HFM Scan now works on 500E'S!!

[JC220]

For everyone with a LH Mercedes this might be of interest-


Early on after buying the 500E I contacted Mike K (HFM Scan) and enquired if his software would read a 500E Live Data. Long story short I have been assisting Mike with Data from my 500E over the past couple of months and he has been updating the software using this data which was the first M119 he had actual live data from.


Mike now has the HFM software updated so it will read Live Data from a 500E (Small charge for this) and also it will record the data for analysis’ FOC as before. Mike was a great help with my E36 build- the ability to record and study the data with HFM chart was a life saver. Mike read the data logs and was able to tell me within minutes that the O2 Sensor was giving irregular readings at times and the MAF was shot.


Mike will also assist with giving feedback FOC if the data file is sent to him for analysis. He has read the latest data logs from my 500E and gave it a 100% clean bill of health


Yes it’s not MB Star by any means - but for the home mechanic his software is invaluable and..... free (Without Live data capability). Otherwise - use HFM Chart to study the data.


So any of you guys can download the latest version of HFM Scan and it will work on your m119 as it did on a m104 Mike says he is creating a LH diagnose page soon with this information also.

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/index.html

Details on how to connect your car here-

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/mercedes_diagnose_kkl_soft.html



Here are some screenshots of my 500E on the HFM Scan (Now LH capable) as developed by Mike. There are more screens too with live charts of each & every sensor. 02 etc. These were just some screen shots I took for Mike.

 

[doolar]

Wow thats awesome!

 

[JC220]

It is indeed awesome

I'll get the car hooked up to the laptop again later & get some more screen shots of the Live Data charts.

 

[gsxr]

Awesome! How fast is the update? Can you get a short video showing the live data as you blip the throttle or something?

Also - can the HFMScan record the data, for playback, or export...?

 

[JC220]

Awesome! How fast is the update? Can you get a short video showing the live data as you blip the throttle or something?

Also - can the HFMScan record the data, for playback, or export...?

Sure here is a quick demo of the software running on my 500E this afternoon-

Sorry admittedly I’m not great at videos but hopefully it’s some use! I had to be quick, my Iphone creates humongous video files.

So when HFM Scan is connected it begins recording the data all the time until shutdown. It creates a log file containing all of the data which you can read using HFM Chart.

(If the Live Data file was purchased from Mike- the Live data can be viewed whilst running also- like you see on my demo) Email Mike your year / model and he can give a price for the Data File to unlock your ECU on HFM Scan.

For analysing the data- either email the log files to Mike hfmscan@mail.ru (Mike does not currently charge for this service)
Or-

You can download HFM Chart and decode the Data yourself millisecond by millisecond. This is actually best for really studying the data- being able to zoom in on specific values & sensors.

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/hfmscan_analyse_logs.html
I myself still need to learn to use HFM Chart properly! Here is a snapshot from when my E36 was on it-



Sometimes I connect the laptop with the USB lead in through the window- then take the car for a drive to record all the data.

In short this software is very good & FOC when you read your own Data using HFM Chart. All you need is the inexpensive cables available on Ebay to connect to your car



[video=youtube;WdQaL5T6VWk]

 

[JC220]

So one thing that has started to happen this past couple of weeks but I can't quite put my finger on is the car stalled about 3 times for no apparent reason at idle.

I think it's the dizzy caps which were last replaced in 2004 & Bremi! New Bosch caps will be on my next parts order. Or I gapped the new plugs at 0.8mm - maybe the gap should be opened up to 1.0mm or greater as recommended on here.

I have no affiliation with Mike other than I appreciate his efforts on his software which he develops himself. I sent him a link to the video so he can see how the software is working. (Mike created several new releases of HFM scan for the 500E with some data we were sending back & forth to make it read the V8 data)

He has looked at the video and said- 'I see in your video red parameters (adaption's on idle is big, please send me logs and I can check)'

Might well be nothing to do with the stalling but worth investigating all the same.

I'll send Mike fresh data later and see what he thinks. This is why this software is invaluable!

 

[gsxr]

If idle adaptation is abnormal, first thing I'd check is every vacuum and PCV tube / fitting... next check is fuel pressure. Less likely would be a bad MAF or the wrong chip in the LH module.

 

[Zuffenhausen]

ok so with a phone or a laptop, software and cable I can use this as a full time scanner while I drive the car?

 

[gsxr]

He mentions a cost of $45 USD... what hardware & software components are needed to make this work on the E500E? Does the HFM Chart software work with M119 data files?

