claytonookie1

I bought a ecm/ecu computer with numbers matching but the dealership says i cant swap them when i called about it. Are they lying? is this possible? I have a 2004 s430

corkshoppe

try it and see. i cant remember if ecu were vin specific.

claytonookie1

Well my 2004 s430 was hesitating at red lights to shift out of 2nd or 3rd gear? Then i got the pre-SAVE inactive msg. I was able to pull over each time and resart the car which worked (for a while). So i asked a mercedes mechanic to look at it and he hooked his scanner up to it etc to look at the codes. He was convinced it was a ecu/ecm problem. So i found one numbers matching on ebay and they said id probably have to take it to a dealership for reprograming since it came out of a 2004 CLK. ANYWAYS when i called the MB dealership they said you cant do that and that the vin numbers have to match etc etc? Then they proceded to tell me that it didnt sound like a ecu/ecm problem. They mentioned that it might be a transmission problem, but i dont speak mechanic and quickly forgot what exactly they said. Im supposed to take it in monday for them to take a look at it. Any help would be great! Im new to this forum and still figuring it all out.

robunicu

Unfortunately you will not be able to swap ECU's. I know at the dealer its a bit over 1000 for new ecu and programing. If indeed it is the ecu, you have an option to get ECU, Key fob and key and shifter from donor car and all should work well.. everything can be had for maybe 600. But i doubt you have ECU issue here..

claytonookie1

Yep they said i need a new transmission valve body. 1838 is what they quoted me at mb.

corkshoppe

you can change the valve body yourself and about 150, clean the ecu with a lot of maf cleaner will work fine i did it on 2 mercedes!

hitheck

To replace the ECU:

You need to replace the shifter, the EIS (key module and the donor car key) the ECU and SRS and cluster.

They are all VIN coded so replaceing them with donor car shift everything.
if you dont replace SRS and cluster, the car will start but will display no KM and SRS fault.

Your S430 as problem shifting, I would suggest you take a look at the transmission plug where oil may have spill and short things out. (mine did)

The plug and new seal is 19$ you can fin it anywhere from ebay. replace the oil and filter would be a good idea. if presafe show up, I would look at my ABS sensor and wheel bearing (rear).

hope this help you.

P.S.
There is also a way to swap only ECU if you can remove the 8 pin eproom from your ECU and put it on the new ECU, this way you transfert the imobilizer info, look at youtube on Swapping MB ECU.

tusabes

that's not quite correct
the four parts you need to swap are the key, ignition switch , shifter and ecu.

you don't need to change the srs (which is the airbag supplement restraint system ) or the cluster

NaijaBerry

Would this be the same for a 2008 W164 i.e. ECU, Key, EIS and ISM (shifter module)?

wallyp

While it is possible that a member of the W220 Forum might know about a W164, it isn't all that likely. You should have a much better chance of getting useful information on the proper forum.

NaijaBerry

Thanks Wally, I've searched quite a bit in the right forum, this is the closest I have seen to my issue, I'm thinking mercs of similar gens regardless of the model tends to have pretty similar if not the same electronics across different models.

So basically I just need to understand what to change when it comes to ECU swaps without going the new ecu/programming route which can be very costly and oftentimes futile.

tusabes

NaijaBerry

Thanks tusabes. Just for the benefit of others, the 4 part route is indeed the way to go but for the newer cars with a VGS, you will have to reprogram the TCM in the conductor plate apparently. I just got this info from some techs, that with the 4 part swap the car will start but the transmission will not work until you it is reprogramed into the loop.

Thanks again!

wallyp

Thanks for closing the loop! Sorry that we couldn't help.

Waking46227

When you say shifter do you mean the actual shifter assembly or the module in the passenger side floor well?

wallyp

The actual shifter assembly.

I am not familiar with a shifter module in the floor area - the TCM (Transmission Control Module) on the W220 is in the right SAM (Signal Acquisition Module).

