Thread: MB hardware on other brand's software [Diagnostics]

Hi, all

Anyone here knows if wee can use the MB mux (D4) with say, BMW software?

Thanks

Originally Posted by jobela

Hi, all

Anyone here knows if wee can use the MB mux (D4) with say, BMW software?

Thanks

Hi, no you can't - it is completely Mercedes 'star diagnosis' specific.

However, BMW "online" software uses the 'Passthru' standard (also known as SAE J2534-1 ), so a number of people (including Actia who make the D4) sell relatively cost-effective MUXes that work with BMW software. I have one of these: Welcome at www.passthuxs.com by I+ME ACTIA GmbH (c) 2003 - FULLY COMPLIANT WITH J2534

Google J2534-1 for other makers of muxes !

Cheers
Richard

Thanks!

Originally Posted by richard

Hi, no you can't - it is completely Mercedes 'star diagnosis' specific.

However, BMW "online" software uses the 'Passthru' standard (also known as SAE J2534-1 ), so a number of people (including Actia who make the D4) sell relatively cost-effective MUXes that work with BMW software. I have one of these: Welcome at www.passthuxs.com by I+ME ACTIA GmbH (c) 2003 - FULLY COMPLIANT WITH J2534

Google J2534-1 for other makers of muxes !

Cheers
Richard

The Mercedes ACTIA mux will work with all Pass-thru software including with BMW, however, the firmware download does not exist in the BMW software. At the start of each diagnostic connection the software must identify the multiplexer and configure itself for communication. So long as the software has a boot code for TYPE_D equipment then it will work normally.

The ACTIA multiplexer can also operate with Mistubishi and VW systems including a number of powerplant applications. There are several variants of the Industrial and Military systems which are Mercedes and the same applies to Mercedes powered buses.

The only reason why a Mercedes ACTIA Multiplexer would not work is
a) cabling
b) software handshaking to start the multiplexer

If you could "warm start" a multiplexer you could in theory make it read out the error codes.

However, the OPS system in the BMW uses a fibre optic system (Diagnostic over MOST) and that is not yet seen on Mercedes.

The Keyword Protocol (KWP2000) is in fact universal since 2000. So in theory with enough research someone may develop a system for BMW and Mercedes in one unit. This was previously attempted by a company called WINSTAR but became unpopular later with cloned Star Systems.

Miro, Thanks for that extra info. I have never seen D4 firmware in any other diagnosis application apart from Star.

As you say, Star Diagnosis is able to diagnose certain Mitsubishi and VW applications (and those with developer mode licences with all the extra licence bits may be able to see those in the vehicle list)

The downloadable BMW "online" diagnosis (bmwtechinfo.com I think) uses any generic pass-thru mux - (I've used it) but it didnt work when I tried it with a D4 to see what would happen, I guess as you say it needs the D4 download to make it passthru compatible.

Miro, presumably W212/W207 are now all done only via CANbus, and Xentry is using passthru to talk to them ? So you could start Star as a W212 (thus getting the MUX started) and then run up the BMW application ?

Cheers

Richard