good coverage, very good shareable reports in PDF format. Included in price EOBD and one car line for a year. After that $19.99 a year. Software installation simple and easy. Very large download. Uses 3.65 GB of internal storage...

www.benzworld.org

Thank you.
Will those 100% be able to connect to the diag port and clear TCM?? Both are cheaper than the icarsoft , I already have an adapter for the 38 pin connector, Got it in hopes the scanner I already have would be able to communicate with the car. Figured it wouldn’t but it was worth a try.

 

I did not know that they weren’t all the same when I bought it. I have no idea what brand it is its just one from Amazon I found for cheap a while ago before I did some research and started to actually gain a better understanding. Thanks man I’ll check out your overview hopefully that will help out in my search.

 

UPDATE
After a day of searching and talking with tech support I found one that will work.

iCarsoft MB V1.0 Enhanced 2025 Version Mercedes, Sprinter & Smart Multi System 16 & 38 Pin Diagnostic Reset Tool Engine ABS Airbags - OFFICIAL ICARSOFT PRODUCT

DISPATCHING TODAY 29 sold in last 30 days WAS £169 NOW £149 IN STOCK - 17 AVAILABLE SAME DAY DISPATCH FROM OUR UK BA

www.diagnostic-world.com

 

After a day of searching and talking with tech support I found one that will work.

Many people here have had bad experiences with the icarsoft and have very negative things to say about it. I've never used it, so I don't know personally. I'd advise you to buy it from a place like Amazon that has easy returns.

 

I would confirm that it will access ALL modules (not just a handful) in your 97 w210.

 

It will access All but one if I remember correctly, but for sure will access TCM and can reset Limp Mode which was my main concern

 

UPDATE
icarsoft MB V1.0 was able to clear the TCM car is out of limp mode and driving normal again finally. Only cost about $150.00 for scanner and 38 pin adapter on Amazon

 

UPDATE
icarsoft MB V1.0 was able to clear the TCM car is out of limp mode and driving normal again finally. Only cost about $150.00 for scanner and 38 pin adapter on Amazon

Link?

 

Thanks for your post! I decided to get the MB V1.0 and the 38-pin adapter based on your experience. I was able to clear the faults off the TCM on my W210 (1999 E320 4Matic) and get out of electrical limp.

 

Me2, appreciate to the above comment - I'm another W210 DIY owner, this 20-year-old kid has been suffered from Limp Mode for 2 months. I keep searching and try helping out during this period.

Diagnosis tools - I have a Foxwell NT520Elite w 38pin connector, bought from eBay a few years ago (just in case for the future need), this time cannot help, undetectable any TCM for diagnosis. Hence, I have concern to buy aftermarket tools again. After all, I just bought iCarsoft v1.0 w its 38pin connector at Amazon.

Prior to this, I'm happy to share my story for both this kid and which tool I should go (Keep reading Benz forum, watching youtube DIY, asking questions etc.)

Option 1:
MB Star - I'm zero experience user and read there're lots of multiplexer (C3, C4, C5, C6). For W210 or 38pin connector under the hood, I was told (forum, Aliexpress seller) that C3 is the only option I can choose, "Com Port, HHT-WIN, this car is too old, .... etc" Not that expensive, less than USD700, it includes thick cables, grey box C3 multiplexer, windows XP on a used laptop. Well, I have many laptops already and don't want to own an extra. After all, I talk to myself "Your Uncle has another 2014 W212 E350, it's worth buying and investing. Panasonic Toughbook CF19 is thick but you can play how tough after the diagnosis". Yesterday, while almost clicked to buy, the Aliexpress seller told me, "You better go for Dell, it's very old model but run C3 well, better than Panasonic." This trashed my excuse to buy. Subsequently, I'm also informed C3 is not support newer model (W212? Not included?). To be blunt, I have concern that I need some time to configure and learn how to use Star and this creates more issues to me (Hey, why don't just go for your mechanic? You don't want to use this laptop frequently – if no, it implies this kid has many problems. But if use it once only, it's not worth investing. Dilemma!!)

