08 gl320 cdi - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fourdiesel · #1 08-04-2008, 05:39 PM

Can anyone tell me how to locate and look at the Engine Control Unit (ECU) on my car. In other words, where is it in the vehicle and how do I get to it? If a VIN number would help, I can PM it to you.

Thanks,
Fourdiesel

husk · #2 08-04-2008, 10:11 PM

You going to chip your car? It should be mounted in a box close to the firewall.

lkchris · #3 08-05-2008, 12:22 PM

For $18 you can subscribe to WIS and download all the procedures you want. There's probably an electronic part location feature, too, but I haven't looked for it since I'm mostly concerned about DTBs, etc.

http://www.startekinfo.com

Fourdiesel · #4 08-05-2008, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkchris

For $18 you can subscribe to WIS and download all the procedures you want. There's probably an electronic part location feature, too, but I haven't looked for it since I'm mostly concerned about DTBs, etc.

http://www.startekinfo.com

That was certainly a waste of time/money, NOTHING showed in any of the dozen searches I made!

What a KLUTZY,non intuitive system! No wonder the dealer can't help me!

Johnhef · #5 08-05-2008, 10:07 PM

If you can wait, I'll take a peek at the next one I see.

The part lookup is only in StarWiring. Come to think of it, I'll just check it there tomorrow.

Fourdiesel · #6 08-06-2008, 08:25 PM

Johnhef: thanks

Johnhef · #7 08-07-2008, 08:46 AM

CDI module is in the box in the right rear of the engine bay.

ILUVMILS · #8 08-07-2008, 12:24 PM

Like Johnhef says, Star Wiring shows it in the engine bay. If it's not there, check behind the right front wheel well liner. That's where WIS says' it's located.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fourdiesel

That was certainly a waste of time/money, NOTHING showed in any of the dozen searches I made!

What a KLUTZY,non intuitive system! No wonder the dealer can't help me!

Yeah, WIS isn't very intuitive. It usually takes new tech's a few months to get comfortable with. The good thing about WIS though, is that it's absolutely loaded with information on just about everything MB has to offer worldwide.

Johnhef · #9 08-07-2008, 01:28 PM

It may be loaded with info but they have got to redo their search feature!

Fourdiesel · #10 08-07-2008, 05:38 PM

I'm not sure I found it but I may be going in the right direction. One of the photos on WIS - I looked at all of them! Showed a large wire bundle leading from the engine center toward the RH side. Low on the firewall I can see a nice fat wire bundle on the right (I can't reach it but I can see it!) In order to get to it to see it (assuming its mounted in a box low on the firewall on the right) I tried to take the plastic outside air intake box off at the firewall. Had to remove a sheet metal heat shield first, and couldn't remove THAT without removing the cross brace between the suspension towers. THOSE require a E?? torx female socket that I don't yet have!
Result, I put it all back together (only 2 nuts dropped - disappeared) and will attack the issue when I have more tools.
Re WIS: the ONLY photo they show for the location of the CDI control computer is a head on shot from outside the car with the hood closed and an arrow pointing down at the right rear of the engine bay! About as much help as saying it's on the car

Fourdiesel · #11 08-11-2008, 06:44 PM

More on the ECU saga: Tried yesterday to see if I could 'see' the firewall behind the plastic inside air intake box. The plastic 'front half' of the intake comes off easily by releasing upward a couple of ss clips, the front part then comes up and out easily. The back part, covering the firewall (and hopefully the ECU) seems impossible though. Two 10mm nuts hold it in place (plus a small metal spring clip which pries off easily). However, once this is done, it MUST move straight forward to clear the studs and the plastic rain drain stuff below the windshield. BUT, it can't move forward without removing a curved portion of the heat shield around the engine. I thought this heat shield heat shield could be removed after the stabilizer brace across the top of the engine was removed but NO WAY! the bolts are just not accessible without removing the engine first!
Help??

ILUVMILS · #12 08-11-2008, 08:23 PM

Before you perform major surgery, take a look behind the right front wheel well liner. It only takes a few minutes to remove, so you've got nothing to lose if the CDI module isn't there. I seem to remember an e-mail, or Shop Foremans' conference topic call from a while back that told us that Star Wiring was wrong concerning the location of the ECU.

Fourdiesel · #13 08-12-2008, 05:36 PM

Thanks, That was to be my next step. I saw the wheel well as the other possible location. Jack that side of the car up, pull the wheel, remove the liner and look - shouldn't take too long. If I can pry the car loose from my wife!

ILUVMILS · #14 08-12-2008, 07:53 PM

I did a little digging during my lunch break today, and here's what I found. Back in November 2006, the MB Dealer Shop Foremans' monthly conference call included a topic regarding the location of the ME-SFI control module on the ML63 AMG. This was the one that I "seemed to remember" in my last post. That's the bad news. The good news is, that according to WIS, the ECU on your GL is in the same place. Once you remove the rear section of the wheel well liner you'll need to drill out a rivet to remove the ECU mounting bracket, but the rest of the job looks pretty simple. Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Fourdiesel · #15 08-13-2008, 06:24 PM

Wish M-B would be prompt in correcting the errors in their information system - from vague arrows pointing in the general direction of the right rear of the engine compartment (where the ECU ISN'T), to not fixing inconsistencies where the ECU IS!
Makes me considerably less comfortable working with the system - and a LOT less likely to pay a dealer $130/hr to waste time with a system that shows stuff that isn't there.
Wife still has the car - so no progress to report.