What happens to the programming and functionality if MB has a software update? I got all the RJ programming a couple years ago and promptly lost the functionality my first service visit.

 

I thought I was the only one losing the RJ programming after service visits. Sad!

 

My RJA coding has survived two major dealer programmings.

Contact RJ and see if he'll redo your codes.

 

Your RJA coding was updated into your VIN Data Card?

 

Yes, I did and they fixed it last time. But it is a pain to set up a call, connect a laptop to a car, and get the recording done.

I don't know. Is there a way for me to figure it out?

 

I would assume only Mercedes could modify a VIN datacard. How would a programmer (or even a dealer) be able to do that?

 

You can ask dealer for current status of your Data Card. Or you can PM or post your VIN

 

What is a VIN data card?
Can it be changed?

 

https://www.lastvin.com/

But this is not in real time,

As any dealership can add or delete some equipment from any MB cars, the Data Card can differ in time.


Of course if your car received some codings that's not re-documented into the Mercedes Server - Data Card, then if you will receive an update on the same coded module, as server didn't know about your new settings, the default coding will be uploaded.

If you receive a "major" update to engine and your IHC was retrofitted by a coder, no changes will occur. But if you receive an update on windscreen camera, the IHC will be deleted of course.



​​​

 

Do you know if coders like elebest, RJ and BenzNinja are able to edit VIN datacards? I would assume MB would not let that system be easily penetrated like that.

 

First, not any codes can be added/deleted.

Tempomat or Rear View Camera can be added, Instrument Cluster language can be added or deleted, but Distronic or AMG design style on a diesel car will never be accepted.

I don't know RJ, but Elebest is the only seller here that's has the knowledge and correct procedures.

Also, as the IHC example or for Carplay activation if the dealer delete those, the coder can enable again.

It's the same for any tuning company, even if you pay 10K for a platinum software, any dealership can delete this with a 2 minute patch,

 

I think one of the big issues here is re-coding after the codes are lost. IMO this is something that a coder should offer, or at least for a smaller fee. BenzNinja does offer that, but he doesn't code the W223, and I don't know about RJ. When Elebest coded my W223 he did a great job, but I asked what would happen if the dealer were to do an update and I was to lose the coding and he said that I would have to pay for the coding the same all over again. I went ahead and did it because I wanted the ILS, but I would be lying if I said the thought of having to pay hundreds and hundreds every time the car goes in for service is not appealing. I am told that the ILS normally hangs on even though the option in the menu goes away, but the other coding I had done (starting in individual mode) likely would not. I would have had more coding done if I wasn't pretty sure the first service visit would wipe it all out.

Personally whatever coder will offer to re-code at no or much less cost if the coding gets erased would get my business.

 

Can you tell me what a VIN Data Card is? I already know what my VIN is, but thanks for the link anyway.
Can a coder change my equipment? Why?
What's an IHC?

 

I believe they're talking about what options the MB Systems believe your car is equipped with. This is how the MB systems determine what variant coding to apply to a module when a replacement is installed. I doubt the coders can change this in the MB systems but can change things directly on the modules, enabling ILS+ for example.

I also believe IHC is Intelligent Headlight Control.

 

Thanks for the interpretation of IHC. I had RJA code mine soon after purchase.

I still don't understand people talking about coders changing their data card. It's as if somebody could step in and change my 21-In wheels to 20s. Makes no sense at all to me.

It was probably just that coder hater guy who disparages professional coders like RJ, as well as people who purchase code readers. It's the Internet.

 

I started from your message,

As I already explained, there are only 2 possibility for not loosing the coding's.

1 - Your new options are redocumented into your VIN Data Card
2 - "major dealer programming " was not so major and it was not related with none of the modules implied on the respective coding.

What hate?

 

Yeah I can't imagine any coder, even elebest, having the ability to freely edit a VIN card though. Otherwise, I'd ask him to change that E to an S and add 20 to the last 3 model digits of my GLE 580's VIN Data Card. Then I'll take my car to the dealer and tell them I'm missing a ton of parts based on my data card so can you please add them.

 

I have many years of experience, I can help you to understand.

Read the post #61

 

Thanks for that link.

Comment (again): Please review the offerings of the other coders you disparage, before you disparage them. That would be the hater part I spoke of.
It speaks to your credibility.

 

As my translator "disparage", seems very rude for a Latin language, but may be just semantics.. I respect everyone.

If I offended someone, please accept my apologies. I just praised @EleBest .

 

Off topic:
Now I wait for the Christmas together with my mother in my home country - Latin origin - but I live in Spain ( very Latin culture), my son study Computer Science at Cambridge UK,, I drove w213 diesel, I prefer Italian Chianina beef over Spanish rubia gallega, but only with the red wine from Ribera del Duero.

I am not selling anything here, just sharing from my experience, yet.
Here in EU we offer remote assistance, but only for the workshops, not directly to final clients.

To be on topic, although we are humble, the tallest, smartest and healthiest and no one can compete....@Elebest it's still the best!

Besides the rudeness, disparagement it's a crime all over the Western world.

 

I have nothing against elebest nor you, quite the contrary actually with Elebest because I'm hoping he will come up with a full screen android auto solution similar to this CP solution that the OP has already installed, and I'm very interested in his PAAK (phone-as-a-key) box.

​I just don't understand how he can edit a data card without being a dealer. I don't think your comments have answered this. What dealer software allows this?

 

From where do you understand that I claim what he can or can't do?

I can, but if you ask me again to change E to S, I would respectfully ask you to read again #61

 

I read 61 again. You state this:
"Elebest is the only seller here that's has the knowledge and correct procedures"

Saying "correct procedures" while we are on the topic of updating data cards made me think that his coding doesn't get erased by dealer updates because he performs "correct procedures" in order to prevent it. If you did not mean this then I apologize for misunderstanding and we can move on.

 

No, my meaning regarding "correct procedures" is related to his way of doing retrofits/coding's. He always make a project based on the current Data Card - car specific options - so he has a holistic approach, considering complex logic of dependencies between SA Codes/Packages and Hardware/Software variants of the modules involved.

Being trained to use high level information from WIS and other MB programs like Vedok where coder can find deep information about HW/SW history, he ( like me ) does not need to do "trial and error" or to take out the seat to check if the Parkman has connector for Rear Camera or not.

In WIS, there is a chapter for Retrofit and Modification, of course with limited options. But here you can start to learn how a correct procedure can be used instead of copy/paste coding for IHC+ from a completely different EU car. Most US headlights does not have installed LED's for Cornering lights - so ABBL signal should always be deactivated.

Also in WIS you can find any combination of how different options exchange information's on CAN network.

Like any job, retrofit can be done with "certified hardware", "exclusively created mods" or based on real schematics and procedures.

Updating the Data Card is not always possible and this is normal, as is absurd to be possible to change from E to S. But is also absurd to install a Rear Camera or Tempomat for a client and only because the coder refuse to pay any license to not add the codes into the Data Card.
Xentry legit has button for Retrofit as well.

Retrofit it's a job, like any job. Imagine if I become aggressive because I didn't know details about your job. And because I am not trained for your job, I am entitled to claim that your job can't be done as I thought so reading open forums or watching Youtube...

In Europe we have:

https://adana.de/Auth/login

This is MB legit third party for complex retrofit, of course they are "stealers" if you read some certified sellers of copyrighted "own" software's.

Nobody is perfect, some coding's can be done even at home with 20$ Openport and hacked for personal use SW's, understanding as much as possible can filter and limit the expectations and disappointments.