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I was trying to make paddle shifters work on my E500 2003 for a long time. Steve, aka MBenzNL, told me, "it is not possible to get the proper code string for the transmission control unit" on E500. All other places where I was looking for help, had nothing to offer either. Then I asked Peter, aka pmercury, to help me, and he said, "nothing is impossible." And today, I had a pleasure to drive my car with fully working paddle shifters for the first time!!! Thank you, Peter, for all your help and time you spent to solve the mystery!!!
For those who'd like to do this retrofit for the pre-facelift cars, it's doable if your ETC module is EGS52. I can't speak of other modules. Here is what we have done: 1. I bought and installed a facelift steering wheel column and a steering wheel with paddle shifters. I also had to buy a new airbag; 2. Then I added the code 428 to vehicle's VeDoc; 3. We have done an online coding for the ETC module, but the new firmware didn't activate the paddle shifters. So, I can't say if Steps #2 and #3 are mandatory, or this could have been done without it. 4. We then used K-Tag and reprogramed the existing ETC module with a custom firmware; 5. After completing some programming with Xentry, paddle shifters were finally activated! They work in M mode and in C/S modes if gears are changed with a gear knob.
M-mode E500 2003 M-mode E500 2003
Hi.
is this firmware u made possible to flash in my ets?
I have a 2003 e320cdi
upgraded column with new shifters. And added the m/c/s button😉
Great thread, but the hard part is programing, i wonder if i go to a mercedes specialist, would they upgrade it
Does your wheel already have buttons? If it does, no programming necessary. You're basically taking out the innards of the buttons, and fitting them in the paddles. I've done it to my car and other than a slow steady hand with the dremel, it wasn't very difficult at all.
Does your wheel already have buttons? If it does, no programming necessary. You're basically taking out the innards of the buttons, and fitting them in the paddles. I've done it to my car and other than a slow steady hand with the dremel, it wasn't very difficult at all.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have the buttons, i'm not even sure retrofiting the buttons to my existing steering wheel, which i don't want to change it. This is the wheel.
1) getting paddle shifters to work in a car that didn't come with it requires online SCN coding (so it is NOT a basic DIY modification)
2) getting paddle shifters to work in a pre 2005 W211 requires additional hardware changes
3) pre 2005 AMG steering wheels with shifter buttons only work in pre 2005 AMGs and not in any other model E-class nor in 2005 or newer AMG's
greetingz,
know I’m pretty late on this thread but maybe y’all are still active. 2004 E320. I’m comfortable with SCN coding in the TCM, already coded M mode. Assuming I’d have to change the paddle shift byte in the TCM Module, no problem. What additional steps do I have to take hardware wise? If I do a full steering column swap with FL column, wheel, and airbag from 2006 E55 should everything work properly? You said there’s hardware changes I want to know specifically what they are so I can figure out pricing.
Hi all, I’ve done a write up of everything you should need on Benzworld for PFL upgrade to FL with paddles whether you had paddles stock or not. Here’s the link: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/in.../post-18523951
Some helpful info on the SCN coding for anyone who doesn’t have a car with paddles already. Thanks to all the help from people on this thread because a lot of this info helped with my install.
pretty much, when you upgrade all steering electronics from PFL to FL w211, in order to have working FL paddles,1. “paddle shifting” has to be disabled in GSM module, and 2. Paddles have to be enabled in the TCM variant code.
W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 M113k, W126 M117, W126 OM617, W211 OM642 ; R107 M117 X2, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by Luke81Roberts
Hi all, I’ve done a write up of everything you should need on Benzworld for PFL upgrade to FL with paddles whether you had paddles stock or not. Here’s the link: https://www.benzworld.org/threads/in.../post-18523951
Some helpful info on the SCN coding for anyone who doesn’t have a car with paddles already. Thanks to all the help from people on this thread because a lot of this info helped with my install.
pretty much, when you upgrade all steering electronics from PFL to FL w211, in order to have working FL paddles,1. “paddle shifting” has to be disabled in GSM module, and 2. Paddles have to be enabled in the TCM variant code.
So I have an 07 bluetec without buttons, is it just as easy as a steering wheel swap on mine?
So I have an 07 bluetec without buttons, is it just as easy as a steering wheel swap on mine?
Pretty sure you will need to do some SCN coding to enable paddles if it did not come stock even if it is 07. As long you have the updated steering column (translucent clockspring casing) then the only HARDWARE you will have to change is the wheel. If you know somebody that can code the TCM, you could do a wheel swap, then see if the paddles work. If they don't you could have them change the SCN code to enable them. Not sure how much people charge for that, but its a 15 min job if you have the right software and know what you're doing.
