Feasability?- CDI drivetrain swapped into E320 wagon - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #31 07-24-2018, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

Anything that is VIN coded like the dash / engine / air Bag computer.

Also, if you ever take it in for major service, you might need to prove ownership of VIN coded parts. Say the engine computer needs reflashed, the dealer needs the donor cars VIN not the body VIN.

Find a dealer you have a solid relationship with if you need major service, in theory the dealer might be prohibited from working on a mixed VIN car. ( liability issues )

I have never taken a Mercedes-Benz to a dealer for service, and probably never will. However, I do need to think about these potential issues before taking on this project.

If the dash stays with the wagon, why would that be a problem?

As far as the airbag computer, would I have a problem putting the one from the gas E into the CDI, should I decide to fix it? Would the car reject the computer and/or airbags?

97 SL320 · #32 07-24-2018, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

As far as the airbag computer, would I have a problem putting the one from the gas E into the CDI, should I decide to fix it? Would the car reject the computer and/or airbags?

It might. Lots of modern stuff compares notes. The air bag computer isn't there just to blow the bags, it is a flight data recorder. Late gen SAAB locked the radio to other computers in the car.

Have a look at the trouble code list in a MB factory manual for VIN / coding miss match.

Sometimes, mileage lives in many computers. Look on E bay for " Mileage correction CAN filter" This kind of thing prevents other computers from updating the dash to actual mileage

I have an 06 Chrysler PT Cruiser, mileage lives in the engine computer as well as the dash.

The PT VIN lives in the body computer, dash , engine computer and I think air bag computer. It is possible to recode this with the factory tool when swapping used parts however the as built VIN is retained as car 1 and current car as car 2

ROLLGUY · #33 07-24-2018, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

It might. Lots of modern stuff compares notes. The air bag computer isn't there just to blow the bags, it is a flight data recorder. Late gen SAAB locked the radio to other computers in the car.

Have a look at the trouble code list in a MB factory manual for VIN / coding miss match.

Sometimes, mileage lives in many computers. Look on E bay for " Mileage correction CAN filter" This kind of thing prevents other computers from updating the dash to actual mileage

I have an 06 Chrysler PT Cruiser, mileage lives in the engine computer as well as the dash.

The PT VIN lives in the body computer, dash , engine computer and I think air bag computer. It is possible to recode this with the factory tool when swapping used parts however the as built VIN is retained as car 1 and current car as car 2

You seem very knowledgeable about these things, and I appreciate you sharing it.

If I decide to use the airbags and computer from the Gas E in the CDI, I don't want to have to deal with re-coding. If this is in fact the case, that will keep me from fixing the CDI, but instead use the body and interior parts to fix the gasser. However, if this coding can be done with an Xentry clone, then I might take on the task. The CDI is/was a really nice car, and I would like to see it get back on the road. It already has a rebuilt SBC, so that is a plus. It also had the water pump and radiator replaced recently.

Question- When you say dash, do you mean instrument cluster?

ROLLGUY · #34 07-24-2018, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

It might. Lots of modern stuff compares notes. The air bag computer isn't there just to blow the bags, it is a flight data recorder. Late gen SAAB locked the radio to other computers in the car.

That just reminded me: Moments after the collision (CDI), my sister-in-law said she heard the radio (or some audio device in the car) trying to call 911. I have never heard of such a thing.

97 SL320 · #35 07-25-2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

You seem very knowledgeable about these things, and I appreciate you sharing it.

Thanks, the key to working on multiple makes is to compare how make A works to make B then figuring out what is different.

Single make shops have a much easier time than a shop that works on dozens of makes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

If I decide to use the airbags and computer from the Gas E in the CDI, I don't want to have to deal with re-coding. If this is in fact the case, that will keep me from fixing the CDI, but instead use the body and interior parts to fix the gasser. However, if this coding can be done with an Xentry clone, then I might take on the task. The CDI is/was a really nice car, and I would like to see it get back on the road. It already has a rebuilt SBC, so that is a plus. It also had the water pump and radiator replaced recently.

Version coding for the air bag computer and ABS computer is likely different between the diesel sedan / gas wagon but it may or may not be different enough to cause a problem. I doubt that the actual air bags are different between the two.

