Adaptation, Activation and Coding
 

Can anyone tell me what the difference is in Adaptation, Activation and Coding. I just installed Carsoft 7.4 on my computer and adapted my 1996 SL600 EGS unit. I have know idea what that means but I hope it runs in the morning. I was trying to figure out a way to change the programed rear end gear ratio from 2:47 to 2:65. Does anyone know if Carsoft can do this.

ON that application...adapting the transmission means allowing the computer to "LEARN" how long to engage the solenoids to lock-up the desired clutch pack.

AS far as the re-coding of that module for a different differential ratio...IT can't.
Even the dealers can't do that.

AS far as I know there is possibly only 1 place in the USA that can do that.

Thanks for the reply. So I did an Adaptation. It came back and said

EGS Adaptation has been erased.
Adaptation erasing complete.

Can I assume that means that I reset it to factory defaults.

Most importantly where is the one place that can reprogram my EGS for a different ratio. I heard it can be done with the full STAR diagnostic system.

John Roncallo

The carsoft 7.4 + SP2 menu actually says "Adaptation Erase", I have not seen "Adaptation" menu. So your EGS adaptation has been erased and will fallback to factory default, from where it would ideally start learning.

I imagine Doc was talkin about Beckmann Technologies.

I'm not sure what the trans cares about differential ratio though. Internal ratios will need programming to avoid gear implausibility codes, but those are assessed from input and output inside the trans.

To answer your original question......... Actually before i answer that I should tell you how big a grin I got thinking about how silly it is for someone to just start adapting when they don't know what they are doing. Be thankfull that you have a very limited tool.

Activation is the ability to cause an action. Adaptation is a learned process, one can view the results and one can erase the results to start over. Coding is both a noun and a verb. The programming to run the hardware described as control units exists in most MB control units. In order to run in various conditions with different variants, multiple programs are loaded. It is then the technicians job to "code" the control unit to tell it which variants it will exist in. The final result is the code it is running with.

I was afraid he was talking about Beckmann. I did talk with them at great length. They were very helpful but they cant do it. Im starting to belive that the trans ECU caring about diff ratio may very well be hearsay as I got no error codes referring to such.

Funny you should say that. As I was pressing the buttons I was thinking about how dumb an idea this might be and how I might regret this later. As you say luck was on my side.

That is kind of what I figured although I had now where to check so I do thank you for the explanation.

I do have a way out of this if ratio is important and unchangable. I can just install the stock SL600 rear. Its not a bolt in but a reasonably doable mod of the rear sub frame.

Thank You
John Roncallo

What is the issue with the diff ratio? Has it been changed?

OK I forgot what forum I'm in. For all purposes of discussion this vehicle is a 1996 SL600 with an 1986 560SL rear.

What it really is is a 1986 560SL with the entire power train and electronics from an SL600 with the exception of the rear end. I was told that I would have to code the rear end ratio into the EGS.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-performance-paddock/178997-m120-into-560sl-pictures.html

I only brought the question up in this forum since the basic idea of coding activation and adapting is not a performance issue.

Rear ratio information is stored in the Engine control Module, not in the TCM; you would reflash the ECM with the new Rear ratio.

Thats interesting. I do have an ME Coding feature. But thats one button I'm hesitant to push, but it sound promising.

Making another addition to definitions. Reflashing refers to programming. Programming is the act of installing actual software into the control module. This is not a posibility on any control module by MB flash technicques till 2003.

One could change the coding, which would change the sofware already installed but one would have to find a code that matched your variants.

Is there an actual issue?

Thanks for the clarification, at time I do get confused with MB system terminology and operations.

Thanks for the good replies guys. I havent worked on MB in 20 years this car has been an accelerated course.

JR