MB SD C4 vs VXDIAG vs Openport for Xentry

 Which is better Mercedes Benz MB Star diagnostic device? VXDIAG, MB SD C4 or OpenPort2 VCI?

Openport 2.0:

The disadvantage of the connector is it falls of with constant use. We recommend openport with a gold connector.

There is a tutorial on how to solder it so that it is more stable. It is quite suitable for diagnostic, but risky for update modules for firmware.

How to Modify Tactrix Openport 2.0 Clone

It has small volume RAM, when coding some serious new module there maybe 51 encoding are written incorrectly. Because there is not enough operational memory in the original device (only 512 megabytes.).  What also you can say about it old vers. Openport cannot read well until 2005. We don’t recommend on old car at all.

There is no sense to connect modules ME28 E20 just does not see as well as SBC. Cars since 2005 are read without problems, all modules of W164, W221, does everything reads.
More about internet wanted to say guys are not afraid here is no internet all this is speculation.

 

Pros:

• Good reasonably priced option if you don’t need to do any module updates.
• Openport 2.0 is not limited on Can- Cars from 2006 and above!
• useful for ECUs with CAN capability.
• For normal troubleshooting and diagnosis, though, it rocks.

Cons:

• you won’t be able to access K-Line ECU’s that are widely used in old K-line models
• if you want to work with vediamo you can’t use vediamo 5 (4 can’t use smrd files) because vediamo 5 doesn’t support Passthru so your “stuck” with DTS Monaco
• You’d better replace R1 by 47k for better operation and to avoid overheating.
• You are risking of getting failed and then potentially bricking your ecu if need to do ECU SW updates.

 

Read more

Tactrix Openport 2.0 with Xentry Passthru Pros and Cons

 

VXDIAG VCX SE

Next we will take about vxdiag- a beautiful device well. We consider it the most versatile device for your money.
The truth has risen in price due to the increase cost.

When use this device, put in obd connector, connect the machine, computer and USB, and only then turn on the ignition in reverse order exactly the same turn off the ignition.
Pull out from the computer, remove the usb connector.  VXDIAG reads W223 well, read W213 pretty well.

The problematic pattern new xentry need to be latest drivers.

 

Pros:

• compatible with both Passthru (as j2534 passthru device) and XDOS openshell (as C6 VCI)
• The license, firmware can be updated in driver app, it is a lifetime license and its working with the new software
• VCX SE is more stable than Tactrix openport clone but it is acting the same way J2534 protocol.
• The main reason for buying vxdiag is that it has DoIP for new cars.
• vcx se connects via WiFi and it’s very convenient. wlan connection is stable at a distance of up to 2 m.
• there is already a Type C connector and it is held very tightly
• firmware updatable
• you can also use BMW and there are a lot of all sorts of programs that it supports
• as much as modules can be scanned
• Work best offline.

Cons: 

• It does not support older models with K-line protocol, it is for 2005 up Mercedes.
• Vediamo 5 needs special setting
• Have to update vci firmware and C6 driver when new versions come out
• not very good on Mercedes trucks

Read more:

How to Set up VXDIAG VCX SE Benz as Xentry Passthru Device?

 

MB SD Connect C4/C5 

Next device is C4. C4 also works well for older cars ME28 ME20. It is irreplaceable thing because it works great on cars before 2005.

But sometimes the new models does nto read very well, often does not seel all modules especially w223.
but this is enough for full car service and diagnostic function. It works great with DTS Monaco program which is wonderful works with sbf files with MRI.

 

Pros

• works vehicle both new and old
• The newer c4 muxes all typically have wifi.
• The mux itself has a DHCP server inside and leases an IP address to the laptop.
• You don’t have to install batteries for firmware update.
• New cooler for long operation

 

Cons:

• multiplexer and connector quality varies, some good, some poor

MB Star HHT Cannot Read EZL and DM Solution

 Here we share user working experience on older Mercedes with HHT-WIN software.

 

Here goes the story.

“I got the C3 and C4 from Aliexpress, both HHT-WIN has problems accessing EZL and DM modules.  I received my third multiplexer-MB SD C4 DoIP from obdii365.

 

3rd C4 & my 2015 Star diagnostic Software – Engine OFF
LH and GM communications works
EZL and DM communications does not work

3rd C4 & borrowed known-good 2018 Star diagnostic Software from nearby MB independent repair shop – Engine OFF
LH and GM communications works
EZL and DM communications does not work

3rd C4 & my 2015 Star diagnostic Software – Engine OFF
LH and GM communications works
EZL and DM communications does not work

 

Then I figure out the problem. This C4 multiplexer works.

I was super frustrated so I borrowed a known-good cable from JSP Porsche MB Independent Service.
When I used the good borrowed cable with the C4, all the car scanning functions work properly — even while the engine is running!
When I used the Apliexpress 38-pin cable, the EZ and DM scanning functions do not work.
Well I am relieved — now I just need to get a good functioning cable!!!

