OBD Scanner

[Cogcog]

Twice of late my Mercedes C class has thrown a fault. The result was a wait to get it into the dealer or a local Merc specialist when the cause of the fault was obvious, was repaired (e.g. a connector had come loose on passenger the air bag), but the fault light persisted.

Tempted to get an OBD scanner to clear any future lights/messages. Is it that simple or do dangers await, and any advice on which scanner to buy (e.g. Bluetooth or own screen)?

[GWC]

A normal OBD scanner wont clear airbag lights, I bought an iCarsoft MB for around £100 and it has paid for itself several times over, gives proper diagnostic rather than just a code.

[Haltamer]

I've got an Autel AP200 - Came with one marque license lifetime included, but you have to pay a yearly £20 for other marques (I think they're all subscription based now?)

But it'll read and clear any modules, ABS / VSA, SRS, etc.

Can also carry out some service functions, like EPB maintainence mode.

[Cogcog]

Haltamer said:

I've got an Autel AP200 - Came with one marque license lifetime included, but you have to pay a yearly £20 for other marques (I think they're all subscription based now?)

But it'll read and clear any modules, ABS / VSA, SRS, etc.

Can also carry out some service functions, like EPB maintainence mode.

Is that the bluetooth one?

[x5tuu]

I use Carista and a Wifi OBD2 dongle and it works great for customisation and clearing issues like this.

It's a wifi dongle as I use iPhones ... android users need to use a bluetooth version I believe.

[Cogcog]

GWC said:

A normal OBD scanner wont clear airbag lights, I bought an iCarsoft MB for around £100 and it has paid for itself several times over, gives proper diagnostic rather than just a code.

Ordered the iCarsoft MB V1.0 - Mercedes FULL System Diagnostic from the UK agent as the reviews suggest people have been able to clear airbag issues. It sounds like there are some fakes out there.

I think not being able to do ypur opwn work is a sign of the future, especially seeing the notice that; "Introduction of OTA (Over the Air Diagnostics) for newer vehicles means only the Main Dealer can carry out these functions over the Cloud."

[GWC]

That's the one I have, it does airbag diagnostic and light reset.

[AndySheff]

Sounds like a reasonable Merc OBD scanner.
Remember to delete error codes first, then see if they come back. When they come back, then you've a problem to fix.
Some will take a while to come back, like for eg, Co2 sensors. Others like airbag problems will/usually come back straight away.

[Cogcog]

My iCarsoft diagnostic MB V1.0 tool arrived.

Really easy to use. Diagnosed a bad ground on the passenger seat squib. Cleared it and ran the scan again, all clear. Hoping now that it was just my wife jumping into the passenger seat at speed.

All good at present!