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/lh.html

 

[Zuffenhausen]

Looks to be two cables, the USB Adapter KKL and the Mercedes Benz 38 Pin to 16 Pin OBD OBD2 Diagnostic Adapter Cable for a laptop with the free software. Will this software also allow to clear codes?

 

[JC220]

ok so with a phone or a laptop, software and cable I can use this as a full time scanner while I drive the car?

Yes this software will continually log Data whilst the car is running. I normally drive mine with the cable snaked in through the window – gives a complete range of data through varying RPM’s / Loads.

For the E500E you require these 2 inexpensive cables-


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VAG-COM-KKL-409-1-OBD2-USB-Cable-Auto-Scanner-Scan-Tool-Audi-VW-SEAT-Volkswagen-/350766989906



http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-38-Pin-to-16-Pin-OBD-OBD2-Diagnostic-Adapter-Cable-Connector-USA-/321441688915

He mentions a cost of $45 USD... what hardware & software components are needed to make this work on the E500E? Does the HFM Chart software work with M119 data files?

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/lh.html

Yes that’s correct Dave (For the extra Live Data ECU File) but I’ll try to clarify this-


When HFM Scan is used (On LH systems now too) it can be downloaded totally free from Mike’s Site. And used for free. Then you have 3 options-


1; Simply email the Data to Mike K and ask for his opinion. He will tell you if anything is wrong and provide screenshots of where the fault is. For example on my E36 he told me both the 02 & MAF were shot and sent me screenshots of the chart where the values flatlined etc.
This is Free.


2; Also download HFM Chart on Mike K’s Site. This will allow you to read the data itself – on chart format. But ONLY after you have extracted the data from the car post running it. IE; This is not Live data but still allows you to record all of the data as before and analysis it yourself.
This is also Free AFAIK.

(EDIT - This USED to be free – bit I recall when I tried it on the 500E more recently it didn’t work without extra $45 .dat File. But hey, try it first & see it won’t hurt anything)



3; Is to spend the $45USD to purchase the additional Live.dat file specific to your car. What this does is you will have an extra couple of tabs within the software unlocked now which allow you to read / view the Live data. You can watch the values / chart form as you run the car. So the readings vary per RPM etc and if you suspect something is flaky you can watch the data realtime. (Like in my You Tube Video posted above) This will for sure also allow you to use HFM Chart to go back over the data pulled from the car at a later date.


Again this upgrade costs $45 usd – but is not essential or required to use the software.


Try it free first – if you like it or feel you will continue use it then order the .dat file after to unlock the Live Data.

Looks to be two cables, the USB Adapter KKL and the Mercedes Benz 38 Pin to 16 Pin OBD OBD2 Diagnostic Adapter Cable for a laptop with the free software. Will this software also allow to clear codes?

Yes this software will allow you to view & clear fault codes. If you look at my initial posts in the thread I have shown screenshots of the Fault codes which were on my car as viewed with HFM Scan. Note that any fault codes displayed will only relate to the LH system (Maybe E Gas too) and not any other modules in the car. Idle adaption can also be reset.


I have just recently got my own Mercedes Star / DAS setup and I can say that the HFM Scan is a easier to use programme with just the same features as Star but with a much nicer interface and the ability to record the Live data too- so for the measly cost of the two cables and the free software this is pretty hard to beat!


As for my last post above stating about the stalling etc- that has now been 100% resolved with new Bosch Caps & Rotors

 

[Zuffenhausen]

A tablet would be the way to go IMO

 

[gsxr]

You can download HFM Chart and decode the Data yourself millisecond by millisecond. This is actually best for really studying the data- being able to zoom in on specific values & sensors.

http://www.hfmscan.com/en/hfmscan_analyse_logs.html

I myself still need to learn to use HFM Chart properly! Here is a snapshot from when my E36 was on it-

View attachment 51110

Just curious - does "Ignition Angle" show in the LH data also? The screen shot above was from HFM, I wasn't sure if LH had all the same data available.

 

[JC220]

Just curious - does "Ignition Angle" show in the LH data also? The screen shot above was from HFM, I wasn't sure if LH had all the same data available.

Hi Dave,


To be honest I haven’t used LH Scan for a few weeks now – but when I get a few more miles on the 500E (Post adaption reset) I intend to get more data from the car for Mike.


In the version I had from a few weeks ago – no the Igntion Angle is not shown for a M119.

As I say my 500E is the first car Mike had data from which I provided to him as he needed it to develop the software. I did ask him about the ignition angle being missing and he said he was awaiting an EZL module to turn up. This was a few weeks back.

