2007 Sprinter Diagnosis System

[fordfool]

What kind and where do you find either a hand held or software for a laptop with connectors to have the best kind of diagnosis hardware to carry on board, prepared to repair your Sprinter as needed along the way? I have had my Sprinter in the Dealer here in Grand Rapids for over a month, with no reasonable answer to the question. Chryslers answer is, put an engine in it. Wrong answer, it runs too good. I have decided, if I am able, to locate and purchase the necessary hardware to find and fix the problems as I go. Can you help me find the right stuff?
There is Carsoft, $845.00 delivered, http://www.carsoftsales.com/sprinter/index2.htm

http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/Auto-Enginuity-PC-Based-Diagnostic-Tools.html with
http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/Mercedes-1998-2010-Enhanced-Interface-Software-for-use-with-Auto-Enginuity-Scan-Tool-Requires-ST06.html


http://www.autodiagnostickit.com/products_1.asp?menuid=15&id=357

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MB-Star-Diagnostic-Scanner-laptop-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem25635b5af4QQitemZ16058 0721396QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

http://www.auto-repair-manuals.com/MD801-Autel-MaxiDiag-801-Pro-Scan-Tool.html

All but the last one listed are laptop based. So by the time you buy a laptop, there software, learn how to run it etc, you will have 11-1500.00 invested (depends on laptop configuration).
The last item is a hand held unit for approx. $490.00, but you and I will not know if it covers the Sprinter until we try it. Is it worth the gamble?

Also available from China are:

http://www.autodiagnostickit.com/products_1.asp?menuid=15&id=357

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MB-MERCEDES-STAR-C4-DIAGNOSIS-SCANNER-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2310822727QQitemZ15060 0820519QQptZCarQ5fAudioQ5fVideo

The question is, do you trust the Chinese people? Is this a bastard copy (no updates avail.), or is it a genuine unit? Is it worth the risk?


Sure would like some help here. Thanks, Fordfool

[flman]

I have Carsoft, Jon Caples and I have not been able to get it linked to our NCV3s. So unless Carsoft can get it to work, it will be useless for any engine diagnostics. Wait for Jon to chime in, he has OBD equipment that works on his NCV3 van.

[fordfool]

I have Carsoft, Jon Caples and I have not been able to get it linked to our NCV3s. So unless Carsoft can get it to work, it will be useless for any engine diagnostics. Wait for Jon to chime in, he has OBD equipment that works on his NCV3 van.

Bob,

I just noticed, you are one of the few that realize the spelling of our country has changed. I am impressed with that too.

Rich

[jdcaples]

Beyond Carsoft, I have no practical experience with any of the tools you cited in the first posting of this thread.


This is all I have; nothing's changed, as far as I know, since I posted this:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=120056&postcount=4

There are rumblings that other scan tools work. This was the most interesting:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14816

as of late, but no NCV3 owner has managed to make it over there to find out first hand at this writing. I just noticed that "auto-repair-manuals.com" like you posted mentioned autoenginuity....

To answer your other questions:

Can we help you find the right stuff? Yes.

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=120056&postcount=4

For the best service info available: www.sprintertekinfo.com - lots of stuff for 2002-current Sprinters. Requires a computer.

Gamble: No, it's not worth the gamble. I told flman not to buy carsoft until I could confirm or deny that it works with my 2007 Sprinter. He and I gambled. He and I lost. Don't gamble.

No, don't trust cheap stuff from China.


Now I'm going to answer the spirit of your posting:

Can you get a hand-held tool for a few hundred dollars that just tells you what's wrong with your 2007 Sprinter?


I've spend well-over 640 hours reaching scan tools for my Sprinter. So far, no person or business has brought to market anything that is both cost effective and comprehensive.

The best tool you can own - additionally, the absolute least cost effective - is Mercedes-Benz Star Diagnosis System, purchased from MB.

See www.startekinfo.com for purchase info.

Everything else is a compromise.

The sweet spot compromise - for 2007-2009 Sprinters - is WiTECH. http://portal.dcctools.com/wiTecheCom/jsp/login/signIn.jsp

I wish someone would make a comprehensive write-up on the AutoEnginuity product's working with a 2007-2009 US Sprinter.

-Jon



PS: none of these tools, a laptop or a Sprinter for that matter, are "investments." Advertising agents and their "messaging," their "brochures," etc have conditioned us to spend money on objects and call the spending "an investment."

