2003 E55 ECU flash...another mad owner!
As a transmission tech and shop owner I am always looking for technical information which would aid me in diagnosing my customers’ drivability complaints, in doing so I found this. A MB training technical document.
Flashing and Software Calibration Number ( SCN)
“SCN coding identifies control unit software and coding conforming to vehicle”
SCN is required
* After flashing Fuel control unit (ME) or Electronic transmission controller *
After replacement of ME or ETC
Required by law, can be find if not done
Vehicle may not function correctly if not preformed
* Prevents after market performance enchantments*
In Future additional control modules will require SCN coding
They are also scanning for transmission control module performance enchantments
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this is scary....
The cars are definately fast. I just think they could be faster with the correct tune.
I think its much like the whole viper cream puff issue. 1996-1999 Vipers were more stout then the 2000-2002 versions. The 96-99s had forged pistons and lumpy cam and so forth. The 2000-2002s had cast pistons and mellow cam, although both cars pretty much made the same power.
I know were have the same cars..just the "tune" is different. But basically its the same thing.
later,
dave
PS...i'm hungry, I could use some kabob.
I need to go get something to eat. The cars are definately fast. I just think they could be faster with the correct tune.
I think its much like the whole viper cream puff issue. 1996-1999 Vipers were more stout then the 2000-2002 versions. The 96-99s had forged pistons and lumpy cam and so forth. The 2000-2002s had cast pistons and mellow cam, although both cars pretty much made the same power.
I know were have the same cars..just the "tune" is different. But basically its the same thing.
later,
dave
PS...i'm hungry, I could use some kabob.
I need to go get something to eat.............Here is the link to the info o the 07 G55. http://www.mercedesbenzone.com/archi...68kW_500hp.htm
Ted
1st...the traction control now lets the car spin the tires 3-4 FULL revolutions BEFORE it engages. Before it would kill the car with maybe 1-2 revolutions. It used to be more agressive with the pulling of spark and fuel. It seems like its easier to get it out of the hole.
2nd...the shift point seems higher then before. It now spins up to 68-6900rpms in 2nd and 3rd. I actually ran into the rev limiter when i was driving the dog **** out of it.
3rd...the car is very soft out of the hole. It used to be really jerky with 1/4 throttle take offs. Not so much anymore.
4th...Mid range and upper end HP and torque is soft. It really feels like 2-3 degrees or maybe more have been pulled throughout the RPM range.
5th...During 4th to 2nd gear kick downs is softened, its not as violent and its not as rapid.
Overall..i think 2003 and 2004 PRE FLASHED Ecu car will stomp a mudhole in 2005 and 2006. The reason I say this is because my friend that helped me find this car, and used to be on this forum until he traded in his 2005 E55 for a different car, I drove his 2005 many times before I bought mine and his always felt soft. His car was fast..but it didn't have the "hard edge" mine DID.
I don't know...maybe I'll do the Kleemann K4 upgrade sooner than I thought.
later,
dave
I do agree torque is down after reflash and I would like old performance back, but let's not get ridiculous about where we started from.
I do agree torque is down after reflash and I would like old performance back, but let's not get ridiculous about where we started from.
There is no rediculous to it, it may have to do with your ESP mode. We only claim to SMOKE the tires when the ESP mode is off (i.e. light is on). If your car can't literally smoke the tires through first gear and into second, then you are off. Simple. The only time the portion of esp that can not be turned off by the button kicks in is when you start doing dounts. I can get about 1 1/2 circles before it intervenes, ut by then it is still quite a cloud of smoke. If yu need to get an idea of what we are saying, look at the OT section for the arab video of a white E55 just smoking tires all over a parking lot w/ dyno mode on.
I do agree torque is down after reflash and I would like old performance back, but let's not get ridiculous about where we started from.
Gotta agree with Coalman.... I have K2 and my tires spin/chirp and ESP will intervene. At 60mph my tires won't spin (because of ESP) but the car will definitely break lose and feel like it is hydroplanning. Maybe that is what he is referring to? When ESP is off it is a whole different story. At 60mph in in the right gear, my tires will definitely spin.
BTW -- nice supra DKM. I live in Vegas also and would love to check that Supra out sometime.
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
............Here is the link to the info o the 07 G55. http://www.mercedesbenzone.com/archi...68kW_500hp.htm
Ted
Agreed on the G. i am looking at a new G500 and considerd a used G55 instead. Not interested in the '07 myself.
And about installing the old software. That's impossible.
My suggestion, kick your advisor in the ***** and get somebody new.
It is very possible to load the original software the car was built with, but not by an MB dealer, simply because they don't read and save the OE software before doing the re-flash. They simply write over the OE software.
So, why are they reflashing? The air pump in these cars stays on for 120 seconds after a cold start to help light-off the primary catalysts. These air pumps are notorious for going bad after 3-4 years (some fail far earlier than that), and MB is tired of replacing them under warranty. The "main" purpose of this reflash is an attempt to get the air pump to last longer. They are also replacing the relay with one that triggers at a higher voltage as well. As for the decrease in performance most are experiencing, that secret lies with MB.
As for the SCN coding- that has nothing to do with this. The SCN code is what marries a specific ECU to a specific car, and tells it what equipment the car is built with, emissions equipment, engine, etc. Only when a NEW ECU is installed must it be SCN coded. The SCN code is specific to VIN number, not EPROM files. Furthermore, it is not possible to install a used ECU from one car into another for permanant use.

