SUNILP

Just becuase it is a built in option, you cannot simply enable it always. If your car is before a July 03 build date, then your ESP module software is too old. Replce the ESP module then and enable it. Still the passive system is not too great. Not very accurate but atleast it's something. I have no idea what parts will cost and I have not really looked into it. I would estimate at 1200 dollars. Sensors are not cheap unless they are used.

amdeutsch

Thanx. But what everybody is after is the integrated look and not that add on box look. Afterall some people would prefer to spend the extra cash for the seemless MB factory look.

vadim

Agree. I would not put any visible A/M parts on my car, that's why I was asking. But at $1200 for the new ESP module it is not worth it to me. Thanks for the info, everyone!

SUNILP

1200 dollars is what I assume the price of parts for a full TPS system is. not a ESP module.

CitronC230K_03

that's right. all or nothing at all. rather go for the gusto, than half ***.

breastroker

You guys call everything not MB half assed, but you have to have a plan of attack on any issue. At least Sunman understood right away the ESP route was not the right one. And without his knowledge of the DAS none of us would have known of the possibility of having a factory look. Thank you Sunman.

I just purchased from eBay @$99 the APC http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWN%3AIT
Normally sells from $199 to $279.

Reason for purchase? Because it is now apparent that every tire pressure monitor sold in the USA is governed by the FCC rule 15 at 433.92 MHz. Everyone transmits pressure and temperature. Since most of our problems will be mounting the sensors/transmitters to the aftermarket rims, those like APC that mount with a band on the centerline of the rim is the best solution.

Next if someone will give us a parts list of the control module and wiring harness for each wheel radio reciever/antenna I will install that.

The big if will be if the MB system works with the aftermarket sensors/transmitters. I think it will. And if not, I am out only $99. And at least for a while I will be monitoring over a $1000 worth of tires and rims.

SUNILP

Breastroker, I think you're probably going to be out of luck using those APC sensors on the MB system. They all operate at 433mhz but it's actually 433.xxxmhz. This is where the variation occurs. THe problem (if you can call it that) is that I have to make sure I find a control module that will work with our car. Canbus protocols are different in all cars. 211 parts will not work mostly becuase of the introduction of a Gateway instead of a EIS system like our older cars. (if you can call them old) I am looking at 220, 215, and 230 parts at the moment. Benz tire sensors are generic throughout the range. Just make sure they are 433mhz. battries are permenantly installed in the sensors so they will last for 6-7 years. I also have to find a harness that is compatable with our car, method of mounting the antennas, brackets, etc.

breastroker

Sunman,
Like I said EVERY single manufacturer of after market transmitters used 433.92 MHz

Here is why the ESP based system is bad. Imagine driving on your 300 dollar 19 inch tires at 14 psi, not good.

An Evaluation of Existing Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems
Testing showed that all of the WSB systems would warn of a single tire being significantly underinflated (50 percent low) on a winding road course. However, on the 7.5 mile oval test track, which requires little turning input, only three of the four systems could detect tire pressure as low as 14 psi. The WSB systems also did not warn of two tires equally underinflated on the same side of the vehicle or on the same axle. Three of four systems warned of two underinflated tires in diagonal positions. All of the systems warned of three tires equally underinflated. None of the four WSB systems were able to warn of all four tires equally underinflated. The observed warning capabilities of these systems corresponded to the theoretical limitations of the sensing algorithm documented in this report.

SUNILP

I guess we'll have to test them then. I'll let you know when I can put together a system.

SUNILP

I have tested 220, 211, and 230 modules in the 203 cluster and none seems to work with it. After I switched clusters to the 211, the 211 module works fine with this cluster. I will have to do a firmware flash to change the 211 cluster to a 209 cluster. I am crossing my fingers and hoping the 211 TPC module will still work though.

gaiex

In europe you can see cheap cars like Renault's and citroen's with similliar systems, but they all work bad, like the BMW system, I know some peoples with this systems and all complain the functionality, most of the time is not working well and giving error, then you must go to a tire workshop to check the valve. There I saw some new BMW's 5 series and renault's with this problem

gaiex

Give a look here (page 14):
http://www4.mercedes-benz.com/e/cars...5_betrieb.html

Tishers

Eventually tire presssure monitoring systems will be mandated on many models sold in the states.

It seems to be one of those little differentiators between a C and an E

SUNILP

gaiex, as discussed earlier, that is a passive system that does not measure actual tire pressure. I am installing a active system.

gaiex

SUNILP

I activated the passive tire pressure monitor in my car. I am not sure it will work until I get a flat though. It works off the ABS sensors in the wheels and checks for differences in rotational forces of each wheel. It's not as good as the active system but it's something. To activate it, I had to activate the ESP module, EIS, and instrument cluster. I am not sure if the old clusters support this feature. I have a 211 cluster in my car at the moment. If your car is produced 2004 and later, your ESP module should support this feature. I had to change my ESP module when I got Distronic so mine supports it now. A new menu pops in instrument cluster as well. I will take pics later and post.

Saprissa

SUPER !
too bad all your stuff is based on a W211 cluster....
leaves us with W203 clusters twiddling our thumbs !

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

benzmodz

Not at all. I am currently testing this function in 3 x 2003 W203. Just waiting for the eventual blowout. I hope it comes in the distant future.

My car is being painted otherwise I could easily test mine also, being much older.

Saprissa

Please post details for W203's.
Thanks.

Carlos

Saprissa@aol.com

amdeutsch

Sunman

I tried this on my MY03 but had the incorrect build date. I believe, but unfortunately deleted my PM, that a build date of middle 03, sometime after 06-03, might have the capability to get this feature activated. Did we not discuss this in detail previously? Our email discussion was dated 03-04. I can reforward it to you again if you want since I saved it.

TheBossman

Sunman- your benz is becoming more of a full on main frame computer of some sort now with all the 'auto' biz-blah installed in that damn car haha. I bet you cant even sneeze without having a voice command of some sort going off now. Niiice

SUNILP

I just got a call back from a customer that had nail in the tire and it gave him a warning in the cluster that his tire has low air. I activated this for him when i was doing installs in Dallas. He got to a tire shop before it was too low. this system can be activated on 2005 and newer cars. NOT ALL CARS CAN BE ACTIVATED. It depends on the software that is running on the ESP module. Even if you have a 2005 car, it MAY NOT be doable. It also depends on the software running on the DAS system which was used to activate it. Pre 05 cars should be doable with a replaced ESP module.... but I am not sure how expensive these are.

drexappeal

Sunman, 2004.5 also! I've got mine currently activated. No replacement of the ESP module necessary.

nlpamg

damn, nice! next time Steve comes to Cali, I'll have some coding done (can't afford the other stuff).

drexappeal

Phil, make sure you have a list of all the one's you want done so Steve can do them all at once.

BTW...Are you free on Wednesday? I'll hit you up later 'bout it.

drex