Guys: is an "ECU flash" something we ask for when we take our cars in for service? In other words, is it like "ok, I need state inspection, Service "B", check for alignment, ...oh and, give me an ECU flash too." ???

My service adviser said it was needed only "when there is a problem" as in "when there is a specific problem, we look it up to see if a software update can fix the problem."

I am new to this, but the way I have been interpreting a lot of entries on this forum is that the ECU flash is something that should be done on regular basis to make sure engine and other components are tuned/up to date, etc.

Pardon my "newness-dumb-***-question" but help out a brotha.

Thanks

 

Just think of flashing as computer updates to your home pc.

Ya know when you see your computer pop up "new updates are ready for install", it's basically the same thing. When Benz revises their software for whatever reason, the Star unit let's the tech know that they should update your car when they connect to your car.

You may go several times to the dealer and no software update necessary. In some cases when a customer has a voodoo type problem, they can "reload" the ecu kinda like wiping our your hard drive and reformatting hoping to solve the problem.

So to answer your question, flashing the ecu each time you go to your dealer would do nothing to improve performance. It would basically be reloading the same software you already have each time. The biggest controversy we have had, which recently has been proven by Vadim, was that Benz included a software update that added limiters to the 55 cars performance just in time for the release of the 63 cars. They placed load limiters in secret places of the ECU and many members reported drastic reductions in power.

Any other questions, just let us know.

 

Thanks Jakpro1: you always have excellent answers.

Wow, the "load limiters ECU" you mention scares me. How can I know if this was done to my 55? Mine is a 2006, placed in service new during summer '06; I bought it CPO summer of '07.

Thanks again.

 

If you have your VIN you could probably take it back to your SA and ask for a service run of everything done to the car @ MB.

PS...Understanding what all the stuff on those service reports is another matter. If the SA can't explain then you could probably bring back to the board and let the more versed in technical jargon figure it out.

 

When you talk to your SA, see if you had the "secondary air injection pump" campaign done. If you have, you have the dreaded "load limits".

 

Thanks bro. I will definitely check this out.

 

Kris, The MB dealers are paid well to detune the 55 AKA "Air Injection Pump Relay". If your car was at a MB dealer any time after April 06 you have been flashed, they are compelled to do it by MB. For the most part the flash knocks about 30 to 40 RWHP out of the 55, and this just so happens to level the field regarding the 63. VRP can reverse the MB flash as I am sure you have heard.

Required reading, https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/227575-dyno-disappointment.html

 

Thank you Yacht Master

This is discouraging, if I am understanding you correctly: that MB would detune our E55 so that their then-new market entry, the E63, would compare favorably, is so lame. Their reasoning is scary: "let's reduce the performance of what is already out there, so our new car seems even better..."

But again, my assessment is dependent upon my understanding correctly what you are saying.

thnx

p.s.: oh, and let me guess: having someone (VRP) reverse the ECU flash voids my MB warranty?

 

Only the warranty on the ECU and anything that the ECU related flash may damage as a direct result.

 

We have been through this a few times, and there is still no consensus on this point. I know I had the secondary air injection pump recall done, but it did not affect my car's performance. Does that mean that the load limit was not installed as part of the ECU flash? No idea.

BTW - I have a standing order with my SA not to flash my car without my approval.

 

Just got off the phone with my SA and sure enough mine was done April 06. And he confirms that MB was paying dealers to have it done.

 

Thanks Enzom: I thought I was going crazy, b/c I couldn't synthesize a consistent answer from the various threads and entries about this topic.

I am going to do the same request with my Service Adviser.

Thanks again.

 

Wow. It just strikes me as very strange: MB corporate to dealer: "I will pay you to reduce the power in the E55, without telling the customer that is what you are doing to his car...." Freakish actually.

I spoke with my SA today about this and he said that dealer does not do it; he didn't know much about it, so not sure if I am getting good info from him. But he agreed to print out my car's entire service history, so hopefully getting that tomorrow will tell the tale.

Thanks for feedback.

 

Yes freakish and total crap...

Many E55's (thousands) have had this done and only a handfull of people have had a problem.

I am not saying those people didn't have some issue.....but more people (thousands) never had an issue than did.

No problem with both of my E55's after the recall campaign. In fact my cars may have run better.....

As a new owner, don't get too freaked out.

 

Me to, after i picked up my 04 e55 it seem to run a hell alot faster and still does to this day.

 

........this topic gets confusing to some. Regardless of what you believe about the load limit issue, you do NOT want to have the dealer routinely flash your ECU if your car is not having any problems.


.......as to the load limit issue. Ok, lets try this again. Folks that doubt it should understand that this is a LOAD LIMIT. If your car is not modified to the point that reaches or exceeds the LIMIT, then of course you WILL NOT have a problem. Simply saying that I had my car dealer flashed and nothing happened adds nothing to the conversation.

.......Secondly, those that have modified cars will have to have dynoed their cars before and after the flash with a/f ratios in other to discover the problem. Many did not. I DID. What I noticed was at high boost, the ECU dumps full to protect the engine. This of course is a good thing. Except when you compare your before and after dyno's. I had a friend go into DAs and found the load limit and I printed it out and posted it on this forum. There is NO question!

......what I'm not clear on is the idea that MB did this on purpose to slow down the 55's. It is probably more to do with engine protection.

........the newer cars 06 and onwards were not affected presumably because the ECU's already came with the "correct" program.

.......the only unresolved issue is those with MODIFIED cars who never dynoed their cars but had et's before and after the flash that were unchanged. We do not know at what point relative to the LOAD LIMIT these cars are operating in. However, this has caused me to change my opinion regarding the reason for the load limit as more to do with engine protection than a conspiracy to slow down the 55's. Howver, the existence of the load limit is from my point of view without any doubt.

Ted

 

Very well put. Thanks Ted!

 

It all depends what relationship you have with your service adviser and tech. For example it can show flashed on the work order and vehicle history and have only the relay changed.

 

Ted - Thanks. I thought that at some point during the fray, people with unmodified cars were complaining that their cars felt much slower after the flash. I thought some said the car got better after a few hundred miles. Maybe my recollection is wrong.

Now here is the question - let's assume I decide to keep my E55 and have it modified (cooling, headers, ECU and pulley), am I wasting my time because of (a) the embedded load limits of the ECU or (b) the alleged current inability of tuners to write a tune for a flashed ECU.

Not trying to put you on the spot, but you are one of the most knowledgable on the subject, and I very much value your views on these things.

Thanks again.

 

Great information and insight, guys (Ensom, Ted, etc.)

Thanks for taking the time to write. Mine is an non-modded 2006 so I am going to let this issue go and not worry about it. My SA said he would be happy to print out my entire service history, which I will retrieve today when picking up the car (needed a replaced air pump for the dynamic seats, warranty).

If I see anything relevant on the service history, I will scan and upload.

Thanks again.

 

I strongly agree that this is much more likely intended to reduce warranty claims from modded cars versus a sinister plot to slow down the '55 compared to the '63.

 

It was done because the trannys on the higher mileage E55s started to drop and most had mods.I won't name names, but it was a specific tuner more than others. At any rate, they were seeing the trannys drop at about 40K miles on hard driven cars and 60K on just normal cars. The only reason they noted it is because the modded ones fail under warranty, while the "normal" ones go just past. As usual, a bean counter caught it and not some exec. That is why my best contact is an MBUSA VP of financing.
From what I understand, it is the TQ converter. That is why I have been so curious to find a way around that anyway. I want to mod the car and I know that is the weak link for now.