So in sum:

My first MUX – the C3, worked to scan the GM and the LH, but not the EZL and not the DM. I suspected it was the cable, but I just returned the whole thing.
My second MUX – the AliExpress C4, worked to scan GM, LH, EZL, and DM ….. but only when the engine was off / ignition was on. I suspect the cable was fine, but some weird voltage thing was going on inside the MUX that made it intolerant of the higher voltages with a running alternator that precluded it from scanning EZL/DM with the engine running.
My third MUX – the obdii365 C4, actually looks to be a quality unit (it is a bit more polished than the Ali C4) but the cable was defective…… which caused it to not be able to scan the EZL or the DM — ever. A full 22 of the 38 pins were not hooked up!!!!!

I was suggested to get older software than they sell (they sell as far back as 2018 software) because the earlier software works better with HHT-Win (I think.)

 

EZL Live Data While Engine Running Money Shot Below:

  

38-pin diagnostic connector pinout diagram that specifically talks about 124/129/140/170/202/208/210 models.

Aliexpress was not able to send me a fully pinned out cable. Their “manufacturer” doesn’t make a fully-pinned cable.

I took $40 and spent it on obdii365.com who claimed, when I contacted them, that their cable is fully pinned.

It is not that easy to find a 38-pin cable where all the pins are connected to the C4 connector.

I asked a bunch of ebay vendors about pinouts for their 38-pin cables. Many of them did not get back to me.

However, the vendor for these advertisements on ebay confirmed that NOT all 38 pins are hooked up, although it does look like pins 7 and 17 (EZL) are definitely hooked up.
It also looks like pins 18/19 are tied together, and I am not sure if the DM would work, let alone other special 129, 210, and 140 special functions past pin 20 which are NOT hooked up.

I tried the obdii365 38 pin cable with my C4. Guess what?

IT WORKED PERFECTLY. EZL and DM readings worked fine. I received the cable today and it works! DM, EZL, LH, GM … all accessible!

Then we switched back to my cable. Nope-a-roo! No EZL and no DM readings!

Also guess what? It appears his cable and my cable are visually different!!!!

Up: aliexpress 38-pin cable with only 16 pins attached

Down: fully pinned cable from obdii365

 

Tip: Do not buy the 38 pin cable from sellers on AliExpress either.
Their cable also does not have the required number of pins hooked up.

 

A couple of things about the C4 MUXES along the way if anyone choses to buy one. There seems to be a couple flavors of these that all look very similar.

• Try to get a newest designed c4. My first AE c4 mux was cheaper and had no wifi, and I think it was an older design. When I got it and connected it to the car, it would constantly flash messages about needing to insert rechargeable batteries to address some charging issue, and it didn’t sound so good even though conventional wisdom on benzworld and mhhauto was to just ignore the message. Also, my first AE mux had rust stains on the heat sink under the rubber protectors, misspelled labels, screws on the end panel (where the connectors are) that didn’t screw in, and uneven places on the heatsink that were shiny/dull/shiny/dull. I did not take out the circuit board to look at it, but all these things made me nervous so I sent it back. The newer c4 I got had none of these issues.

 

• The newer c4 muxes all typically have wifi. At first I thought wifi is just another thing to go wrong, but I quickly realized that it is quite useful. The mux uses wifi to connect to the SDS laptop on its own SSID. You can decide to not use wifi and then you connect the mux to your laptop with a long ass ethernet cable with funky rj45 connector, but what I realized is that it is really easy for the green cable get tangled up in the radiator fan!

 

• There are two wifi “models” of c4 muxes…regular wifi and I THINK (not certain）DOiP. The regular one is kind of a pain to set up. You have to first connect the mux to your laptop with the green cable, then set a static IP on the laptop for the wifi adapter, then go into a funky software program that sets up the mux, then manually set two SSIDS for the mux to broadcast … “Road24” and ”Workshop” ….. and then set static IPs for the mux to use when using those two SSIDs, the unplug then green cable and the hope the laptop connects to the mux and never touch that shit again. The newer ones, MB SD C4 PLUS DOIP, are much easier. Just connect the laptop to the wifi SSID the mux is broadcasting out of the box “XC4PLUS” and you are done. The mux itself has a DHCP server inside and leases an IP address to the laptop.

 

• If you are using this mainly for your w124 then 2015 Star diagnostic software and WinXP is good. It works well as long as it has HHT-WIN. You can just run DAS which brings up HHT-WIN or execute HHT-WIN directly. In my troubleshooting, I borrowed an SDS laptop from JSP MB that had 2018 software on it. It had HHT-WIN in it too with Win 7 but was significantly clunkier. I had to run XENTRY, which then brought up DAS, which then decided to (emulate?) HHT-WIN in a goofy vertically stretched window. It worked, but it felt like there was more to go wrong.

http://blog.obdii365.com/2023/02/27/choose-a-fully-pinned-38-pin-cable-for-mb-sd-c4/

How to Activate Benz w204 VGS3 on Mercedes W211?

