W202 OBD II code reader

[johna]

Hi all.

I've done a search of this forum and couldn't find a conclusive answer for Australian models.

I have a 2000 model C200T (W202).

Will one of the cheap eBay OBD2 code readers work on this model? Does it have the standard port I do I need an adaptor of some sort? And where is the port?

If these code readers don't work, does the LED method I have read about work on Australian models?

Thank you.

[Ivanerrol]

No OBD II on Australian cars until the W203 and W211.

Cheap OBD scanners will not work at all.

Post 1997 Oz Benz cars used OBD and a half. For full diagnosis you need Star or equivalent iCarsoft knockoff.

If you want to cancel fault codes such as SRS or reset limp home mode a Independent specialist may have something.

There are some generic sub $1,000.00 units which will read codes however as I have seen these codes need a Mercedes expert to diagnose them accurately.
I know of a man with a a '98 C200 who spent a small fortune taking his car to a "European car Specialist" who misdiagnosed code issues with a generic scanner.

LED is very limited.
There's a 32 port round connector under the bonnet.

[johna]

Thank you very much for the information. It's good to have a definitive answer.

[SLKR170]

I have a 1995 W202 C220 petrol and a 1997 R170 SLK230 is that LED flasher reader my only option to read codes? I had the MB dealer out ...and he couldn't get the codes either. (I don't think this young bloke had ever seen a Mercedes older than 2010 so my W202 really had him stumped)

I have since found that the OBD fuse was blown. It is fuse number 3 from memory. I replaced that and it reads now, Also I replaced the overvoltage protection (OVP) relay and car starts up like a dream, engine runs great and no more "red/green/red/green" warning flashes on the mirror! (I thought that was an immobiliser fault - but it wasn't!) It was the OVP relay.

[ozebob17]

I own a W202 C240 Ele which seems to have been only available in Australia, are these readers related to year model as the tech changes with every new model. I notice my car has many parts found in later models, maybe a reader for a larger engine or even a W203? I will look at eBay and Aliex see what I may find

[CraigB]

Welcome Ozebob. I see your new - you will have noticed delay in your posts which is part of a 5 posts needing approval, which just gives us a chance to weed out scammers. Two more posts and they will be immediate.

Being new I just want to refer you to Ivanerrol comments. Especially with 'later' cars like yours ( my knowledge ends with W124), he is the one resource that I really trust and has amazing knowledge. Also importance of independent specialists that really know their stuff - eg. there is one in Adelaide I really trust who worked at the dealer right through this era and has now gone out on his own. As an example the person who got a current dealer mechanic out and he had no idea what he was dealing with.

[Honey500]

So Craig who do you recommend in Adelaide??

[CraigB]

I guess it can depend on the model, but Erik at Silver Star is who I am referring to. There are others with lots of knowledge, but the extra bit I like about him is that through all these periods, I guess from the early 80's, he has seen all the problems that came through the dealer when these cars were new and he will often say "yes there was a problem..." with this or that. So doesn't mean there aren't other good independents. A bonus too that he is a nice guy and will call a spade a spade... eg. "sorry, I won't work on that car because it just doesn't make sense and you are much better off just getting another one" , when say he could just keep taking money for doing individual jobs. He has the big picture and empathy for the owner and their situation.

[Honey500]

Always good to know if your wasting your money!

[Bartman4800]

I guess it can depend on the model, but Erik at Silver Star is who I am referring to. There are others with lots of knowledge, but the extra bit I like about him is that through all these periods, I guess from the early 80's, he has seen all the problems that came through the dealer when these cars were new and he will often say "yes there was a problem..." with this or that. So doesn't mean there aren't other good independents. A bonus too that he is a nice guy and will call a spade a spade... eg. "sorry, I won't work on that car because it just doesn't make sense and you are much better off just getting another one" , when say he could just keep taking money for doing individual jobs. He has the big picture and empathy for the owner and their situation.

Funny that...
He must have better communication skills than me, because when I tell that to my neighbour with his "98 hilux that is only on the road because WA does not have an MOT, then he stops talking to me for a week...

[tsharkey]

A bonus too that he is a nice guy and will call a spade a spade... eg. "sorry, I won't work on that car because it just doesn't make sense and you are much better off just getting another one" , when say he could just keep taking money for doing individual jobs. He has the big picture and empathy for the owner and their situation.

I knew my W115 coupe was a lost cause when Peter Lennox said he never wanted to see it again and if I was to persist with it, I'd be better off standing in the middle of the freeway and throwing $50 notes into the wind ....

[Barbalatte]

Interesting topic. I drive the W205 C63S 2019. I also drive an Audi RS3 and I use a Rosstec dongle for that. Pretty easy to use. What are people using these days? What do they cost?