BCouz

Looking for directions on how to remove ECU from 1998 E430 so I can send to Wetterauer for Chip Tuning.

techbike

But maybe it's not too different from the 2002 E430. The box is in the far left corner of the engine bay(looking at it from the front of the car. Disconnect the battery under the rear seat. Remove the 4 screws of the ECU box cover. The one you want is the one closest to the firewall and farthest away from you. remove all connectors (remember where they go). Pull ECU straight up.
Send the whole unit, do not open it up.
It's a little difficult to pull the connectors out and also to pull the box out but be patient. Again, the 2002 may be different but I doubt it.

Good luck and let us know how it goes and if the chip gets you a good gain.

BCouz

Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes.

Neicey59

Why pull out the ECU? MB removed the ECU on my 01 ML320, and the truck was never right again, they had to purchase it from me.

BCouz

I am having Wettenhauer retrofit my ECU w/ a new chip. It is advertised to add approximate 21 HP. In order to have this done, you must send the ECU to them so they can put in the new chip. They also put in a socket so you can return to the factory chip if you desire.

Richard Galing

I understand there are UPsolute chip tuning reps located in Dallas & Houston...might be a convenient alternative to sending out your ECU.

www.upsolute.com


Regards
Richard

Mach430

I'm surprised that they didn't provide detailed directions for you. I WROTE detailed directions for the CLK, which would be the same, and gave it to them almost a year ago. Kelly provided great service and support, but I am not longer using the chip.

Ben

Neicey59

Ben,

Did you get the performance from the chip that was promised? Does replacing the stock chip with the Wettenhauer replacement part void any parts of the MB warranty? Is there anyone on the board who can vouch for this chip? Has anyone here really obtained heightened performance utilizing the new chip?

Mach430

All I will say is that I had some complications, and have since took the chip out. Some people claim it works wonders, others the opposite.

BCouz

I am also looking into the UpSolute offering. Theirs is different in that they will reprogram your chip and resolder to the ECU; and they do this through a local distributer. You do have the option of going back to your orignal program however they would have to de-solder the chip, reprogram, and then re-solder back in. It is cheaper than the Wetterhauer solution and you do not have to remove the ECU, send it in, and wait for it to be returned.

techbike

Well actually, you do have to take the ECU out and you can either send it in or your local rep will do it on the spot. It's usually a 2-part process in that he has to download the original maps from your chip, e-mail it to Austria for analysis or confirmation, then download the new maps and then burn it into your chip. Here's my rep JohnA. doing his thing on my E430:

removing the ECU:


re-installing the chip:


If you're interested in my Upsolute experience, here's a link to the thread at Benzsport:
Upsoture Chip on E430

Good luck! I think $ 4 $ Upsolute's a good deal.

STKLAW

I have a 98 E 430 and I am thinking of doing the Usolute chip. What has been others experience? Noticeable boost? How hard is it to remove the ecu to send it in?

techbike

STKLAW,
click on the link in my previous reply post. Just briefly, the upsolute chip gave my '02E430SE a real good feelable gain. My GTech Pro recorded about a 10HP gain at the RW. Dropped my 0-60 from 6.73 to 6.2/6.1. It feels like running 1 gear low all the time, or nowadays, feels like how the engine was with the climate control in "E" when the A/C is really on. Does that make sense? IOW, I think it's worth it.
The ECU is really not that difficult to remove. The wire harnesses are just tight, and you to figure out the plastic locking tabs. When the harnesses are out, you have to jiggle pretty hard to free the ECU. Jiggle straight up. It's the one closest to the firewall. Careful with the cover screws too. You don't want the stealership to know you've been fiddling in there.