i have a 2010 Canadian c250 that has a severely corroded ecm board, i found the exact same car at a local wrecker, i am hoping to use the ecm from it for my car.
will this work? it was running before the rear end collision that caused the write off. should i get the keys and ignition switch as well?
will this allow me to bypass the $750 reprogramming fee that the dealer wants?
we love the car but wish to avoid the $4-5000 charge the dealer wants for a new ecm, with no guaranty that it will work
the wrecker wants $200 for the ecm and an additional $100 for the key and switch
shoud io try this?

thanks, you guys have been great with advice...
Ron

 

Assuming you can’t do the ECM swap, do you really want to put $4-5000 into a car that’s worth maybe $7900?

 

that's what i am trying to avoid...

 

any other options then? i hate to write off an otherwise good car. paying $5k to the dealer is way out of line i think....

 

I’m of the same opinion. As long as it’s a good car, try to keep it running. The dealer is more than a bit biased because they sell new and used cars.

The ECM is a theft sensitive component so it’s programmed to know the car and all the related components, most notably the anti theft system, the ESL, and the TCM. The decision tree that tells the car it’s okay to start and drive off when you turn the key is very complicated. It looks like it’s about a $1000 part new but sold only to dealers. Various versions are all over eBay for about ½ that. Do you have an indie shop in your area that you could ask about doing the swap for you? They have to be intimate with Mercedes Benzes. Just any guy named Hans with a wrench won’t do. I’m quite sure that a dealer won’t touch anything that doesn’t come through their system.

 

unfortunately i can't find anybody in Winnipeg, other than the dealer who has the capability to program the ecu. i was hoping that swapping out the parts from the wrecker would solve it.
we are in Sarasota Florida right now, and i did find a unit from a c300 at a wrecker down here but he doesn't know of any programmers here
any reccomendations in tampa area, i have the original ecm with us and the vin number

 

The only remaining suggestion I have is trying the Benz Ninja guy who advertises "coding" on other forums in this site. Maybe he can help get it done but it takes a laptop and his software to do anything. I don't have any experience with him but have seen him on the W211 forum.

 

thx i will reach out to him