So Mike was working on adding that to the LH (HFM) Software capability. Whatever version is on the HFM site is the latest version at any time. Ie; any updates are got simply by periodically re-downloading / installing HFM scan from Mike's site.

However I would say that Star does not have any ignition system readouts either for the 500E. Just very similar Live data available but instead shown in an Atari like clunky interface and with no capability to record data. Plus Star costs more than x50 times more than HFM Scan to buy the hardware & set up! So it’s possible Ignition data is simply not possible to view on a LH 500E, I’ll check back with Mike again on that subject in a couple of weeks when I have more data for him

 

[gsxr]

OK, so it doesn't have ignition angle yet, but it may in the future - that is good news!

The SDS will show ignition angle (and, individual ignition timing for each of the 8 cylinders) in the live data from the EZL. But you are right, it cannot be recorded via SDS. The Snap-On MTG-2500 will record limited data but you can only view it on the unit, no download possible to a PC.

See attached PDF file with most (not all) the live data elements available from the 500E systems. It's possible the ignition angle is not available from the LH module directly, which would be a bummer. It should be available via the CAN bus though.

 

[gerryvz]

I very recently bought the requisite cables to connect the HFMScan software to both my G-wagen and my E500. I will be doing this spring, a series that builds upon what JC220 did with his original HFMScan thread, to pursue general diagnosis, live-data acquisition and recording, and code diagnostics and resetting using this software.

I will be running it on the same Dell laptop that my SDS system runs on (my shop laptop).

JC's intro was a great start, particularly for 119 stuff. The G320 (M104) is also expressly supported with the HFMScan software; for the SDS you have to "fake" it into believing that the 104.996 that is in the G-wagen is actually a W210-based M104...LOL. For reference, the 104 that is commonly found in US-spec 1993-1995 E320 models is the 104.992.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[a777fan]

I very recently bought the requisite cables to connect the HFMScan software to both my G-wagen and my E500. I will be doing this spring, a series that builds upon what JC220 did with his original HFMScan thread, to pursue general diagnosis, live-data acquisition and recording, and code diagnostics and resetting using this software.

I will be running it on the same Dell laptop that my SDS system runs on (my shop laptop).

JC's intro was a great start, particularly for 119 stuff. The G320 (M104) is also expressly supported with the HFMScan software; for the SDS you have to "fake" it into believing that the 104.996 that is in the G-wagen is actually a W210-based M104...LOL. For reference, the 104 that is commonly found in US-spec 1993-1995 E320 models is the 104.992.

Cheers,
Gerry

This would be great Gerry. I'm also curious if you'll be compiling a Go/No-Go capability list for the HFM Scan v. Star/Snap-on etc. For example, can HFM scan run the LH actuator tests shown on Gxxers PDF?

 

[gerryvz]

I'll work with the Mushroom Man and with JC220 closely once I get things set up and running, to compare notes and run tests that they request on the 119 and 104. I need to spend much more time up front familiarizing myself with everything first, though. I'll do that while I'm waiting for the cables to arrive.

 

[gsxr]

This would be great Gerry. I'm also curious if you'll be compiling a Go/No-Go capability list for the HFM Scan v. Star/Snap-on etc. For example, can HFM scan run the LH actuator tests shown on Gxxers PDF?

HFM scan is read-only... will show data from the LH module, but not data from other modules (yet).And no, it cannot perform any actuations. You need Star/SDS for that.

The advantage of HFM Scan is datalogging, which you cannot do with Star/SDS. This could be really helpful in certain instances. I really wish ignition angle (and, knock retard angle for each cylinder) was available in the datastream. Would be fabulous when dialing in a nitrous system. That data is sourced from the EZL though, no the LH.

 

[gerryvz]

I'll work with the Mushroom Man and with JC220 closely once I get things set up and running, to compare notes and run tests that they request on the 119 and 104. I need to spend much more time up front familiarizing myself with everything first, though. I'll do that while I'm waiting for the cables to arrive.

My second cable of two finally arrived today from the Ukraine. It’s the OBD2-to-four banana plug cable for the HFM and other cars with the eight- and sixteen-pin diagnostic connectors.

Once I dig out my STAR C3 laptop and multiplexer, I will start messing around with it and the HFMScan with the G-wagen and E500.

 

[JC220]

I very recently bought the requisite cables to connect the HFMScan software to both my G-wagen and my E500. I will be doing this spring, a series that builds upon what JC220 did with his original HFMScan thread, to pursue general diagnosis, live-data acquisition and recording, and code diagnostics and resetting using this software.

