Hankiss
Senior Member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2011
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 14
- Location
- London, UK
- Your Mercedes
- W221 350s s-class, W204 220 CDI AMG sport, Jeep G.Cheeroke 2.7CDI
Hello to All Members,
I spend a lot of time reading about this issue, but I’m still very confused. I wonder if anyone here has a practical experience in the matter. I recently purchased W220 320CDI (2005) which was involved in an accident. Two side and roof air bags were deployed as well as seatbelt buckle. I replaced all of them. MB Star still shows faults related to these items. Also it’s pointing to SRS Airbag Sensor (called also Airbag ECU) saying that the unit cannot be reprogrammed. Obviously the crash data is written into it and it’s blocking the unit, so Star cannot clear the faults. Merc stealer says; I must buy new unit and reprogram it (....lots of money !!!) By searching Internet I came across ads from people claiming that they can clear crash data from the unit (for £35) and make it as new. Even more, the unit will not need reprogramming. Logically, if the Bosch unit uses EEPROM or similar chips, it must be possible (using the right tools) to flash the data, modify the file (deleting crash data) and upload the file to cleared EEPROM. This is my theory.... Can anyone here verify this by his own experience? I tried to look into MB Star Developing Mode for the solution, but it is in German, so I do not want to experiment without proper guidance, as I can make more damage than good. I read some articles that some Members in the similar situation, purchased used units on E-bay and installed them to the car without nasty consequences. Again my theory is that it should work, assuming that I will get exactly the same unit with the same Bosch number and that the previous car was not involved in any accidents. That would be very difficult to get. I would be much obligated if someone here will input some solid info regarding the above. All the best, Mark
I spend a lot of time reading about this issue, but I’m still very confused. I wonder if anyone here has a practical experience in the matter. I recently purchased W220 320CDI (2005) which was involved in an accident. Two side and roof air bags were deployed as well as seatbelt buckle. I replaced all of them. MB Star still shows faults related to these items. Also it’s pointing to SRS Airbag Sensor (called also Airbag ECU) saying that the unit cannot be reprogrammed. Obviously the crash data is written into it and it’s blocking the unit, so Star cannot clear the faults. Merc stealer says; I must buy new unit and reprogram it (....lots of money !!!) By searching Internet I came across ads from people claiming that they can clear crash data from the unit (for £35) and make it as new. Even more, the unit will not need reprogramming. Logically, if the Bosch unit uses EEPROM or similar chips, it must be possible (using the right tools) to flash the data, modify the file (deleting crash data) and upload the file to cleared EEPROM. This is my theory.... Can anyone here verify this by his own experience? I tried to look into MB Star Developing Mode for the solution, but it is in German, so I do not want to experiment without proper guidance, as I can make more damage than good. I read some articles that some Members in the similar situation, purchased used units on E-bay and installed them to the car without nasty consequences. Again my theory is that it should work, assuming that I will get exactly the same unit with the same Bosch number and that the previous car was not involved in any accidents. That would be very difficult to get. I would be much obligated if someone here will input some solid info regarding the above. All the best, Mark