[csmaan12]

I'll preface by saying that after my recent experience I will be attempting to buy SDS, however since I needed something that reads vehicle data quickly, I got this iCarsoft MB II scanner until I figure out how to get SDS at a decent price.

Anyway, I really like how much info this thing reads out, and it does display quite a few sensors which I have never seen on any other scanner (or car to be honest).

1. So here's where I got stuck....I get through car selection, pick 220.070, and it gives me 35 different options to explore. TCU/Suspension/etc. I went through most of them and they work fine, except for some reason it cannot connect to ECM to check if there are any codes. Only the standard OBD II way works (scanned and no codes). Why is this? It just displays "Fault in communication with ECU, blah blah blah, check if this is a supported module and that ignition is on (it is)". My car is a 2000, perhaps it doesn't support this?

2. Another weird thing is that when the scanner is loading all the modules, my BAS/ABS lights come on while it's loading, and then they turn off after 15 seconds or so, basicaly by the time it finishes. Is this normal? The same lights that come on when you disconnect your battery that you reset by turning the wheel full left and full right.

Is it possible that the scanner is messed up, or my OBD II port is acting up? Fuses checked, nothing weird there.

 

[tesla154]

I have the iCarsoft CR Pro and haven't been too pleased with its performance on older Mercedes vehicles. It couldn't even read the secondary air code on my W209 without resorting to generic OBD. I remember having to pull star out recently when the iCarsoft wouldn't work for the 220 too. I'm pretty sure this is a problem with your tool and not the car. I'll check if mine can read my ecu.

I seem to remember my ABS light coming on when scanning every module, but that may have been on a BMW. I'll check on the 220. I know the AC screen says DIAG. when the car is being scanned.

I think the best way to get an SDS is directly from the manufacturer on Alibaba. The wait is long but the price is very good. They can include a HDD you can stick directly into a dell D630 from ebay for a complete diagnostic solution at around $300-$400. Shenzhen Antech Century Technology Co., Ltd is a good source in my opinion. They can include a HDD for you too.

 

[csmaan12]

I have the iCarsoft CR Pro and haven't been too pleased with its performance on older Mercedes vehicles. It couldn't even read the secondary air code on my W209 without resorting to generic OBD. I remember having to pull star out recently when the iCarsoft wouldn't work for the 220 too. I'm pretty sure this is a problem with your tool and not the car. I'll check if mine can read my ecu.

I seem to remember my ABS light coming on when scanning every module, but that may have been on a BMW. I'll check on the 220. I know the AC screen says DIAG. when the car is being scanned.

I think the best way to get an SDS is directly from the manufacturer on Alibaba. The wait is long but the price is very good. They can include a HDD you can stick directly into a dell D630 from ebay for a complete diagnostic solution at around $300-$400. Shenzhen Antech Century Technology Co., Ltd is a good source in my opinion. They can include a HDD for you too.

Thanks for checking! That's what I figured, I'm going to probably order something soon because I figure if I decide to buy another Mercedes in the future it might be worth it. I just learned a bunch of lessons this last week that convinced me that SDS is basically non negotiable when working on this car. I was just turned off by the prices on eBay 😑. Although they do have kits on there for about $400 without the laptop. Do you think that's okay too or is it better to get one from Alibaba?

 

[tesla154]

Thanks for checking! That's what I figured, I'm going to probably order something soon because I figure if I decide to buy another Mercedes in the future it might be worth it. I just learned a bunch of lessons this last week that convinced me that SDS is basically non negotiable when working on this car. I was just turned off by the prices on eBay 😑. Although they do have kits on there for about $400 without the laptop. Do you think that's okay too or is it better to get one from Alibaba?

A good scan tool is always worth it. Every time you read a code it means you're not paying someone else $150 to do it for you.

I'd go with Alibaba. The ebay sellers are just reselling from there anyway. I paid $25 extra for DHL shipping and got it in 9 days. I purchased the laptop separately and ended up spending $405 all together. I don't think ebay sellers come anywhere near that.

 

[csmaan12]

A good scan tool is always worth it. Every time you read a code it means you're not paying someone else $150 to do it for you.

