smiller wrote:
"The MD802 reads and clears codes only, if you want to be able to issue commands (potentially dangerous if you don't know what you're doing) then the prices spiral up (way up) from there."
It seems many folks think that having a powerful Diagnostic tool (similar to the Factory Mercedes Benz Star Diagnosis System) would give them the ability to make changes
to the factory engineered programming for Sprinter Systems.
As smiller suggests, having the ability to reprogram Sprinter systems is potentially very dangerous and would introduce the possibility of turning your Sprinter or Sprinter based
RV into a large metal brick (or Dennis's choice....a lawn ornament).
The MB SDS used to reprogram/(add/delete) features/options in Sprinters at authorized MB dealers has the software broken up into several sections.
Level 1 is the baseline MB SDS diagnostics (used to test/diagnose the OEM installed programming) to find faults/issues and leads to a list of know codes and sub codes as remedies to common problems that afflict Sprinters.
This is the proverbial MB codes list which lists the faults, usually with two or more sub codes that show if the measured parameter is:
1/ Too high and above the normal tolerance for this parameter/value.
2/ Too low and below the normal tolerance for this parameter/value.
3/ Implausible or missing....the data returned makes no sense or there is no data.
There are separate codes for each cylinder.....each injector....each glow plug.
This is all basic diagnostic testing, and while it may lead to a specific component in a specific cylinder, changing
that component does not always fix the problem.
The fact that the MB SDS diagnostics does not always lead directly to the real problem is pretty clear by the number
of times Sprinters are repaired at authorized dealers but the parts that are replaced either don't completely remedy the
problem, or the problem returns after a few miles.
Level 2 is the Xentry....I'm not IT (computer code) savy enough to tell you exactly what can be done with Xentry.
Perhaps johnschmit /GDE/one of our MB dealer technicians can elaborate on how the Level 2 Xentry works and what it's used for.
Then there is another level that is particularly dangerous in the wrong hands.
Level 3 is Vediamo 5.00.5 which has the ability to change data coding.
I may have level 2 (Xentry) and Level 3 (Vediamo reversed (I apologize in advance for my limited understanding of automotive
software) and again perhaps one of the software and coding experts in our community can provide a better description of the
functions of the 3 levels of programming available in the MB SDS factory systems and the MB SDS clone systems available from
several sources in China.
Bottom line here is that if you do not understand the intricacies of high level automotive systems control coding, having an
advanced system with the ability to go in and make changes has the potential to alter your Sprinter's control systems to the '
extent that your Sprinter is no longer functional.
All the time we see that folks want to "clear the codes", and want an OBDII diagnostic system with the ability to "clear the
code (s).
Unfortunately, if the "code (s)" have not brought your Sprinter to a complete stop, they are there for a reason, to tell you that
something is significantly wrong and that the built in "safeguards" (for you, your passengers, and your Sprinter) have been deployed.
Erasing/clearing the code (s) does nothing to correct the issue (s) that the code (s) (DTC (s) are indicating.
Ignoring or clearing them puts you, your passengers, and your Sprinter at risk.
Performance monitoring devices, like the Scan Gauge II/ Ultra Gauge EM/Bluetooth devices for your tablet or cell phone may have some ability to erase/clear
some DTC (s) but doing so can actually prevent the higher level systems from finding the real issue as the code (s) have been erased, unless the code was stored in the ECM memory.
Again, there are experts in Sprinter control systems in our community and they are encouraged to chime in here with better descriptions/suggestions/tips on
what OBDII devices are safe, and which higher level OBDII connected devices pose significant risks in un-informed hands without a clear understanding of
automotive computer based control systems and their associated diagnostics.
Hope this helps,
Roger