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[Viral_Jim]

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  .

[Doctor Gollum]

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.

[Viral_Jim]

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 

[ronnyd]

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 

Just hope that your insurance company doesn't read this forum. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

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)

[Kevin Wood]

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.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

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.

[TheBoy]

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

[henryd]

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

[Marks DTM Calib]

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 

[Nick W]

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 

That's right. They're still in Medway, just on a different site.

[Viral_Jim]

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! 

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.

[Doctor Gollum]

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

[Viral_Jim]

Thanks for that 

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?

[Doctor Gollum]

Thanks for that 

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