Sprinter Diagnostic

[aileron]

Do you have a 2006 or older Sprinter?

I like gadgets, so I bought a DAD (Dr. A Diagnostician). For those of you that don't know, DAD is a computer software with a cable that connects to the Sprinter's computer and can read and erase codes, and do other cool stuff. Read more about it here.

I always have it with me on the road, so if you see me in a Flying J or Wal Mart parking lot, knock on my door. I am a white FedEx Custom Critical Sprinter, unit# B4579.

I will read your Sprinter's codes for free, then we can sit and talk about out Sprinters, or anything else for that matter.




Disclaimer: I am just a lowly hobbyist when it comes to these machines, so I don't have any Mercedes Benz training. As a result, I WILL NOT FIX your van. I can only read the codes (dealer charges you $90 for it), and then you can contact Dr. A (in the link above) and find out what you can do about those codes.

 

[The Enemy]

Thanks for the offer. I want to see how well this system works before I go out and order one.

 

[greg334]

It's worth the money, it is also very cheap.

aileron, can you think of any reason why anyone wouldn't have one?

 

[danthewolf00]

i can the unit doesn't work on 07 and newer!

 

[aileron]

Thanks for the offer. I want to see how well this system works before I go out and order one.

It works pretty good. One thing I dont like about it is that it has a serial connection to the computer instead of a USB. As you know, laptops nowadays don't come with serial ports any more.

I use it with a USB to serial adapter and it works pretty good, but some people have reported having trouble communicating, or being really finicky, like this minute works fine, but the next it doesnt. So, your best bet would be to find an old laptop that has a serial port built in.

 

[aileron]

It's worth the money, it is also very cheap.

aileron, can you think of any reason why anyone wouldn't have one?

Yeah, compare it to a $3000 DRBIII that the dealers use, this is a steal.

Can't think of one. If it saves you from going to the dealer 3 times, it paid for itself already.

 

[aileron]

i can the unit doesn't work on 07 and newer!

As of now it does not work on NCV3 (2007 and up) sprinters. It might in the future, but I won't hold my breath.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I go to Auto Zone for anytime I want my codes read....I write down the codes listed...and call my main man for a translation...all free....

Black electrical tape shuts the light off
till it either goes out or I get to my tech and he puts it out for free....

 

[aileron]

I go to Auto Zone for anytime I want my codes read....I write down the codes listed...and call my main man for a translation...all free....

Black electrical tape shuts the light off
till it either goes out or I get to my tech and he puts it out for free....

Regular OBDII scanners are not reliable on a sprinter. On top of that, Sprinters have codes that don't turn on the check engine light. Plus, DAD is not only a code reader, it does so much more than that. Read the post on the Sprinter Source for more info.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

well one day we'll meet and talk sprinter talk..

BTW just turned 504K tonight...

 

[moose]

BTW just turned 504K tonight...

That's 47.3 mil a post ...

 

[OntarioVanMan]

That's 47.3 mil a post ...

Actually..that is 43.3 posts PER MILE!

That sounds yakkity..

 

[Turtle]

I will read your Sprinter's codes for free, then we can sit and talk about out Sprinters, or anything else for that matter.

That's how it starts... you get all friendly with someone, give them that first taste for free, hey, you're their friend. Then they want more, now they've got to pay, and pay they will. Soon you own them, their life is in shambles, they cannot function without you, they live to get that next fix of displayed code. Next thing you know society is in shambles, dogs and cats are living together, carriers will be doing things in the best interest of drivers, the world as we know it will be over.

Data timing is critical on the DAD for many functions, and the USB-serial conversion messes with that timing because the USB port is emulating a serial port. If you have problems with the timing, an ExpressCard or PCMCIA card serial adapter is the remedy, since there is no emulation or conversion necessary. A serial port adapter for one of these cards is no different than a built-in actual serial port, since the serial BUS and CPU deal with them the same way.