This is wrong.

These tools give us a better shot at fending off entropy, but neither the van or the tool will likely be sold for more than we paid for it (the definition of "investment.") It might pay us back in time, or in the joy of avoiding a dealership, keep us from buying a new van sooner than we have to, but it's BS to call such expenditures an "investment." This is all about keeping what we have useful for as long as possible.

[flman]

Beyond Carsoft, I have no practical experience with any of the tools you cited in the first posting of this thread.


This is all I have; nothing's changed, as far as I know, since I posted this:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=120056&postcount=4


-

So Jon, in that post you said Carsoft 4 and 5 worked on your NCV3 and the later versions did not? Did you ever let Dirk know of this? Maybe I should do a downgrade?

[jdcaples]

So Jon, in that post you said Carsoft 4 and 5 worked on your NCV3 and the later versions did not? Did you ever let Dirk know of this?

I'm pretty sure I mentioned it to him.

I haven't tried to run the earlier versions since the WiBU key was updated for version 8.

-Jon

[flman]

Bob,

I just noticed, you are one of the few that realize the spelling of our country has changed. I am impressed with that too.

Rich

OK that is fine, but you will go further if you try and keep things on topic. :hugs:

[calbiker]

The Bosch KTS 200 is another scanner you can add to the list. I borrowed this scanner to bleed my T1N brakes. This tool is meant for repair garages and requires a software license. Perhaps there's a work-around for private parties? Cost could be prohibitive. A collective group could reduce cost.

Cal

[jdcaples]

The Bosch KTS 200 is another scanner you can add to the list. I borrowed this scanner to bleed my T1N brakes. This tool is meant for repair garages and requires a software license. Perhaps there's a work-around for private parties? Cost could be prohibitive. A collective group could reduce cost.

Cal

Its' good to have a T1N data point, but 2007+ Sprinters are pretty different from T1Ns.

Case in point: Carsoft's product includes a menu option for T1N brake bleeds, but not NCV3s.

If the Bosch KTS 200 can do the same on NCV3s, I'm sure people would be all over it, if it's less than the cost of WiTECH or (for 2010 and higher) MB SDS (and MB SDS is not hard to beat when it comes to price; it's about the same as a C-class sedan, last I checked).


-Jon

PS: Someone with 2010 skin in the game should call Bosch about it:

US & Canada Call: (800) 321-4889 ext. 4

[flman]

I'm pretty sure I mentioned it to him.

I haven't tried to run the earlier versions since the WiBU key was updated for version 8.

-Jon

Maybe I will have to ask Mr. Dirk about this?

[jdcaples]

Maybe I will have to ask Mr. Dirk about this?

Um, sure. I'll back you.

Playing phone tag with Dirk's pretty low on my priority list right now.

-Jon

[flman]

Um, sure. I'll back you.

Playing phone tag with Dirk's pretty low on my priority list right now.

-Jon

Yeah, it is quite a game, I found he gets back to my pretty quick on the East Coast, as long as I do a call back button first thing in the AM.

Post it note on my desk. Call Dirk

[fordfool]

Beyond Carsoft, I have no practical experience with any of the tools you cited in the first posting of this thread.


This is all I have; nothing's changed, as far as I know, since I posted this:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=120056&postcount=4

There are rumblings that other scan tools work. This was the most interesting:

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14816

as of late, but no NCV3 owner has managed to make it over there to find out first hand at this writing. I just noticed that "auto-repair-manuals.com" like you posted mentioned autoenginuity....

To answer your other questions:

Can we help you find the right stuff? Yes.

http://sprinter-source.com/forum/showpost.php?p=120056&postcount=4

For the best service info available: www.sprintertekinfo.com - lots of stuff for 2002-current Sprinters. Requires a computer.

Gamble: No, it's not worth the gamble. I told flman not to buy carsoft until I could confirm or deny that it works with my 2007 Sprinter. He and I gambled. He and I lost. Don't gamble.

No, don't trust cheap stuff from China.


Now I'm going to answer the spirit of your posting:

Can you get a hand-held tool for a few hundred dollars that just tells you what's wrong with your 2007 Sprinter?


I've spend well-over 640 hours reaching scan tools for my Sprinter. So far, no person or business has brought to market anything that is both cost effective and comprehensive.

