I've been thinking about picking up a used ECU identical to the MB part number of the one already in my car. So I removed my car's ECU and recorded both the MB and Bosch part numbers of the unit. Problem is, so far, the only ones I can find are from a different model MB (i.e., same control unit MB part number, just coded for a different specific model).

So my question is - is it possible to completely re-code / flash a used unit to make it 100% identical in coding to my existing car's ECU?

A used ECU is much more in the range I'm willing to spend than a new one.

 

I always thought that the ECU's were 'married' to a particular vehicle, for lack of a better term. You can purchase a new one and marry it to your vehicle to create a harem, but I don't think it'll let you add a used ECU, or have an 'affair'.

 

Almost 100% sure on this one.

ECUs come out of Germany coded for your VIN#.

Unless somebody has come up with something new, just no way to re-marry an ECU to another VIN.

Sorry for the bad news.

 

On 63's you can purchase "blank" ECU's that are not married to any VIN ( I have done this, without supplying my VIN#), however, before the new ECU will accept any tune you need to bring that ECU and your car into the dealership for VIN initialazation to be performed, this is the code that then marries that ECU with that specific car. I was told that the VIN initalazation can be reversed and removed and the ECU can be used on a different car. I have not tried this nor can I confirm it's accuracy, but that is what the AMG tech at my dealership who VIN initialized my NOS ECU told me.

 

That's bad news if it's factual. So then are the "new" ECUs for 55Ks pre-coded with VIN info, or are they blank and then coded by the dealership?

There's no reason to marry the ECU to the VIN unless the ECU is also used to store the odometer reading.

 

If an ECU at some point is blank, then whether it is initialized by the dealership or at the factory, I would think it can always be re-intiaialized with another VIN for another vehicle

By the way, Mercedes is becoming more and more strict in terms of ECUs ordered, and I understand as of November 2008, they require a separate form for ordered ECUs.

 

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