ECU Cannot be Decrypted & Tuned? Help!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: MD, USA
2013 E63 AMG
ECU Cannot be Decrypted & Tuned? Help!
Hello all, I have an interesting issue with my 2017 C63 AMG Coupe. I just purchased it recently (used) at a Mercedes dealership, so naturally it went through inspections & whatnot before it was offered for sale. Possibly, a software update being rolled out.
I recently pulled the ECU & sent it to a highly reputable tuner, whom has tuned multiple AMG’s I have owned. They have also tuned plenty of W205’s, some of which hold records on 1/4 mile runs (hence, they’re familiar with these cars) but haven’t encountered this thus far. They came across an issue with decrypting the code on the ECU - long story short: the ECU has an encryption they have yet to have seen, which rendered it unable to be tuned/modified. I’m now having it sent back to me & will put it back in the car; they are looking into the programming/files they took from it & will attempt to decipher it so I may have the car tuned soon - hopefully.
My question/concern - is there a new software update that was implemented on the M177 ECU that has changed the decryption code that is necessary to unlock & tune it? Would be helpful to hear from anyone that is aware of a new patch that may have been implemented, as I only just recently picked up this car less than a month ago (which is when the dealer could’ve possibly flashed new programming onto it upon trade in from the previous owner). Any info or insight would be appreciated! Thanks.
I recently pulled the ECU & sent it to a highly reputable tuner, whom has tuned multiple AMG’s I have owned. They have also tuned plenty of W205’s, some of which hold records on 1/4 mile runs (hence, they’re familiar with these cars) but haven’t encountered this thus far. They came across an issue with decrypting the code on the ECU - long story short: the ECU has an encryption they have yet to have seen, which rendered it unable to be tuned/modified. I’m now having it sent back to me & will put it back in the car; they are looking into the programming/files they took from it & will attempt to decipher it so I may have the car tuned soon - hopefully.
My question/concern - is there a new software update that was implemented on the M177 ECU that has changed the decryption code that is necessary to unlock & tune it? Would be helpful to hear from anyone that is aware of a new patch that may have been implemented, as I only just recently picked up this car less than a month ago (which is when the dealer could’ve possibly flashed new programming onto it upon trade in from the previous owner). Any info or insight would be appreciated! Thanks.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 537
Likes: 81
From: North NJ
2016 C63S
what AMG8 said is likely correct. in many cases dealers cannot just flash over a tuned ECU and it has to be returned to stock. The dealer actaully tried this on my car as it would have been easier then removing the ECU another time but was not successful. with the location of the ecu its likely whoever traded/sold it didnt flash it back to stock.
any other modifications to the car that would hint at a tune?
any other modifications to the car that would hint at a tune?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,589
Likes: 683
From: IL
19 E63s, 23 M3 compX, B9 SQ5
If it was previously tuned it would not have qualified for MB CPO anyway, so that theory makes no sense. Maybe the coupes have a newer version of the W205 ECUs than the sedans since the sedans have been out since 2015 and coupes since 2017.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 537
Likes: 81
From: North NJ
2016 C63S
curious why would you think that? if they plug it into the system when they do the inspection they cannot tell unless there is some sort of fault. From my experience the only time they can detect the tune is when something goes wrong (like a bad diff) and they have to send the data off to corporate or back to germany. there is no plug in and flag like Audi has with the TD1, so if they plug it in and pass no reason to not CPO it
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Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 76
Likes: 6
From: Metrowest Boston
'16 E63s Wagon
Weird.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 601
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2020 GLE 53 AMG
curious why would you think that? if they plug it into the system when they do the inspection they cannot tell unless there is some sort of fault. From my experience the only time they can detect the tune is when something goes wrong (like a bad diff) and they have to send the data off to corporate or back to germany. there is no plug in and flag like Audi has with the TD1, so if they plug it in and pass no reason to not CPO it
Selling as a CPO will yield a higher dollar amount, so in most cases, "they don't want to know" and aren't going to be looking for reasons to exclude it from being a CPO.