The best tool you can own - additionally, the absolute least cost effective - is Mercedes-Benz Star Diagnosis System, purchased from MB.

See www.startekinfo.com for purchase info.

Everything else is a compromise.

The sweet spot compromise - for 2007-2009 Sprinters - is WiTECH. http://portal.dcctools.com/wiTecheCom/jsp/login/signIn.jsp

I wish someone would make a comprehensive write-up on the AutoEnginuity product's working with a 2007-2009 US Sprinter.

-Jon



PS: none of these tools, a laptop or a Sprinter for that matter, are "investments." Advertising agents and their "messaging," their "brochures," etc have conditioned us to spend money on objects and call the spending "an investment."

This is wrong.

These tools give us a better shot at fending off entropy, but neither the van or the tool will likely be sold for more than we paid for it (the definition of "investment.") It might pay us back in time, or in the joy of avoiding a dealership, keep us from buying a new van sooner than we have to, but it's BS to call such expenditures an "investment." This is all about keeping what we have useful for as long as possible.



Thanks a lot for the additional info Jon. I understand what you mean about investment in a van or tools. But with the correct tool it can save you money not only on repairs by doing some yourself, but also if a dealer is needed, it should keep the dealer from raking you over the hot coals for the repair. That is what I meant, as investment for tools. I, like so many others are learning as we go with these vehicles and to have some help not only to understand more of what is going on, but maybe to be more in control of what happens when something goes wrong. Thus, giving you a return on your investment, if no more than some satisfaction. In time it should save you some money for repairs on the road especially. I know what the word "maintenance" means. It means just that, their is no free ride. The cost of doing business. But repairs are caused by either missed or overlooked items, or in the case of a vehicle with so much going on EGR system and computers, all the rest of the electronics and sensors on these vehicles it is insane to even consider any part of it maintenance. The sensors and electronics, to me are to be repaired as needed about the same with the EGR system. But which pieces do you carry with you, because of dealers not stocking the item(s). I am a little over whelmed by all the so called new fangled stuff. Used to be EGR systems were on gasoline powered cars, NOT diesel powered. I am from the old school, but slowly trying to work my way into the new stuff. I do appreciate all the info and help, even though I don't fully understand how we got to this point with emissions anyway.

Thanks, Rich

[jdcaples]

But which pieces do you carry with you, because of dealers not stocking the item(s).

Thanks, Rich

No worries, Rich. Sprinters are advanced technology and they require everyone to up their game. It's disturbing how little of what we knew in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 2000s applies to our Sprinters.

I carry a spare EGR valve I purchased from a local, former Sprinter owner. If I go on a trip, I carry my laptop and the Dodge dealership scan tool, StarMOBILE with me. Slight detour: StarMOBILE is the tool Dodge and Freightliner dealerships used in 2007 to work on Sprinters (among other vehicles). Now Chrysler has switched to WiTECH, which works on our 2007-2009 Sprinters. MB SDS works on every year of Sprinter.

Back to the topic of sensors: Dick (autostaretx), has replaced one of sensors so regularly on his 2005 T1N (air intake temp, if I recall correctly) he carries a spare. I'm not aware of "chronic" sensor failure on our 2007+ USA/Canadian Sprinters.

You may purchase all the sensors (mass air flow, ambient air, air intake, MAP (manifold absolute pressure sensor) from www.europarts-sd.com for less than the dealership price (Dodge or MB) and Steve both knows Sprinters of all years really well and he stands by his word.

Unless you're often in the middle of nowhere, I'm not sure carrying spare parts is worth it. You'd also need to keep the remove/replace instructions handy (how easy is it to lose printed material?) as well as all the tools you'd need for the swap (torque wrench, ratchets (1/4", maybe 3/8" or 1/2") driver bits (esp torx bits), pry tools, gaskets, sand paper and other "clean up the mating surface" supplies, spare antifreeze (for EGR replacement), other fluids and the list goes on. Maybe that's ok for you; probably not the best plan for everyone, though.

All the best to ya and please keep posting!

-Jon

[hayduke]

Hm,seems like towing insurance is the only answer.

Would it be theoretically possible to remove all this failure -prone electronics and smog gizmos and have a vehicle that actually ran for 300,000 miles without problems as the original 5 cylinder diesel Mercedes vans did 25 years ago?