The variant coding errors are a bit troubling, many control modules on these cars have common hardware but need to be version-coded before they are installed in a specific car. Version coding tells the hardware the specifics of the environment its operating in, incorrect version code errors could indicate that someone has swapped in junkyard versions of some of the control modules that have been version coded to a different car.

This could cause unpredictable results that could mask the underlying cause of the error(s).

Hope I'm wrong but this doesn't seem like its going to be an easy fix and you're going to need someone with an SDS machine and lots of diagnostic experience to get this one running.

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98 Dodge-Cummins pickup (137K)
13 GLK250 (157k)
06 E320CDI (341K)
16 C300 (89K)
82 300GD Gelaendewagen (54K)

The dealer called back and said that the TCU is bad and has rust in it. Also the passenger SRS seat sensor needs to be replaced.

My question is, can they re-code a used TCU or does that part need to be purchased new? Coding costs $250, the part is $595 and labor is $500. It takes 5 minutes to swap the damn thing, so I can't justify $500 for that.

I believe the SRS sensor can be bypassed with a resistor, correct?

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1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

Rust in the TCU and faulty seat sensor make me wonder if you should be on the lookout for other flood damage.

If this TCU is an EGS52 or EGS53 it should be able to be recoded ( the older EGS51 had a one time programmable EPROM )

As a side note, I have a EGS51 from a 97 car that was replaced in 01 and it has a EEPROM ( reprogrammable ).

You could take the EPROM from the bad unit and solder it into the new unit or just get a TCU from the same exact car. Near as I can tell there isn't any VIN info or anti theft in these units.

So, essentially, if I get one with the same part number, I should be able to swap it myself and save the cost of a new part, labor and programming fee? I have to assume that the new unit have to be programmed otherwise, the dealer should not have mentioned that fee.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

You need to get a used TCU from the _exact same exact car_ as close to your build date as possible. The basic part number refers to the unprogrammed unit that can be used on a wide variety of cars.

As other have said, I've have a hard look at the car for water damage. And, with so many version coding issues throughout the car, the computers may have been swapped along the way so current part numbers might not be valid in finding another unit.

Here is what the service adviser sent me through E-mail:

Transmission control unit………………………….….Labor $499.92……………..Part $541.80…( # 032-545-30-32-60 remanufactured)

Perform variant coding for ESP module

After replacing trans module……………….………Labor $250.00



SRS light-child sensor defective……………………Labor $588.92……………..Part $443.90

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

The build date of my car is 11/02. It is going to be challenging to find a TCU from that exact month. How much leeway do you think I have? I can't look at the TCU in the car until I get it back from the dealer.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

I had my SRS seat sensor on my '98 E300 changed three or four years ago. I bought the part at a dealer (about $225) and took it to an auto upholstery shop. The shop charged me $100 labor to install it. I live in northern Virginia in a Washington suburb. I understand that the dealers around here don't actually do these jobs but take the cars to upholstery shops.

The best prices I have found for new Mercedes parts is:

https://mercedespartscenter.com/Mercedes-Benz/

This website is associated with Aristocrat Motors in Merriam, Kansas; phone 1-800-587-4863.

Rust in TCU?? thats a first - I usually see it flooded with ATF.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

The dealer just sent me some pictures of the TCU. Here is one of them.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

wow..

thats not a good sign, I would suggest you might want to remove the seats and lift the carpets to check for other water damage..

Do not invest in it further unless you have identified its not a flooded car. You might want to also check the rain trays and vents near the ECU/TCU for damage and clogging too. I believe water can also lead to the interior from there and flood/rust the interior SAM too.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

It looks like a flood car or someone was trying to fix problems with salvage yard parts and the TCU got wet. Is the TCU under the passenger foot well or under the hood next to the engine computer?

I don't know how much build month leeway you would have in swapping the TCU.

The drain on the passenger side was full of leaves when I opened the hood. So much so that I had to move the leaves to get to the fuse box. The TCU is under the hood next to the ECU. The box has a rubber seal in the cover but I can see how much good that does.

It could be a flooded car but I don't smell any mold or other odd smells in the cabin. It was registered in Florida about two years ago, then re-titled in TX. The previous owner was in the military since the lien on the title was through the Navy Credit Union.

__________________
1991 F250 super-cab 7.3 IDI. (rebuilt by me) Banks Sidewinder turbo, hydroboost brakes, new IP and injectors.
2003 S430 - 107K
1983 300SD - Tanoshii - mostly restored ~400K+.
1983 300SD - Good interior. Engine finally tamed ~250K.
Monark Nozzle Install Video - http://tinyurl.com/ptd2tge

The TCU in this car is placed in the worst possible location. The leaves you removed from the passenger side of the rain tray actually are the cause of this water, Its a bit similar to the problems that old BMW E36 sedans had, the wiper rain tray would fill with debris, water would not drain and all water would literally flood the ECU which was sitting next to it in its own chamber.

__________________
2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)