Nice Spura. Have you ever run a certain 996tt (of the Protomotive persuasion) in Las Vegas with your Supra?? Or better yet his (Alex) new Supra? That Pcar is a beast. I have never seen a faster street car in my life. I hear his Supra is just as nasty.
I'd love to have a go with any car that could possibly hang with my car.
I want a Porsche..I've been looking for a GT2. I want a red one though. I know it'll never be faster that my supra but just the look makes me crazy.
later,
dave
Nice Spura. Have you ever run a certain 996tt (of the Protomotive persuasion) in Las Vegas with your Supra?? Or better yet his (Alex) new Supra? That Pcar is a beast. I have never seen a faster street car in my life. I hear his Supra is just as nasty.
I'd love to have a go with any car that could possibly hang with my car.
I want a Porsche..I've been looking for a GT2. I want a red one though. I know it'll never be faster that my supra but just the look makes me crazy.
later,
dave
http://videos.streetfire.net/search/...1210FE2FF3.htm
Look for this car:
under the hood:
Last edited by L8Apex; Aug 5, 2006 at 11:56 AM.
It is very possible to load the original software the car was built with, but not by an MB dealer, simply because they don't read and save the OE software before doing the re-flash. They simply write over the OE software.
So, why are they reflashing? The air pump in these cars stays on for 120 seconds after a cold start to help light-off the primary catalysts. These air pumps are notorious for going bad after 3-4 years (some fail far earlier than that), and MB is tired of replacing them under warranty. The "main" purpose of this reflash is an attempt to get the air pump to last longer. They are also replacing the relay with one that triggers at a higher voltage as well. As for the decrease in performance most are experiencing, that secret lies with MB.
As for the SCN coding- that has nothing to do with this. The SCN code is what marries a specific ECU to a specific car, and tells it what equipment the car is built with, emissions equipment, engine, etc. Only when a NEW ECU is installed must it be SCN coded. The SCN code is specific to VIN number, not EPROM files. Furthermore, it is not possible to install a used ECU from one car into another for permanant use.
Last edited by chiromikey; Aug 5, 2006 at 12:01 PM.
There's a huge underestimation in Las Vegas, people think since its still a small town (relatively) that we don't have anything worthy. I can think of at least 5 other cars in this town that make over 1200rwhp and are driven and enjoyed. I can also name at least 10-15 other cars that range from 1000-1180rwhp.
So if someone thinks they can come to our backyard and bully us around..they're sorely mistaken.
He should bring the car out on a sunday morning where everyone meets up to play. We'll see how fast that 996 really is. No disrespect but a lot of us here in Vegas hear how fast their friends cars are and nothing pans out.
pm me if he wants to come up
later,
dave
Last edited by DKM; Aug 5, 2006 at 12:44 PM.
There's a huge underestimation in Las Vegas, people think since its still a small town (relatively) that we don't have anything worthy. I can think of at least 5 other cars in this town that make over 1200rwhp and are driven and enjoyed. I can also name at least 10-15 other cars that range from 1000-1180rwhp.
So if someone thinks they can come to our backyard and bully us around..they're sorely mistaken.
He should bring the car out on a sunday morning where everyone meets up to play. We'll see how fast that 996 really is. No disrespect but a lot of us here in Vegas hear how fast their friends cars are and nothing pans out.
pm me if he wants to come up
later,
dave
Who knows though...I've heard a few theories while reading this forum and a couple make sense and a couple don't.
later,
dave
What do you think?
It is very possible to load the original software the car was built with, but not by an MB dealer, simply because they don't read and save the OE software before doing the re-flash. They simply write over the OE software.
So, why are they reflashing? The air pump in these cars stays on for 120 seconds after a cold start to help light-off the primary catalysts. These air pumps are notorious for going bad after 3-4 years (some fail far earlier than that), and MB is tired of replacing them under warranty. The "main" purpose of this reflash is an attempt to get the air pump to last longer. They are also replacing the relay with one that triggers at a higher voltage as well. As for the decrease in performance most are experiencing, that secret lies with MB.
As for the SCN coding- that has nothing to do with this. The SCN code is what marries a specific ECU to a specific car, and tells it what equipment the car is built with, emissions equipment, engine, etc. Only when a NEW ECU is installed must it be SCN coded. The SCN code is specific to VIN number, not EPROM files. Furthermore, it is not possible to install a used ECU from one car into another for permanant use.
...........I can vouch for Cory's explanation regarding SCN coding since did buy a brand new ECU from Germany that had to be SCN coded for my VIN. The ECU is sitting in my garage now and not useful to anyone else.
..........there is a company that can unmarry an ECU from a VIN. The name of the company excapes me. They are located in Portland, I think. I have talked to the owner and the problem is that they are only able to do 2002 cars and earlier. The reason I was told is that it takes a lot of time for them to figure out the ECU's as new cars get produced so the process is 3 years behind.
..........You can also buy an aftermarket ECU for your car for less than half the price from a dealer. I have also talked to the company and they do infact have aftermarket ECU's for Mercedes but again they are 3 years behind. Here is a link to the company. http://www.ecudirect.com/finditfast/
......If you want to modify your car, do so. Just don't let the dealer flash your ECU. Why anyone will have their ECU flashed by the dealer at this point escapes my intelligence. If the dealer does it despite your refusal, I think you have a case if you wish to pursue it legally. It is afterall your car. Beyond that, you can probably have your ECU flashed back to one of the original pre-recall MB programs, thus eliminating the recall program. This can be done by a reputable tuner like Kleemann, not the dealer.
Ted
Last edited by Ted Baldwin; Aug 5, 2006 at 05:04 PM.
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Can anyone verify this?
Good luck.