I'd go with Alibaba. The ebay sellers are just reselling from there anyway. I paid $25 extra for DHL shipping and got it in 9 days. I purchased the laptop separately and ended up spending $405 all together. I don't think ebay sellers come anywhere near that.

You're definitely right, I found this on there. https://ic-antech.en.alibaba.com/pr....html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.94.14.1a881d2e7Yfp8f

Does that look right, if so I'll probably order that then, and get the Laptop locally. Only thing is, say I get a later model Benz, would I be able to interface with it as well. For example a 2015? Should I maybe shoot for a C4 or just use the C3?

 

[tesla154]

You're definitely right, I found this on there. https://ic-antech.en.alibaba.com/pr....html?spm=a2700.icbuShop.94.14.1a881d2e7Yfp8f

Does that look right, if so I'll probably order that then, and get the Laptop locally. Only thing is, say I get a later model Benz, would I be able to interface with it as well. For example a 2015? Should I maybe shoot for a C4 or just use the C3?

That's the listing I ordered from. The software I got was dated 12/2018 and has selections for cars like the w218 and w222. I don't have any newer benzes to play with so I don't have any practical experience with them. I remember reading that the C3 had a more reliable connection than the C4, but that could be outdated or incorrect information. I don't know much else about the C4.

 

[csmaan12]

That's the listing I ordered from. The software I got was dated 12/2018 and has selections for cars like the w218 and w222. I don't have any newer benzes to play with so I don't have any practical experience with them. I remember reading that the C3 had a more reliable connection than the C4, but that could be outdated or incorrect information. I don't know much else about the C4.

I'll probably just get that then and ask if they have one with a newer software. I'll sell it later if I have to. Thank you for your advice by the way, it's helped me narrow this down a lot!

 

[wallyp]

I would get the software on a Solid State drive, build a Dell D630 or D830 with the SSD, max out the memory, get the fastest CPU available, and get a new battery.

 

[csmaan12]

I would get the software on a Solid State drive, build a Dell D630 or D830 with the SSD, max out the memory, get the fastest CPU available, and get a new battery.

Maybe I can clone the drive that it comes with onto an SSD, I do have one spare I can mess with.

 

[tesla154]

It's worth keeping a backup iso of the software they give you in case something expires or gets corrupted. I wouldn't connect it to the internet either. Windows XP isn't secure anymore and other licenses could potentially expire

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Dave2302]

Your 2000 MY Car has ME2.0 which does not communicate with the likes of iCS and others, except via OBD, which of course doesn't go nearly well enough in depth ..........................

This is yet another reason to buy SDS, (and yeah I did read your comments in the OP)

HTH,

 

[Dave2302]

Should I maybe shoot for a C4 or just use the C3?

C4 Will work with W220 and up to at least 2016 Model years, C3 only goes up to around 2012 MY's IIRC

 

[Paul600600]

C4 Will work with W220 and up to at least 2016 Model years, C3 only goes up to around 2012 MY's IIRC

Get a C4 and you don't have to deal with WinXP and you can run latest software, for your pre 2002 models I would use a 2016 version.
If you go with c3 you have to use a Dell d630, XP and 2015 or older version.
I have 2 c3's both don't work reliable on older cars C4 works all the time.
I use a HP elite book 2760 instead of the dell.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[csmaan12]

Anyone got a good vendor on Alibaba for a C4? The one I linked for C3 has been offered to me for $210 + $30 shipping, I'd have to get the laptop separately of course and they offer SSD as well. I'm thinking of going for that unless anyone can suggest a good C4 source.

 

[Dave2302]

Buy C4 from Alibaba, what @Paul600600 says is absolutely spot on, he knows far more about these systems than I do, I just use them all day long.

Remember also what he said that 2016 is the best software as this W220 is running ME 2.0 ECU

 

[csmaan12]

Thank you guys I really appreciate the advice in getting my hands on one of these.

Does this look correct?