Option 2:
iCarsoft - I also spent time to learn its product series, there're V1.0, 2.0, 3.0, CR-Pro, CR-MAX. Skipping 2.0 and CR-Pro, I should look for V1.0, 3.0, CR-MAX. These series provide more advanced functions than the previous one. The Star (yet) buying experience gimme gut feeling - don't go for the latest model and trash the idea for “buy 1 stuff then apply to all”. CR-MAX (Benz + other bands) is same as 3.0 (Benz only) which is more advanced than 1.0 (Benz only). Happy to read the above successful experience for W210, I'll try myself. This skip me building Star learning curve and see if I can get rid of Limp Mode.

See if you're interested, here's is the Limp Mode story.
2 months ago, I drove outside for buying something, park aside a street. Back and started engine (key turning 1,2, .... time lag then starts engine), it popped me the underneath and went into limp mode:
(1) Display Defective, BAC/ESP/ABS warning on dashboard
(2) Gear stuck in P (cannot move, I need to drive back to home. Then screw driver to the hole below D, unlocked, can move to D, drive in 2nd gear, dashboard pointers all zeros (speed, rev, temp, etc.) and warning "visit workshop")

Same day, read forum, (1) possibly be resolved by "R=R1+R2" which R1 is resistance of washer level sensor resistance and R2 is of coolant level sensor. I go for the easy one, replaced R1 by Febi new sensor. Display Defective was gone, then I didn't touch coolant for R2. Subsequently, I replaced the brake light switch and see if it can help (no harm to replace, cheap part and used for many years). BAC/ESP/ABS is gone too but reappearing sometimes (While using the Foxwell scan tool, I read the dashboard with 3 malfunction but found no fault codes at the Foxwell. If I ain’t use this tool, probably no such malfunctions, it’s weird!! - scanning then error on dash. No scanning, No error.).

The most frustrating issue is the transmission - it has been running for 6 years since last change ATF, last time (also limp mode - conductor plate, 13-pin plug) was done by my mechanic and this time DIY. I bought and replaced OEM MB ATF (4L), new gasket, 13-pin plug, and conductor plate. Prior to this job, I checked the TCM had little oil at the connector plugs and the 13-pin plug connecting to the conductor plate. Then I clean and remove the ATF oil by spraying electronic cleaner.

After the job, the situation has no change, turn key (1,2 .... time lag for 1/8 second... start engine), no malfunction. Foot on brake, try shifting PRND, it happened like this limp mode:
P to R (clunk sound), R to N(ok), N to D(clunk sound).
P to D (clunk sound), D to N(ok), N to R(cannot move, locked at N, switch off the engine, then can move to P)

The DIY job is exactly followed the youtube video, which he reminded TCM need to be reset in the end.
Finger crossed; I wish it could be resolved by iCarsoft v1.0. for simplicity.

 

I use my old Snap On MT2500 scanner with the Mercedes card for vehicles of this age. I have the 38 pin connector adapter and it is the absolute best tool I have had for scanning these older vehicles.

 

Grab some updates after scanning by iCarsoft V1.0

It is confirmed this handy tool can do scanning, read, erase faulty codes on ECU, TCM, IC, ESM, ABS/ESP etc....
First scan, which is freak me out, lots of faulty codes on ECU (O2 sensors both sides), TCM (15 faulty codes, almost every solenoids, canbus communication, 15/N sth.....), IC(Washer Level sensor short circuit).
Second scan, which I erased the above codes, looks much better, it remains 3 faulty codes. ECU no error, TCM (15/N communication for codes 034 and 130 respectively), IC(Washer Level Sensor short circuit), ESP no error. While doing scanning, almost every time will pop me 3 malfunctions (ESP/ABS/BAC).

