As I understand it, originally the SBC (sensatronic brake control) units were programmed to display a fault code after 300,000 applications of the pedal (Mercedes used the language "run out of permissible tolerances, thereby triggering the hydraulic back up function mode"). There was a recall (#2004 050014) so that the units could be reprogrammed.

When a SBC unit has been reprogrammed, what are the new parameters? At what point (i.e. how many applications of the pedal) could one expect to have to replace the unit?

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

I was with the understanding the SBC had a date programmed in which would flag the fault, (10 years). The units were not showing wear as expected so a re flash would clear the date limitation. I was under the impression once re flashed you are good to go

I seem to get caught behind drivers who would reach the 300,000 pedal depression after driving a block or two!

__________________
92 e300d2.5t
01 e320
05 cdi
85 chev c10

Does this unit contain a battery? If so I seem to remember that it might be able to be pushed 20% farther but after that the battery really is worn out.

It has a small battery located against the firewall, passenger side under the airbox. It is a small AGM atv like battery. Most have probably already had this replaced, but not a hard thing to replace at all.

__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

There is a separate battery for the braking system....located in right rear of engine compartment....but I'm not aware of a battery in the unit itself.

__________________
14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

The SBC system's back-up battery has no bearing on the life-span of the SBC unit.

Accurate enough - but that battery isn't essential for the SBC system's ability to perform as designed.

https://www.google.com/search?q=SBC+reset+tool&oq=SBC+reset+tool&aqs=chrome..69i57j0l5.5897j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

it seems like this tool is just for temporarily disabling the SBC - e.g. like when refreshing brake pads or changing a wheel bearing

__________________
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)