Originally Posted by TimFreeh

I've used a couple of aftermarket general purpose scan tools and currently own an Autel MS906 as a backup and non MB specific applications.

As you would expect the non-MB specific tools kind of vary in quality and coverage. Sometimes they provide 95% of the coverage of the Star system and sometimes that don't have any coverage for some components. I have an friend with a high-end Snap-on scan tool that couldn't connect at all to a 2004 CLK I had in the shop but my Autel and Star system had no issues connecting?

Hopefully the trip to the indy with the Star tool will get you some more information.

My daily-driver 2006 CDI has been suffering from the know ECU issue where the ground signal for the relay that powers up the CDI ECU isn't being consistently provided. This will result in a no crank when the key is turned to the start position. A key tell that you've got this problem is that the Glow-plug light will not illuminate when the key is turned to positon 2.

I've wired a manual push-button switch that I can press to manually provide the ground signal when needed, once the initial ground signal has been provided the car runs normally until turned off. Been using the car with this mod for about a year and it works fine but it kind of annoys me.

The ECU from Mercedes is over $1200 and its not available at this time. I'm suspecting It'll never be availalbe again. You can't swap in a junkyard ECU (even if you can find one) becausre the ECU is married to the EIS and steering column unlock ECU's.

You mentioned earlier that you have replaced your ECU? Where did you get your replacement ECU and who installed it?