I will be running it on the same Dell laptop that my SDS system runs on (my shop laptop).

JC's intro was a great start, particularly for 119 stuff. The G320 (M104) is also expressly supported with the HFMScan software; for the SDS you have to "fake" it into believing that the 104.996 that is in the G-wagen is actually a W210-based M104...LOL. For reference, the 104 that is commonly found in US-spec 1993-1995 E320 models is the 104.992.

Cheers,
Gerry

Hi Gerry,

It’s good to see some more interest in the HFM Software. At the time I created this thread on 500E board I was getting on well with it and was in regular contact with the developer –Mike. Indeed my 500E was somewhat of a test mule for Mike and he appeared to be enjoying the data from it compared to an m104 – for example he was impressed with “How much air the m119 consumes at idle”.

There reached a point in time where my HFM equipped laptop and / or cable decided to not connect to the car anymore. I had just got my Star C3 setup and so I did not HFM Scan further. Mike also had expressed some reluctance in the further development of LH Scan because in his words – 500E owners would more likely just take their car to a Garage rather than DIY repair it (Perhaps more affluent).

But I will get my HFM scan up and working again and would for sure I’d like to work with you, Dave & Mike to see what HFM / LH Scan can offer us E500E or other m119 owners. My Star C3 setup is also down at the moment but it is with the specialist getting repaired (Or replaced as it happens!) So in another week or two I should have both systems running again. I’ll also forward you some of the email chains I had with Mike on the possibility of adding extra data for the m119 cars such as the Ignition Angle.

 

[mikeym]

folks - what's the verdict on this?
I don't feel like spending $500 on C4 Chinese stuff that is not going to work. Been following this for month on various forums and haven't seen any reliable supplier for C4.
So, the options seems to be either C3 or go with something like HFMSCAN.
Anyways, curious to see if HFMScan works well for W124s and may be we can convince the author to give us a custom deal

 

[JC220]

folks - what's the verdict on this?
I don't feel like spending $500 on C4 Chinese stuff that is not going to work. Been following this for month on various forums and haven't seen any reliable supplier for C4.
So, the options seems to be either C3 or go with something like HFMSCAN.
Anyways, curious to see if HFMScan works well for W124s and may be we can convince the author to give us a custom deal

This is on my to do list but I have haven’t got around to it yet. Partly because some 7-8 weeks later my C3 system is still not repaired and the vendor has offered a PX type deal for me to upgrade to a C4 system. Although HFM scan does not work with my 1997 W140 S280 it does connect to all of my w124’s AOK.


HFM / LH Scan is free to download and use. What custom deal do you mean? Cheaper live data enabling? Perhaps, but Mike K’s prices are already very reasonable for the software he offers IMO.

 

[gsxr]

$500 for a turn-key C3 system including laptop and hardware is a good deal at current pricing. Do some research and buy from a reputable vendor with good reviews, and read up at MHH Auto for more info.

 

[mikeym]

This is on my to do list but I have haven’t got around to it yet. Partly because some 7-8 weeks later my C3 system is still not repaired and the vendor has offered a PX type deal for me to upgrade to a C4 system. Although HFM scan does not work with my 1997 W140 S280 it does connect to all of my w124’s AOK.


HFM / LH Scan is free to download and use. What custom deal do you mean? Cheaper live data enabling? Perhaps, but Mike K’s prices are already very reasonable for the software he offers IMO.

I haven't looked at the software capabilities lately but seems like it was about $50 per vehicle for additional features such as live data. For one vehicle, I think it is great. But, at 2-3, C3 starts to look more attractive. Also, I have seen some threads where you have to send him the logs to root cause the issue but I am not sure what those are.

gsxr- I have read through a lot of threads on mhhauto and was hopeful to get a c4 but looks like C3 is the way to go for now.

 

[gsxr]

I'm not real familiar with the differences, but my understanding was that C4 gives you the convenience of wireless, and that's about it for models through roughly 2009 or 2010. I think C4 is required for newer models, but if you don't plan to use it on something that new, it won't matter. For the record, I have a C3 setup.

 

[gerryvz]

I would recommend just getting a C3 system. it's hard-wired (not wireless) and it's just one less hassle.

I have not engaged on my HFMscan project yet (despite getting the two cables in hand) due to

a) a lot of travel recently
b) still trying to find my C3 laptop and multiplexer in a packed box from my move from Texas

As soon as I do, I'm looking forward to connecting everything and exploring. I need the Star C3 for my E500 anyway ... I have a bad original ETA (I believe) that is causing LHM. I'm likely going to have to send it out to LWB's guy for a rebuild (though I do have two more recent spares in hand).