Kebowers47

The reason you cannot just 'swap used parts' is because EU rules require auto manufacturers make their cars very difficult to steal, swap VIN's and then sell as legit. Mercedes has chosen several parts that were frequently swapped in thefts to make the stolen vehicles look 'genuine.'. Mercedes has hard coded these parts to work only with each other and their original VIN. All replacement parts must be new, are available only through 'factory authorized service centers', and only to verified owners and documented vehicle ownership.
Thus, for MBZ, the electronic key FOB must be factory hard coded for that specific VIN and the Owner ID, Vehicle VIN and VIN Ownership (title or other proof of ownership) must be visually confirmed by the ordering 'factory authorized service center.' AND complete records showing chain of custody, etc. retained for 6 years, because they are audited by MBZ at least every year to ensure compliance, with 'fees assessed' that go up to tens of thousands of $ to that Dealer etc if non-compliant. The electronic Ignition Module is not easy to change, 'talks to' several other synchronized modules, and is over $2000 and MUST be installed by the Dealer and the old one destroyed and retained. Same for the actual Gear Shift Mechanism and module and ALL the key locks. Losing both key FOBs can cost over $10,000 to 'restore.'

wallyp

It is feasible, both practically and economically, to swap the four "theft relevant" parts on the W220, using a complete set from a similar car. You will usually need to do some minor programming changes, using DAS (Diagnostic Assistance System), the dealer-level diagnostic and programming computer system. A matched set of parts is commonly available for a few hundred dollars from a salvage yard or thru eBay. Key fobs are usually available from the dealer for $200 - $300 each.

nishboo

I just purchased a EIS, ECU, Shifter + Key.

When its all connected and has good battery power, it has a SRS light, doesn't show mileage and won't start. The car is a 04 600. Anything I should check or does it have to be coded? I was under the assumption, if I switch all four parts, the car should fire right up and then I just clear codes.

Any help is appreciated!

Kebowers47

Unfortunately. MBZ has implemented EU anti-theft requirements by its own methods. Reliable substitution information is likely a Dealer Only procedure. All the mentioned parts are hard coded for the original VIN so everything else has to be swapped for parts from the donor car. I do not know what those parts are for the 221 car and the particular build it is. You need the 'build sheet', which lists all the options, modules, and versions thereof. It is quite possible that your car is unique. A very good Master Tech using the Dealer level software with access to the Factory Computers can figure things out. There MAY be independent techs out there who also can 'reprogram' the other components needing to be 'married' to make things work together.
Good luck and be sure to share your findings

wallyp

'04 600 what? Your profile shows a W222 S600 - that won't be an '04.

Have you considered that there might be another problem? Did you have a reliable diagnosis before you changed the parts?

nishboo

Sorry - I have multiple cars. This one is a 04 S600.

It had a miss when I bought it. Clark fixed all my coik, VT was fine, but replaced anyways. Still has a miss.

Starts up fine, but after 15 seconds of warming the cats, it goes into limp on 7-12. Checked codes (on SDS) - nothing indicated except multiple misfire p0300 etc. Changed 02 sensor, nothing changes.

Clark suggested to look at the ECU. Since I bought it with a miss, tried coils & vt, figured I would try an ECU. Most rebuilders say that they cant fix my ecu, and that it has to be cloned. They may have an issue cloning a bad ecu, so i bought this set on the Bay. Put it in and facing this issue.

Parts came from a TT S600 - 03-06.

As soon as i put key in, miles say "- - - - -". SRS light comes on. And cooling fans start up at high speed. Car will not crank.

I thought it was all plug and play - I guess not.

Appreciate the help so far, if you have any ideas, please feel free to share.

tim687

Have you got access to DAS?

If so, please read out the freeze frame data. It could also be as simple as a fuel pressure regulator, Secondary Air Injection malfunction or an injector not working as expected.

If you do want to proceed, please have a talk to @BenzNinja
I'm sure he'll be able to help you with the programming

wallyp

My first guess is that the eBay ECU is bad.

nishboo

Thank you. I do want to persue fixing it. This was my previous thread on it: https://mbworld.org/forums/s-class-w220/827669-2004-s600-cyl-1-6-misfire-after-3-seconds-starting-engine.html#post8562387

Yep - just opened up a case to send it back.