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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: Viral_Jim on 22 August 2024, 16:27:46

Title: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Viral_Jim on 22 August 2024, 16:27:46
Having built the Chrysler back up after swapping the alternator I am still getting no charge out of it. Further investigation shows that the cars Power Control Module (PCM) has packed up. Bit of a PITA as I have had to get a salvage one from the US in order to fix it. But, the bigger issue is getting it VIN coded to the car. The local specialist says they can't do it and nor can the (former) main dealer who now only do FIAT products.

I've called a couple of Merc garages as I would guess large chunks of the architecture must be shared with the W211 as they are essentially an identical drive train but they seem unwilling to take it on.

If anyone has any suggestions/advice, it would be greatly appreciated! I'm currently contemplating breaking the thing for spares  ;D.
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 22 August 2024, 17:27:59
Can you get hold of whatever the Chrysler equivalent of Star is :-\

Currently saving up for one to do the coding on the Proper car.

The procedure for VIN swapping ECUs is a long-winded but straight forward process. You might find a specialist who will try it, but either way it will be at your own risk.
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Viral_Jim on 22 August 2024, 17:40:18
Can you get hold of whatever the Chrysler equivalent of Star is :-\

Since chrysler quit the UK, this has become rather hard. Plus they were never that popular to begin with (this whole episode has made me hugely grateful I bought the Galaxy and not a grand voyager). Some people I've spoke to have said Star scan will work, others not. Information is incredibly thin on the ground sadly and the chrysler uk forum can go months between posts  ::).

You might find a specialist who will try it, but either way it will be at your own risk.

Currently the risk is nil, as atm I just have a big ugly lawn ornament. So worst case scenario is that that doesn't change. Even if it catches on fire there's the insurance money  :y
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: ronnyd on 22 August 2024, 19:31:33
Can you get hold of whatever the Chrysler equivalent of Star is :-\

Since chrysler quit the UK, this has become rather hard. Plus they were never that popular to begin with (this whole episode has made me hugely grateful I bought the Galaxy and not a grand voyager). Some people I've spoke to have said Star scan will work, others not. Information is incredibly thin on the ground sadly and the chrysler uk forum can go months between posts  ::).

You might find a specialist who will try it, but either way it will be at your own risk.

Currently the risk is nil, as atm I just have a big ugly lawn ornament. So worst case scenario is that that doesn't change. Even if it catches on fire there's the insurance money  :y
Just hope that your insurance company doesn't read this forum.  ;D
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 23 August 2024, 07:31:27
If its that tricky I would crack open the old one and have a scout for an EEPROM part, you might be able to read this and find where the VIN is using a basic cheap EEPROM programmer (Amazon or similar)
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Kevin Wood on 23 August 2024, 07:50:30
Another option: If it's only the alternator output from the PCM that has died, find out if you can get a conventional regulator that fits that alternator or bodge one to fit it.

Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 23 August 2024, 09:34:17
Several companies around the country who specialise in repairing ECU,s .
BBA REMAN are probably the best known, so might be worth starting with them.
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: TheBoy on 23 August 2024, 10:17:28
If its that tricky I would crack open the old one and have a scout for an EEPROM part, you might be able to read this and find where the VIN is using a basic cheap EEPROM programmer (Amazon or similar)
TB recalls his "birds nest" ponyprog ;D
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: henryd on 23 August 2024, 18:46:55
Several companies around the country who specialise in repairing ECU,s .
BBA REMAN are probably the best known, so might be worth starting with them.

I think BBA are gone, Ecu testing still about though
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 29 August 2024, 15:19:32
Several companies around the country who specialise in repairing ECU,s .
BBA REMAN are probably the best known, so might be worth starting with them.

I think BBA are gone, Ecu testing still about though

The main people setup a new company called Remanx  :y
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Nick W on 30 August 2024, 00:26:39
Several companies around the country who specialise in repairing ECU,s .
BBA REMAN are probably the best known, so might be worth starting with them.

I think BBA are gone, Ecu testing still about though

The main people setup a new company called Remanx  :y


That's right. They're still in Medway, just on a different site.
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Viral_Jim on 05 September 2024, 21:08:53
Firstly, thank you everyone for answering my Q and apologies for not replying sooner, we've been away on holiday and I've been constructively ignoring the yank tank until I got back. The replacement part is somewhere in/over the Atlantic so I will have to tackle the issue soon.

If its that tricky I would crack open the old one and have a scout for an EEPROM part, you might be able to read this and find where the VIN is using a basic cheap EEPROM programmer (Amazon or similar)

This sounds like doing a thing, but honestly I didn't even understand some of the words you used so I feel this would be a project all its own. I will take it on if no other option presents itself, and you may expect a PM if I do!  :P

Another option: If it's only the alternator output from the PCM that has died, find out if you can get a conventional regulator that fits that alternator or bodge one to fit it.



Unfortunately the PCM talks to a number of other modules so it has also thrown an EML. So to effect the bodge I would also have to wire the check engine light into the oil pressure light (or similar) which I feel goes beyond bodge and into rather dishonest territory!

Several companies around the country who specialise in repairing ECU,s .
BBA REMAN are probably the best known, so might be worth starting with them.

This is where I think I will go tbh. I feel like they should be able to either repair (potentially using components from the one that's coming) or reflash the US part.

In any event I will report back as the misadventure continues.
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 10 September 2024, 15:57:46
Apologies for not recalling this sooner, but...

If the replacement ECU can't be coded to the car, then you need the following items from the same vehicle, be it a 300C or E350cdi of similar vintage...

EIS (ignition switch)
Engine ECU
Gear selector
Key(s)
Door/boot lock barrels.

That lot should be plug and play and if the W220 is representative, an easy afternoon's work :y
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Viral_Jim on 13 September 2024, 00:15:05
Thanks for that  :y

I had some other bits I wanted from the US so I only ended up shipping all the items from the forwarding company this week.so no progress as yet.

Is the dash cluster not required to make the swap?
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 September 2024, 04:51:38
Thanks for that  :y

I had some other bits I wanted from the US so I only ended up shipping all the items from the forwarding company this week.so no progress as yet.

Is the dash cluster not required to make the swap?
Not in my experience with the W220 :-\
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 13 September 2024, 06:24:55
Thanks for that  :y

I had some other bits I wanted from the US so I only ended up shipping all the items from the forwarding company this week.so no progress as yet.

Is the dash cluster not required to make the swap?
Was the V6 diesel available in the US?

Be a shame to order a load of parts only to find out they're for the 3.6 Penta Star...
Title: Re: VIN Coding - Mercedes / Chrysler 300c
Post by: Viral_Jim on 13 September 2024, 13:10:35
I don't believe so, but the PCM is a common/shared part with a whole host of other Chrysler/dodge stuff and is independent of the power plant except in how its setup & what modules it talks to eg. it talks to the Mercedes derived glow plug module which is obviously derv specific. This is why it needs to be flashed rather than just plug and play.  :y