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[mikeym]

I'm not real familiar with the differences, but my understanding was that C4 gives you the convenience of wireless, and that's about it for models through roughly 2009 or 2010. I think C4 is required for newer models, but if you don't plan to use it on something that new, it won't matter. For the record, I have a C3 setup.

it is wireless, don't need a laptop with dedicated serial port and can still HHT/Win with Xentry on Win7 instead of Winxp. I am trying to find out if there is a way to run C3 with HHTWin on Win 7 and if it does, then go with C3. C4 also lets us work with models up to 2014 (or higher with some capability) but that's let interesting because I am not planning to purchase a new vehicle.

 

[gsxr]

Interesting. The ability to run Win 7, and not have a dedicated serial port, would be handy. I just got a Dell D630 and it was all plug+play. It will be many years before I own anything newer than a W211 (2003-2009 USA model years).

 

[Efraim]

Hi,

The topic is rather old for you guys who wrote here, but acute for me. I bought VAG-KKL-USB OBD adapter and 38pin-OBD cables to be able to use the Hfmscan. The problem arose in very begining, the device driver for the usb cable. Do you remember which driver you used and where you got it?

Thanks.

 

[nandrews]

Hi,

The topic is rather old for you guys who wrote here, but acute for me. I bought VAG-KKL-USB OBD adapter and 38pin-OBD cables to be able to use the Hfmscan. The problem arose in very begining, the device driver for the usb cable. Do you remember which driver you used and where you got it?

Thanks.

Efraim,

There are drivers for a variety of these interfaces available from OBD Innovations, here:

KKL VAG CAN USB Interface Cable Downloads

A blog about car diagnostic tools, OBD Software, OBD2 Cables, How To Install Guides, Software Downloads

blog.obdinnovations.com

You may need to go through a couple of tries if you're not sure which variety matches your cable.

 

[nandrews]

Hi Gerry,

It’s good to see some more interest in the HFM Software. At the time I created this thread on 500E board I was getting on well with it and was in regular contact with the developer –Mike. Indeed my 500E was somewhat of a test mule for Mike and he appeared to be enjoying the data from it compared to an m104 – for example he was impressed with “How much air the m119 consumes at idle”.

There reached a point in time where my HFM equipped laptop and / or cable decided to not connect to the car anymore. I had just got my Star C3 setup and so I did not HFM Scan further. Mike also had expressed some reluctance in the further development of LH Scan because in his words – 500E owners would more likely just take their car to a Garage rather than DIY repair it (Perhaps more affluent).

But I will get my HFM scan up and working again and would for sure I’d like to work with you, Dave & Mike to see what HFM / LH Scan can offer us E500E or other m119 owners. My Star C3 setup is also down at the moment but it is with the specialist getting repaired (Or replaced as it happens!) So in another week or two I should have both systems running again. I’ll also forward you some of the email chains I had with Mike on the possibility of adding extra data for the m119 cars such as the Ignition Angle.

JC220,

Sorry to bump this old thread, but I'm trying to work with HFMScan on our company's 1992 400E. We only have a few days to work on this car before it has to be put up for winter.

I've been trying to contact Mike to obtain the ecu.dat file for our car, but I haven't been able to reach him (perhaps due to internet issues with Russia at the moment), and I'm wondering if you might be able to dig up the ecu.dat file for the M119 LH engine. We'll be paying Mike for it as soon as we're able to, but that may be a while given current geopolitics.

Thanks very much!

 

[Sathya]

It is indeed awesome

I'll get the car hooked up to the laptop again later & get some more screen shots of the Live Data charts.

Hi JC, sorry this is not about m119 engine. but i need your help to open the logs file on HFM chart, because what i see is only a blank white screen after opening the log files, no grphic at all.
my car is M111 engine with PMS system, but it is also compatible with HFM scan. I have try to contact Mike (i used to talk alot with him via email) but no response from him right now.

 

[JC220]

Hi JC, sorry this is not about m119 engine. but i need your help to open the logs file on HFM chart, because what i see is only a blank white screen after opening the log files, no grphic at all.
my car is M111 engine with PMS system, but it is also compatible with HFM scan. I have try to contact Mike (i used to talk alot with him via email) but no response from him right now.
View attachment 213851

Apologies I'm afraid ill be no help either as my HFM scan cable/ software had issues that it stopped working a number of years back so I stopped using it. I'd need to try and fix it sometime myself