Hopefully someone is still active in this thread, I recently purchased a 2003 W211 E320 and the steering wheel came with the paddle shifter buttons (the + and the - on the steering wheel face) but they don’t work. All the other buttons work perfectly. How exactly can I move forward to get these paddle shifters to start working? Would I have to go to Mercedes dealership or would it be better to find a German specialized shop? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you Same steering wheel as image above
^ +1 to the above post. My 2005 e350 came with paddle shift option (on VIN lookup) and has buttons (not paddles) on the back of the steering wheel but they don't work. They don't work in M mode, only the shifter on the shifter. Any ideas?
Hopefully someone is still active in this thread, I recently purchased a 2003 W211 E320 and the steering wheel came with the paddle shifter buttons (the + and the - on the steering wheel face) but they don’t work. All the other buttons work perfectly. How exactly can I move forward to get these paddle shifters to start working? Would I have to go to Mercedes dealership or would it be better to find a German specialized shop? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thank you Same steering wheel as image above
image above is an e55 amg steering wheel. Which makes sense, because 2003 e320 will not have paddle shifters. I will assume the previous owner put the wheel in the car because it did not come stock. Link to my entire write up with most of the info you will need. https://www.benzworld.org/threads/in...#post-18523951
It depends what year the donor steering wheel is from. If the steering wheel from the e55 in your car is from a pre-facelift e55, You will have to go into the GSM(Gear Selector Module) module using DAS, and enable "button shift" in adaptations - variant code, and then everything should work.
If the wheel is from post facelift e55, you will have to go into the variant coding using either DAS or Vediamo and enable paddle shifting in the TCM.
The reason the process is different is because the pre facelift models (or maybe just 2003 and 2004) had paddles that worked by sending signals to the Gear Selector Module, while the Post Facelift had paddles that would send signals directly to the TCM.
Let me know if I can offer anymore info to help.
EDIT: 2003 e320 you will also have to enable M mode for the paddles to work. It adds about 30 seconds of work if you're changing SCN to enable paddles as it is. Pre Facelift cars (EGS52 TCM) paddles only work in M mode. EGS53 cars can use paddles in D mode I believe.
Last edited by Luke81Roberts; Feb 21, 2023 at 11:00 PM.
Reason: Update.
^ +1 to the above post. My 2005 e350 came with paddle shift option (on VIN lookup) and has buttons (not paddles) on the back of the steering wheel but they don't work. They don't work in M mode, only the shifter on the shifter. Any ideas?
So 2005 and early 2006 E350s still had the EGS52 transmission module. As long as the paddles or clock spring is not faulty, I would guess that since your car comes equipped with paddles from factory, somebody must have done a wheel swap at some point to have a sportier looking amg wheel.
Same thing as my previous comment, I would try disabling "button shift" in the GSM and seeing if everything works after that. If it doesn't then you will probably need to enable button shift in the TCM.
Pretty much the formula is this - If you have a Facelift steering wheel, Button Shift in GSM has to be disabled, and button shift in TCM has to be enabled.
If you have a pre facelift steering wheel, you have to have Button shift enabled in GSM, and I am not sure if the TCM matters.
If you have DAS or Vediamo I would be happy to help walk through the coding portion. Otherwise you should probably take it to someone who works on Benz.
Without buttons you will need to do variant coding. The wheel swap will be easier with no wiring required but you will still have to do variant code to enable the paddles. I do not have any info about what transmission module your car has. Does the bluetec have a different trans/trans module than regular? If so, I can't help you much. If it has same module, it should be the EGS53 transmission module for that year. I could probably find the proper variant code for you if its an EGS53.
I am in the States. Do you have a parts list or are you able to sell all the parts need to add paddle shifters to a 2004 E500 4matic and a program patch to upload to the car to make it work?
I am in the States. Do you have a parts list or are you able to sell all the parts need to add paddle shifters to a 2004 E500 4matic and a program patch to upload to the car to make it work?
Thank you for your help.
Hey Man, there's actually 2 different routes to take for this upgrade. You can either do 2003-2005 AMG wheel with paddles, or you can do a 2006-2009 Wheel with paddles. I would recommend the 2006+ option, because the upgraded clockspring is much sturdier than the pre 2006 ones.
I don't have exact part numbers, but I can give you a parts list for the way I did it.