 Tutorial: how to replace the transmission gearbox VGS3 TCU of a Mercedes Benz W204 by the one from a W211.

 

Tools used:

CGDI Prog MB or VVDI MB

FVDI/AVDI/SVCI 2020

MB Star diagnostic MB SD C4/C5

 

Main procedure:

 

Procedures:

Step 1. Renew VGS3

Connect VGS module with CGDI MB.

Read this used VGS3, which comes from a Benz W204.

Get Erase Password, then erase it.

Read again to make sure it is not personalized and not activated.

 

Step 2. Flash VGS3

Connect FVDI2014/AVDI/SVCI 2020 to module, run software

Select

E-class / CLK>>W211 (As of 06/2006)>>Gasoline

Go to “Electronic Transmission Control”.

Identification. Same part number in CG MB.

Click “MAKE VIRGIN” to load CFF file.

When we get VIN later, we can write VIN on “Adaptation”.

Then it will become a real module of W211 E-class.

 

Step 3. Coding VGS3

Connect SD C4 to module, and open DAS.

Go to “Control Unit Version” menu, here coding is NO Value.

Development data>>Control unit adaptation>> Control unit adaptation (Variant Coding)>>SCN Variantencoding VGS 73

Select “YE9M” and confirm.

Back to “Control Unit Version” menu,

Select

Actual Values>>Drive authorization

All protection is No.

Step 4. Activate

Transmission installed in the vehicle, no feel on gear now.

On DAS, go to

Control units>>Drive>>Transmission>>Actual Values>>Drive authorization

All 4 protections are No, since we use Abrites and CGDI MB.

Back to “Transmission” menu.

Switch up the car again.

Go to

Control unit adaptations>>Detach the transport protection of control module ETC, personalize or activate the control module

Activate ETC.

Switch off the car.

Check Actual Values again.

All Yes.

Credits to hesham essam.

http://blog.obdii365.com/2023/02/26/replace-mercedes-w204-vgs3-by-one-from-w211/

How to Change Vmax in Mercedes ME 9.7?

 Question:

I finally ordered and received a MB SD C4 DoIP Multiplexer from China (through obdii365.com) and after over a 2 weeks, I managed to connect my SL to a Xentry version from 2019.
So far so good, and it took quite a while to get to that point with multiple installations, iterations and errors/problems etc..

What about the speed limiter? I saw a video on Youtube and it looked pretty easy to alter the Vmax from 250km/h to 280km/h. Again, is that possible with a Chinese C4 and Xentry that is not connected to Mercedes?

Answer:

You can change individual settings under "adaptations". You can do firmware loading or SCN (i.e. VIN encryption) coding without a live/licensed version of MB Star. But there are many things you can do in the adaptations under "Development Data". For example, you can set VMAX there to increase (but not remove) the speed limiter.

The Chinese clone MB SD C4 is capable of doing firmware/SCN coding, but because you don’t have a valid login for MBZ’s online servers, you can’t do that. There are many modules in the car that don’t need firmware or SCN code installed. For example, let’s say you blow a SAM. You can replace it with a new or used one, then Star diagnostic system can set the “adaptations” specific to your car. Also, with Developer Mode enabled (via the license key), you can change most of the adaptations that are contained within the firmware. Vmax is one of them.

The good news is that most Chinese clone SDS system have “developer mode” enabled. This is something licensed shops do not have. It’s meant only for part developers. With this, you can access almost all the adaptations that get set with SCN coding, but with the need to be “live”. the Vmax setting in the ECU is a development mode adaptation.

Check if Developer Mode is enabled on your software, if yes, you can increase speed limit but NOT remove it.

Here’s how to change Vmax in ME 9.7 (ECU used by M272/M263 engines):

How to Configure MB SD C4 DAS on VMWare?

 If you are using DAS the configuration file must be set for C3 or MB SD Connect C4.

My cal.ini file was in C directory, look at where the DAS icon on desktop is pointing. It took me a long time to figure this out. Also for reasons I don't know my system will only connect with laptop in airplane mode. I use C4 wired connection.

DAS on VMWare

1. Find out F: ProgrammeDASbin folder in F: / and locate Cal.ini file, follow below steps

PartD (C3) Mux:
[SERVER]
REPORT = 0
PLATFORM = PART_D2
SD connect (C4) Mux:
[SERVER]
REPORT = 0
PLATFORM = PART_T (or optional _W for Wi-Fi ONLY communication)