Today, make another scan again, same as 2nd scan, but knowing more after reading what's 15/N which is ESM (Electronic Selector Lever Module). That's Shift Gear Box (PRND). No linkage is found.

Now, I know the problem - it's not the Oil Leakage found at TCM and its 13-pin Plug, nor the conductor plate, AFT for 6 years. After all, I feel better to read this because the last DIY project (jack up, jack stand, 2 guys underneath the car, extremely careful to dissemble and assemble the conductor plate, take photo and videos for every step), much worried about if anything wrong and TCM. The iCarsoft can read module and codes for deletion, which is good news.

ESM - after watching this video (particular 10:00 which is exactly my car behavior) -

- confirmed the root cause of limp mode is due to the failure of this item. Albeit the issue has yet been solved, I can see big progress and get into the right direction to quickly resolve the problem asap. Thanks everyone and iCarsoft.

 

Well, seeing a dash instead of the selected gear on the instrument panel should have told you something .

Have you checked the connector at the TCM end for contamination too ?

You can look at the live data at the TCM to see what the TCM receives (if any from the ESM, in terms of selected gear. Also you can access ESM live data to do the same checks.

 

Hi mrboca, appreciate for your comment. I attached some old and new photos for interesting reference.

In June (000), it happened initially with dash "Display Defective" then 3 malfunctions (BAC/ESP/ABS), gear stuck at P (cannot move).

As of today (001), no malfunctions (except while scanning by iCarsoft / Foxwell, most likely it popped me the above 3 malfunctions or just 1 malfunction (BAC) error). At least I know it is not relating to ABS module or ESP Pressure Sensor (expensive part). After all, I changed the (OEM) Brake light Switch and (Febi) Washer Level Sensor last month. No Scanning, no malfunction. iCarsoft keep popped me short circuit on Washer Level Sensor, Foxwell found no faulty.

2 photos (002), both TCM Adapter and 13-pin plug underneath are oil contaminated. I sprayed electronic cleaner for both areas.

(003), the TCM 13-pin plug (also conductor plate) are replaced to new and looks normal. I extremely carefully did this DIY job.
After scanning the car, I am quite sure that the TCM, Conductor Plate, Solenoids, Plugs’ connection should be normal. Thanks to your advice, definitely will do diagnosis again and read the live data.

(004) is my Shifter. Per the ESM youtube, the "Clunk Sounds / Hard Engagement" from P to R or D, stuck at N (cannot move to P, need to switch off engine), the dash has no PRND identification. This should be the root cause of the current limp mode. I found some used parts at eBay and cannot find new part, any suggestion Sir?

(005) Just for comparison, iCarsoft look smaller than the Foxwell. This handy tool will always come with the car and stored at Trunk.

(006) Previously, I used Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 for Oil change once every 5000km or 3000 miles. Shops introduced me Hengst (famous for filter) has release good oil with very affordable price. Checked USD25 for 4L, I ordered twice and do the oil change. It is MB 229.31 and 226.5 approved for both gas (me) and diesel engine. MB 229.51 is Low SPAsh Multigrade Service Engine Oils, I read somewhere mentioned that it is extended service interval for 20k km. So, this oil change is able to run for another 20,000 km, isn't it? If yes, do I also extend the interval for oil filter replacement?

Grateful for your advice,

 

Obtain the live data from your scanner for the ETC, ESM, and also ECM (engine computer) for the gear selector status. Post the screen shots with the actual gear position, and gear selection as received by the TCM, and ECM.

Your TCM connector looks contaminated. Have you cleaned the TCM board too with electronic connector cleaner spray ? This requires removal of the printed circuit board from the casing.

Did you have the dash on the gear selector display after you started having problems, or was it always there (defective pixels / segments in the display) ?

Regarding engine oil, I would not go as far as 20,000 km with any oil change. The oil may be fine, but the additives would be depleted.

Regarding the filter, I would replace the filter at 5 to 6 thousand miles, even if you do not change the oil at that interval.

