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Hello Guys,the tcu on my 2000 s430 got wet and I was told i need a replacement (car would not start or come out of gear). since i cant afford a new programmed one from the dealer i had to find one from a salvage shop out of state. it is the same part number out of another s430 from early 2000 which matches my model.can or will this part need to be flashed.Ive gotten the story that they cant flash anything to my car because they need the code off of my old part and it is not giving it to them......not sure if that is true as they have lost their credibility for other reasons. Also they put some sort of oil on the old one when cleaning it....but im wondering if that is normal or savatoge. basically they were caught lieing to me several times so now i am having trouble believing anything they say.I have the used replacement part in hand and need to head over there now and was hoping yous can help.also is it protocal to disconnect the battery before pluging in the replacement tcu or is that not really necessary?thanksD
Country: United StatesMake: Mercedes-BenzModel: s430Year: 2000
Hi, a used transmission control module from the same vehicle will not need to be programmed to your car.
You should be able to simply swap the modules.
As long as the key is turned off there is no need to disconnect the battery when replacing the module.
could you please reply in more detail
Basically this module is not married to your vehicle by the VIN number the way that the engine control module is.
As long as the part numbers match you will be fine.
is there a proper procedure when disconnecting the old and adding the new?
No, it is a simple swap out.
ok im gonna leave this window open and be back in an hour with questions. I have gotten so many confusung stories. appreciate your help and hopefully be back to give you credit.
I understand, it can be confusing when it comes to the modules on the Mercedes.
especially when everyone would prefer to sell you a new one for 4 times the price of used
I think you can get rebuilts from Mercedes now for around $500
thats good to know, but they keep telling me they cant flash anything to my car because they cant get a required code off of the old tcu......this is where i start to get confused and am wondering if i am being lied to.
They can program without the old ecu if they have Star Diagnosis but there is no programming needed for the tcu.
without the old tcu? or ecu?
On an ecu they can program a fresh one with Star Diagnosis. On the tcu they don't need to program it.
is star diagnosis when the tech logs into the computer and goes back and forth on the phone?
before i go to the shop one more quick question....this is the second used tcu i am going there with. the first one was a different part number that was supposed to be compatible...but it wouldnt let the car start and when they jumed it in the fuse box to start it, the transmission clearly wasnt getting the correct info....the tech said it went into 1st immediately. should i assume it was just since the part was not exact part number and i should not have an issue using the same exact part number like i have now?
I think that is probably the case. I was just reading some info on the tcu that I want to verify. Can you post your VIN number for me?
yes one second
wdbng70j3ya109852
Did you get an 026 545 77 32 control unit?
a0225455132
thats the old one
and all auto auctions confirm it is for the s430
the mechanic said i have the older 2.0 computer
Ok, is that also the number on the used tcu that you purchased?
yes
the first used one had a different part number but dont have it in front of me
Ok, give me a few minutes to check some numbers.
the first one that didnt work came out of a 2002 cl55 and was listed in auction with compatability of my exact part number
a0275451532 this was the part number that didnt work that was supposed to be compatable
Ok, I think you are going to be fine. It wasn't until 2005 that the programming was needed. As long as the tcu came from the same year and model it should swap. What they are telling you at the shop is that they cannot transfer the variant coding from the old tcu to the new one because they cannot read the old tcu but a used tcu out of the same vehicle should swap without any trouble.
ok thanks....could u just also check if the first part that was supposed to be campatable it really not compatably........im guessing it is not, but i was told it is
the one out of the cl55
XXXXXXXXXX is not even a good part number.
are you sure you don't mean 027 545 13 32?
no thats the part number in a photo im looking at on the winning ebay auction (part is over at the mechanics place) anyway more important that this one should be plug and playoff subject i am a semi retired / disabled home inspector and there must be questions on here for me to answer and get paid....do they pay well? :)
You should be fine.
The pay is good but it's a lot of work.
ok gonna keep the window open and let you know how it goes......im confident the credit will go to you.
Ok, I'm looking forward to hearing the outcome.
everything is alot of work nowadays....but i wouldnt mine helping some people out for some extra cash when i am under the weather. thx for your time and i will return in a couple hours....Dennis
The helping out part is the best part of all :-)
By the way I ran your VIN number and the tcu for your car is $1190 from Mercedes.
ye i know and my all too honest highly recommended mechanic wants to make money on the 1190....and on top of that, charge me 1400 total, plus $400 for diagnosis....little overboard for a highly recommended "honest" mechanic
so bascially he wants to make a grand and he didnt even diagnose it and my car has been layed up for over a week because he is not up for any challenge...just sits there while i run around
Yikes!
Hopefully everything works out.
heading over there now...ill be back to square away with you
ok
everything turned out great and I really appreciate your help.
Dennis
Experience: Bosch Certified Master Tech. Over 35 years experience.
Hi Dennis, thanks for the update. I'm glad it worked out.