EricAnnai

can any one help?
i just installed a new engine and a new automatic gearbox in my W203 and after installing the car only drives in the 1st and 2nd gears.the mechanic says i need an expert to reprogramme the gearbox to the engine before the car can have all its speed to the 5th gear.
can i apply the automatic gearbox reset option to solve the problem?

Glyn M Ruck

You need to have the entire ECU/TCU adapted with a Star DAS at the dealer. Then everything will recognise one another & operate normally. At present you are in limp mode.

samaritrey

Did you change the size of engine or type of transmission? Did you change out the ECU/TCU from the donor engine?

EricAnnai

i changed my engine because the oil pump seized working and resulted in burning bearings and damage to the first piston in the first chamber.

i replaced it with a 3.2L engine but replaced the entire automatic gear box with the same kind.

amx1397

if you are in south Florida u need to see JS Benz.com if you are up north you need to see Rudy and only Rudy at Speedriven.com , both of these can do what the dealer can not do when you install a different eng or tranny into a car like mine removed the 3.2 put in a 5.5 they can reprogram your car. the dealer can not because the vin tells them to set all computers to the old eng or tranny. try the dealler and then when they can't do it then call one of the people i gave you.

Glyn M Ruck

The dealer can do it. They often do for an engine or transmission failure. You need to find a dealer that understands his Star properly & is willing.

EricAnnai

thankx for the advice.i have booked an appointment with the dealer on thursday,i will get back to you after our meeting

samaritrey

What engine did your car originally have?

EricAnnai

it had a 2.6L v6 (m112) engine and replaced with 3.2L v6 (m112)

Glyn M Ruck

C240 to C320 upgrade makes sense & should be easy. Now you just need everything to talk to one another.

EricAnnai

after several hours of working on my car the gears only shift from first to second.
what could the prolem be.can any of the sam's be defective?what about the transmission control boad?

Glyn M Ruck

More information please. Several hours of doing what?

EricAnnai

if it is TCU,should i change it because i have changed the engine and transmission gear box?

EricAnnai

after several atempts to have entire ECU/TCU adapted with a Star DAS the car is still in limp mode

EricAnnai

please advice

Glyn M Ruck

It is good practice to keep ECU & engine & TCU & transmission paired. However any TCU for that model gearbox post 2002 should work (pre 2002 TCU's could not be reflashed). You need your old ECU to write across VIN data etc from the EPROM to the new engine's ECU.

Is the Star showing any transmission fault codes that might keep the transmission in limp mode?

The EIS is the top of the control pyramid. Is the EIS recognising the ECU? Can you start the engine?

Is the transmission filled with fluid to the correct level?

EricAnnai

my car is 2004 model.for now the ECU has not been changed it is still the one in the car since it was bought.
from what i understand you mean the ECU should be reprogrammed to the new engine and the TCU reprogrammed to the gear box?
there are no fault codes displayed.
yes the EIS recognises the ECU.the car starts well and it is able to move but only in first and second gears.
the transmission has 7L of fluid.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes, if you are using the old ECU it will obviously talk to the vehicle but needs to be remapped for the larger engine fuel rates etc. Are you using your old TCU with a new gearbox? If so it will be talking to the ECU but needs to be adapted to the new gearbox.

If there are no fault codes then this should take the vehicle out of limp mode.

Please make sure that the TCU pilot bush is new & that there are no fluid leaks at the O rings where the TCU harness plugs into the front RH diagonal of the transmission.

amx1397

I guess you did not read my post ,,I removed the 3.2 and installed a 5.5 engine, removed the tranny from the 3.2 and installed a tranny from a SL55,, also changed my rear gear ratio from a 307 to 327 all works now. again,, south see JR at JSBenz,,,north see Rudy ar speedriven

Glyn M Ruck

The OP might not live in Florida. OP please complete your profile. Sadly, specialists do sometimes understand the Star DS better than dealers. Some also have developer mode unlocked which can make some things easier.

However, a dealer that knows what they are doing should be able to sort this.

EricAnnai

amx1397,I read your post but i do not live in florida.anyway do i also need to change my rear gear ratio?

Glyn, I think there is much logic in your explanation.thankx

EricAnnai

Hi Glyn,
your advice worked for me.my car now drives well n i have all the gears changing smoothly now.thankx

Glyn M Ruck

Great news! I'm pleased. Thanks for letting us know.