I'd be spending a lot of time with a scanner documenting VIN and version coding plus looking at parts lists / wiring diagrams on both cars.

Be on the lookout for changes that affect both gas and diesel cars. As an example, if a 05 gas and diesel sedan are same , then a 05 gas wagon should be the same. However, if a 07 wagon is different than a 05 gas / diesel, then there might be problems in the swap.

The key to making this happen is not letting the diesel sedan know it is living in a wagon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Question- When you say dash, do you mean instrument cluster?

Yes

97 SL320 · #36 07-25-2018, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

That just reminded me: Moments after the collision (CDI), my sister-in-law said she heard the radio (or some audio device in the car) trying to call 911. I have never heard of such a thing.

That would be the MB version of GM On Star.

Something to know. Last I checked the system provider isn't required to offer 911 service after the subscription runs out since it isn't a cell phone in the strictest sense but a paid service that just happens to use the cell network.

All cell phones * / land lines are required to allow 911 calls to go through even if the subscription has run out. ( * the requirement does not cover G1 or G2 analog systems as they have been long ago shut down. )

Grzpdlr · #37 07-25-2018, 11:39 AM

You could be in a strange situation due to living in California. You will probably have to register the hybrid car as the donor car VIN as it is doubtful CA will allow you to register it under the gasser VIN with a diesel engine due to the smog check.

tjts1 · #38 07-25-2018, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grzpdlr

You could be in a strange situation due to living in California. You will probably have to register the hybrid car as the donor car VIN as it is doubtful CA will allow you to register it under the gasser VIN with a diesel engine due to the smog check.

This is incorrect. Gas to diesel engine swaps in California are quite easy as long as you follow a few basic rules:

Document the donor vehicle to ensure it's not stolen and emissions legal in CA.
Engine must be same model year or newer than the car
Engine must be from same class of vehicle (no truck engine in car for example)
All emissions equipment including obd2 must be swapped with the engine
It must be inspected by a referee station

From then on it goes through the regular biannual smog check like every other car.

ROLLGUY · #39 07-25-2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

This is incorrect. Gas to diesel engine swaps in California are quite easy as long as you follow a few basic rules:

Document the donor vehicle to ensure it's not stolen and emissions legal in CA.
Engine must be same model year or newer than the car
Engine must be from same class of vehicle (no truck engine in car for example)
All emissions equipment including obd2 must be swapped with the engine
It must be inspected by a referee station

From then on it goes through the regular biannual smog check like every other car.

Well, the donor car is an '05, and the gas wagon will probably be an '04 or '05. I have not seen any W211 wagons newer than '05. I am not saying they did not make a W211 wagon past '05, I just have not seen one.

It seems like all the rules are easy to comply with in this swap.

tjts1 · #40 07-25-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Well, the donor car is an '05, and the gas wagon will probably be an '04 or '05. I have not seen any W211 wagons newer than '05. I am not saying they did not make a W211 wagon past '05, I just have not seen one.

It seems like all the rules are easy to comply with in this swap.

You can't put the 05 engine in an 06 body.

sixto · #41 07-25-2018, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Well, the donor car is an '05, and the gas wagon will probably be an '04 or '05. I have not seen any W211 wagons newer than '05. I am not saying they did not make a W211 wagon past '05, I just have not seen one.

From ‘06 they’re E350 not E320 and they’re out there, but again most I see are 4matic.

Sixto
98 E320s sedan and wagon
02 C320 wagon

ROLLGUY · #42 07-28-2018, 01:27 AM

My bro and I drove to Phoenix today, and I bought this beauty.

ROLLGUY · #43 07-28-2018, 01:33 AM

I had always thought the color of the car in my post #24 was Platinum Blue. I also thought the wagon I just bought was Tealite Blue. However, I saw an ad for a wagon exactly like mine, and it was listed as Platinum Blue. I tried to find the paint code location, but could not find the correct one.

97 SL320 · #44 07-28-2018, 09:41 AM

For some build codes, look under the rear ( 2nd ) seat.

On some sedans, look in the trunk under the rear shelf, for wagons I'd have a look in the spare tire area.

t walgamuth · #45 07-28-2018, 10:05 AM

Lovely wagon. If I get the buyback from VW as it was estimated I may spring for another MB wagon.

The VW is nice but every time I drive it I think "oh yeah, its not a benz."