Just wanted to share and write a brief summary that it is possible to replace an ECU / ECM with another used one rather than spending $1k for a new one.

This is my experience on a 2007 E350 with an M272 where I had hard fault codes that would not clear due to a faulty ECU. From what I understand this is caused because the ECU sits on top of the motor and causes some ground faults.

• 0218 M16/6 (Throttle valve actuator) : The throttle valve is jamming or is stiff. (P2176)
• 1337 Alternator serial interface Current and stored
• 0443 Heating of component G3/4 (Right O2 sensor, before TWC [KAT]) : Open circuit (P0030)
• 0447 Heating of component G3/3 (Left O2 sensor, before TWC [KAT]) : Open circuit (P0050)
• 0228 M16/6 (Throttle valve actuator) : Throttle valve jamming (iced up) (P0638)

You will need:
Replacement Part # (I used the latest version for my vehicle listed in EPC from a junk yard found via car-part.com) I replaced a A2721533291 with A2721535191.
STAR DAS
Vediamo (optional but makes it easier)
XGecu TL866II Plus and ICSP SPI driver adapter with SOP8 test clip and ICSP cable. (there are other ways, however this was the easiest way by not having to remove and solder chips from the ECU board) -- $100 with every microchip adapter you could ever use, or about $50 for just what you need.

Basically you still have to reprogram the replacement ECU so that it can be programmed to your car. This entails, changing the VIN, removing Personalization and Activation -- also called virginizing. You have to have a virgin or new ECU and no other ways around it. If you can find a program to deactivate activation via the OBDII port, then you wouldn't have to open up the computer but I was unable to find anything in Vediamo to deactivate, only to activate. You can use XGecu TL866II Plus to connect to the M95080 chip on the motherboard without removing the chip, change a few bytes, and viola -- you have a reset computer that thinks it was never used in a car.

As far as I know everywhere else that has information on this states you have to desolder the 95080 chip from the board, reprogram it, then solder it back on. They also state you cannot reprogram the chip inline, however I was successful doing it with the chip still on the board. There was also a lot of guessing on the actual steps that were needed so wrote this up.

You then use Vediamo and/or DAS to transfer the original programming and VIN to the replacement ECU.
You use DAS to relearn the replacement ECU to your vehicle

Detailed steps attached and a few pics below.

 

This is awesome! Thank you for compiling this information!