 

Yes, I cleaned the TCM (sprayed by electronic cleaner) too together with other 2 TCM which I bought at eBay 6 years ago. Pictures attached. They all look dry and clean, no oil found. iCarsoft can read the module information, for both TCM and ECU. Reading TCM has two faulty codes (034,130) while ESM (no linkage or connection). Live Data to be checked later, not at garage at the moment. Yesterday when I checked the RSM Gear Shifter, I smell it slight burnt.

The Dash can show PRND prior to the problem, albeit the dash has pixels issues which is common for W210. When I first came across "Display Defective" all meters point to zero and the gear has "no show" for gear until now. I ain't notice this because the digital pixels are not fully displayed like the clock and temperature. But I can confirm it show PRND for normal operation.

 

If no access to ESM to read codes, or live data:

1) the fuse is blown. The fuse is common with the TCM. If TCM access is available (read codes, live data, TCM module version data), then the fuse is not blown

2) Bad power connection to the ESM. Check connector.

3) The ESM diagnosis acces line is bad (socket on the 38-pin diagnostic port on the car).

4) Problem with the scanner.

5) The ESM electronic module is bad (if something spilled on it). The only way to find out is to remove and visually inspect for any damage, burn, corrosion, short, etc.

#5 is more likely if you have not done anything in the ESM area electrically or mechanically.

 

Yes, I checked all the fuses are good and normal.
For ESM, I ain't touch but the recent driving habbit has done something wrong. Recently, I switched off the engine while the gear has yet pushed back to P, sometimes at D or N. This is not a good practice nor an execuse for me, it is my fault.
Else, most of the time while stopping for traffic light, I just keep at D (not swapping between D and N) and don't play tiptronic(+/-) neither.
Thanks mrboca that your diagnosis helping out it should be #5 - luckily can meet you for professional advice
will do live data on scanning tomorrow.

 

Undernealth is a high-level summary of the scanning result as of today:

	Module	Read Code	Live Data
ECU	Yes	No Fault Code	Yes
TCM	Yes	034, 130	Yes
IC	Yes	B112B	Yes
ESM	N/A	N/A	N/A

Attached are the further captioned pictures, the result is obviously ESM which I am looking for good parts replacement. Thanks Sir mrboca and everyone reading this post (limit me max 10 pictures). After all, the dash has 1 malfunction (BAS, Visit Workshop - Code B112B should be IC Washer Level Sensors Resistance). If no scanning, probably no such malfuction popped me up.

 

Obviously the TCM (ETC) is not receiving the gear selection information from the ESM over the CAN bus.

I would make sure that the ESM actually receives the power and ground at its connector with key in position 2. If it does, then this would confirm a bad ESM.

B112B points to a short in the washer / coolant line. If you have no messages on the IC and the visual check of the fluid levels show no problems, I would forget about it for the time being.

 

Absolutely agree. Since the Dash has no show PRND, I'll assume the ESM is bad. At eBay, I search and found some replacment parts made in 2015. It is more expensive but don't know if Mercedes has changed the design (like Conductor Plate, later design is more durable as I was told for this DIY job). In touch with the local dealer, there's no new part. Else, lots of old parts made in 2001 but no confidence to buy. Attached are the rest of pictures which has reached the max limit in the last post. Appreciate for your adivce, thank you Sir.

 

With the available parts dwindling, and prices going up, you do not have much choice but get a used one from EBay or Junk Yard, or the like. Make sure you can return the item free of charge if the item does not work for you.

Make sure that the part numbers match, and you do not get one that would not fit in form fit and function.

An example

2000 20001 2002 MERCEDES E320 E430 W210 AUTOMATIC FLOOR SHIFTER 210267075 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2000 20001 2002 MERCEDES E320 E430 W210 AUTOMATIC FLOOR SHIFTER 210267075 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Your profile DOES NOT indicate the model (E320?, E430?, EXXX?

Please update your profile with the model. Also indicate, if it is a wagon, RWD or 4WD.