Parts needed: NOTE: Take off you steering wheel and airbag, look at your clockspring. If it is translucent, then the only thing you will need is a steering wheel with paddles. Check your airbag. Looking from the back, on the left side, if you have 3 plugs (2 should be empty) then you do not need an airbag either. I say this because there are 2 different steering columns for w211s. My e320 needed to be upgraded. Your e500 might not.
2006+ AMG steering wheel with paddles and airbag
Steering column electronics - This would be a good purchase: link Edit: Part number that I used: A1714640518
Steering column wiring harness part number 2114404509
As far as the programming: Its a pretty difficult process but I'll leave a link to the write-up I did on BenzWorld for the specifics. You need to have a way to perform SCN coding. I have heard you can use STAR/DAS, but I found it easier to use Vediamo. You may be able to find someone in your area with the software necessary. The actual coding is not very hard, it just is hard to set up the software properly to perform the coding. It can be done through the OBDII port.
Hey Man, there's actually 2 different routes to take for this upgrade. You can either do 2003-2005 AMG wheel with paddles, or you can do a 2006-2009 Wheel with paddles. I would recommend the 2006+ option, because the upgraded clockspring is much sturdier than the pre 2006 ones.
I don't have exact part numbers, but I can give you a parts list for the way I did it.
Parts needed: NOTE: Take off you steering wheel and airbag, look at your clockspring. If it is translucent, then the only thing you will need is a steering wheel with paddles. Check your airbag. Looking from the back, on the left side, if you have 3 plugs (2 should be empty) then you do not need an airbag either. I say this because there are 2 different steering columns for w211s. My e320 needed to be upgraded. Your e500 might not.
2006+ AMG steering wheel with paddles and airbag
Steering column electronics - This would be a good purchase: link Edit: Part number that I used: A1714640518
Steering column wiring harness part number 2114404509
As far as the programming: Its a pretty difficult process but I'll leave a link to the write-up I did on BenzWorld for the specifics. You need to have a way to perform SCN coding. I have heard you can use STAR/DAS, but I found it easier to use Vediamo. You may be able to find someone in your area with the software necessary. The actual coding is not very hard, it just is hard to set up the software properly to perform the coding. It can be done through the OBDII port.
Hi all, I've got a facelifted w211 without shifter buttons and I have a wheel with paddle shifters. is there any rewiring I have to do and how do i do the scn coding?
Hi all, I've got a facelifted w211 without shifter buttons and I have a wheel with paddle shifters. is there any rewiring I have to do and how do i do the scn coding?
If the new wheel is also from a facelift car, there should not be any rewiring necessary. You will have to change the SCN code in the transmission module to enable paddle shifters. Will need either vediamo or STAR/DAS. I did a write up on benzworld with some more details.
If the new wheel is also from a facelift car, there should not be any rewiring necessary. You will have to change the SCN code in the transmission module to enable paddle shifters. Will need either vediamo or STAR/DAS. I did a write up on benzworld with some more details.
I have the 722.9 trans and I don't know how to do the scn coding. I've watched a few "Amazing Road" videos but they're not very helpful. Can you kind of walk me through the process of getting vediamo and other things i need to get to programming it? If i hand it over to the dealership will they do it for me for free? Thanks
Last edited by breadface; Sep 22, 2023 at 12:54 AM.
Reason: dealership option
I have the 722.9 trans and I don't know how to do the scn coding. I've watched a few "Amazing Road" videos but they're not very helpful. Can you kind of walk me through the process of getting vediamo and other things i need to get to programming it? If i hand it over to the dealership will they do it for me for free? Thanks
722.9 should be nearly identical to 722.6. I think it just uses the EGS53 module instead of the EGS52. The location of the bit to change for paddles might be different in the hex string. It is less complicated to do the actual coding than amazing road makes it look, you just have to change the right bit, and change the checksum at the end. It is harder to find all the files and get everything working than he makes it seem.
To summarize - you have to download a copy of vediamo, which should not be too hard to find. Then you have to find cracked files for it which is much harder to get. Then you'll have to find an OBD2 interface (J2534, or Mercedes C3 or C4). Then you have to configure it to work with your copy of vediamo, which is also difficult. Then you'll have to know which bytes to change, and to what values. I could probably give you the correct code if you get that far and can access the hex string for the transmission. It can be a lot of work if you don't have the equipment or know-how already.
Dealership won't help you with that. An indie might? There's also people out there who do these wheel conversions for others.
Here is a link to a writeup I did of the process. The coding section is at the bottom. It is a short summary, but if it sounds too complicated after reading it and watching it on amazing road it might be better to have an indie do it.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
