I have a 1997 e420 that will not start. This is an occasional car, I don't drive it that often and it sits more than it gets driven.

The engine cranks strong, but will not start. Upon trying to read the engine diagnostic codes, there was zero response. Curious. Upon opening up the ECU compartment, there appears to be corrosion on the ECU itself.

I ordered a pre-owned computer from a recycler and put that in, but now I get a P1570 error. I suppose we're improving now since we now get codes, but the engine will still not start.

I have searched around and found out that the ECU needs to get the current vehicle's VIN programmed into it. Because if the ECU doesn't match the EIS, then the engine will not start.

1. Does this sound right to the SME's on the board?
2. Now that I have a working computer with the wrong VIN, who can reprogram it? Is the dealer the only one with the correct software to reprogram the computer or would an independent show also have the software?
3. How does water/moisture get into a sealed computer box?

Many thanks to everyone for your thoughts.

 

The replacement ECU is a fancy paper weight. It WILL NOT work in your car.

ECU's MUST be purchased new using your VIN and then version coded using SDS.

Have you checked your CPS?

 

The ECU on your vehicle is considered a theft relevant part. It has to be coded @ corporate and installed at a dealer with the same security policy as ordering a key. Sorry for you bad luck but you are looking at a big expense. There are two control units depending on the production range of the vehicle.

023-545-12-32-88 @ $1132.00
or
023-545-24-32-88 @ $1322.00

+ Install


opps took too long to reply

 

My ECU Number that I had replaced was 0215452332.

Would a junkyard knowing sell a computer knowing it was useless? That doesn't make sense to me. I got a quote from a recycler in town who would have gladly sold me the used part, I ended up buying it over the internet to save more money.

I will look into sending it back, but at least I'm learning as I go forward.

Cars that don't run = sad.

 

Can you post pictures of the ECU corrosion? Long shot, but you can repair corroded circuit boards, some of the time.

 

You are right I was multi tasking and ended up using someone elses info. I will check again for you tomorrow. I am sure the junkyard knows sine most all MB's need to be coded to the vin, but who knows I am not familiar with their operation. I have never seen the inside of one, but you might want to transplant if possible some of the corroded items from the good one to the bad one.

 

Off thread but do you have a pic of your Renntech airbox you coud post? I am curious as to the differences. Thanks

 

That one is a little more expensive around $1500 with exchange.

 

I started a new thread about the Renntech airbox:
https://mbworld.org/forums/w210-amg/...10-airbox.html

 

So I called around to a a few independent Mercedes shops as well as to my local dealer. Both said that they had the equipment to reprogram the computer. I elected to take it to the dealer, both since it was my last free AAA tow and a firm belief that if the dealer couldn't fix it (at the corresponding dealer labor rate), it can't be fixed.

The dealer service department just called and said that the ECU in this particular car, once programmed, can't be changed. So I may be stuck buying a new computer and the one I purchased from a recylcer is essentially a brick.

Can anyone tell me that is true, just so I can verify my dealer response? It's a 1997 E420.

The brick, in pariticular cheeses me off, since I called four different places for pricing and ability to reuse this part, including mercedes.justanswer.com

 

See post #2 & 3.

After 40 starts, ECU's are married to the vehicle they are installed into and can not be swapped around or wiped.

 

This company can unlock your computer so you can get installed at the dealer and reprogrammed. Check it out.

http://beckmanntechnologies.com/index.php<!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message -->