High Quality Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool Mb Star C4 Sd Connect With Hdd Software Mb Sd Star C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables - Buy Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool,Mercedes Star C4 Diagnostic Tool,C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables Product on Alibaba.com

High Quality Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool Mb Star C4 Sd Connect With Hdd Software Mb Sd Star C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables - Buy Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool,Mercedes Star C4 Diagnostic Tool,C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com

They keep saying cables, but show pictures of the tool as well so it's throwing me off. Looks like it comes with the HDD as well, but doesn't say which version of the software is included. I'm contacting the seller to confirm.

 

[Dave2302]

That is what you want, a C4 Mux with Cables, but you need 2016 s/w, so you may have to find the same without the HDD and get the HDD elsewhere

Plenty on there, that is where I got mine

 

[csmaan12]

That is what you want, a C4 Mux with Cables, but you need 2016 s/w, so you may have to find the same without the HDD and get the HDD elsewhere

Plenty on there, that is where I got mine

Thank you, I'm speaking with the seller on there now to potentially move forward with the sale and get the C4 Mux + cables. I've started a return for the iCS MB II as well, might as well get some money back if I'm going forward with this. Especially considering it can't read everything it advertises to.

 

[cowboyt]

I would get the software on a Solid State drive, build a Dell D630 or D830 with the SSD, max out the memory, get the fastest CPU available, and get a new battery.

It does work just fine from a traditional spindle-type hard disk drive, but SSD's are inexpensive enough now to where I'd go that route if I were building mine today.

Maybe I can clone the drive that it comes with onto an SSD, I do have one spare I can mess with.

Indeed, you can.

Your 2000 MY Car has ME2.0 which does not communicate with the likes of iCS and others, except via OBD, which of course doesn't go nearly well enough in depth ..........................

This is yet another reason to buy SDS, (and yeah I did read your comments in the OP)

HTH,

How true. SDS really is the way to go with these cars. Just from my own limited experience, OP could get information overload with the myriad reasons why.

Anyone got a good vendor on Alibaba for a C4? The one I linked for C3 has been offered to me for $210 + $30 shipping, I'd have to get the laptop separately of course and they offer SSD as well. I'm thinking of going for that unless anyone can suggest a good C4 source.

I've never used that particular AliBaba seller (Shenzhen YANTEK Electronic Technology Co. Ltd), but I do have experience with this one.

Shen Zhen OEM Scan Tool Co, Ltd.

569.0US $ |TOP Sale DOIP SD Connect C4 plus (for Ben z MB STAR) with Newest software Xentry V2020.12 Multi language for MB Star c4,SD C4|Car Diagnostic Cables & Connectors| - AliExpress

Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com

www.aliexpress.com

They, too, are on AliExpress.com, and that's where @ArcticDweller and I got ours. Good results over the last four years for me. Also, Shen Zhen OEM Scan Tool doesn't put the so-called "Chinese lock" on their hard disk drives, so you can clone it to an SSD, or just use the HDD image as a backup...just in case.

That is what you want, a C4 Mux with Cables, but you need 2016 s/w, so you may have to find the same without the HDD and get the HDD elsewhere

Plenty on there, that is where I got mine

Or he can go ahead and get the hard disk, clone the entire thing with something like GNU/Linux's "dd" tool, and copy it to his local hard disk drive, thus facilitating cloning to an SSD.

Note: I have the 7/2015 software, which also works very well.

 

[csmaan12]

Just a quick thing, I've never ordered from Alibaba before, is it normal for them to ask for a direct PayPal payment? I'll be doing goods and services obviously so there's still protection, just curious if it's normal.

They're offering me the C4+Cables for $380 shipped via DHL, in stock and ready to go. If I have your blessings, I'll pull the trigger.

High Quality Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool Mb Star C4 Sd Connect With Hdd Software Mb Sd Star C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables - Buy Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool,Mercedes Star C4 Diagnostic Tool,C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables Product on Alibaba.com

High Quality Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool Mb Star C4 Sd Connect With Hdd Software Mb Sd Star C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables - Buy Mercedes Star Diagnosis Tool,Mercedes Star C4 Diagnostic Tool,C4 Diagnostic Tool Cables Product on Alibaba.com

www.alibaba.com