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Kingsoverqueens

Want to borrow - auto scan tool

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Do you need a generic OBD-II tool (i.e. do you have OBD diagnostics port on your car) or do you need a specialized tool that can read airbag / more advanced brand-specific codes?

If the former, I would suggest you to just order a simple ELM327 Bluetooth OBDII dongle and install Torque app from Google Play to any of your Android devices - you'll be able to see some codes and erase them from memory (e.g. if you need to "shut off" check engine light before showing a car to a prospective buyer, LOL).

Mind that this tool will definitely NOT see any advanced brand-specific codes / airbag codes, but at the same time it will give you a plenty information about the vehicle (its dashboard features are fantastic!)

 

I have such dongles in both of my cars. Actually I bought one branded BAFX for $20+ and one cheap no-name one for $5 or so shipped from China. Despite warnings of BAFX on their product page, those 2 dongles work in exactly the same manner (but maybe I was just lucky).

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Auto Zone has a "loan a tool" program but in looking at what's available on the website, it seems to be "hard tools" only and no electronic or electrical tools.

 

Maybe your local independent will allow you to borrow one?

They do have a excellent scanner in their loan program but some Benz codes are proprietory so it will throw up a "generic" code,,,,, It will put you in the correct neighborhood but not the exact front door.Their scanner can also clear codes.

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Thanks to all who offered up advice and assistance.  Blake was kind enough to loan me his tool and the test was successful.  Car is throwing a P0410 code, which has to do with the secondary air system...or something.  From what I gather its a very problematic problem to fix, especially for a guy like me who abhors working on cars.  Ugh.

 

Anyone wanna buy a 96 Mercedes S420?

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There is a fuse and relay that drives the air pump located at the top of the engine. I'd check them out before investing in a new  air pump.  The pump is expensive.  Found the relay bad on a friend's Benz last fall.  See benzworld.org for details.

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+1 to T Bill. Check all the fuses, relays and condition of wiring before making any serious commitments and/or investments.

Not once and not twice I made mistakes of replacing something (even simple things like central lock activators) only to realize it was a rusted wire / bad fuse I didn't even know about.

And my most recent example - I got my car from an auction for very cheap, partially because the guy at the yard told all customers it had some issues with airbags (airbag light was always on). And yes, again, it was just a bad fuse, LOL :-)

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Thanks guys.

 

I'm on that benzworld forum and another similar benz forum.  From what I can gather this code can be throw by a multitude of malady's, and diagnosing them can be problematic.  Could be the pump, could be a fuse.  Could be a vacuum leak, could be a dirty flux capacitor...

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