[Smokinb]

Occasionally, my car won't start. When I turn the key, the lights come on but nothing. I called Road Side Assistance and they asked if I could move the shifter with the key turned. I tried and could move it. Then when I tried to start the car it cranked and ran like normal. The tech on the phone said that the Shift Control Modular was likely the cause. If the car doesn't know the shifter is in park it won't crank, for safety reasons.

The local dealer quoted $1,065 to replace. They said the part needs to be replaced then it has to be programmed to work.

I'm not sure if I can manage this repair. Any thoughts or insights one how to cut down my $1k+ quote?

ps - I did search the W220 thread and did not find any info, which surprised me since the phone tech said it was a common issue with my car.

 

[tusabes]

Buy a matched set of key , shifter , eis and ecu taken from the same donor car on eBay . They sell for about $350 for the matched set of 4 parts

You need to swap all 4 parts from the same donor car or else it won't work .
No programming will be required since the 4 parts will already be programmed to work together .

You can't buy any single used part of the 4 piece system and get it to work . You either need to buy one new piece and have it programmed , or buy a matched set of the 4 used parts taken from the same donor car

 

[Smokinb]

with electronic parts, I'm not sure 4 used will be better than one new. can i buy new part and install, then get programmed at independent shop for way less than $1k?

If I got the donor car route, what's the newest donor I can use for my 2004? Also... what's the difficultly level in each of the four parts you mention?

 

[Dave2302]

Hi,

It is way cheaper to buy the set of s/h parts, I've been here, done that and got the T Shirt, see my S500 Resurrection Thread, (use the search bar) :wink

I am well versed with Mercedes and have my own SDS and there was no cheaper way around this.

ECU is easy 5 minute swap, keys obviously, EIS fiddly but not too bad, easier I'm told on a LHD Car, and Shifter is a bit of a fiddly nuisance mainly due to the Centre Console needs stripping to do a nice job, and some under shields needs removed to get at the Trans Linkage :wink

It isn't easy to get brand new or "virginised" bits programmed. MB will not virginise or program repaired bits.

It is possible sometimes to get individual parts "cloned" or repaired, but there is an element of risk to that, and you need to find a good specialist locksmith, (a lot of sharks in the UK).

You can use a set of parts from a CL with same engine, rear door locks and interior lights will not work correctly until you re code the EIS to Sedan, but anyone can do that with SDS, that's what I did :wink

If your Car is Facelift you need Facelift parts and vice versa :wink

HTH,

Cheers Dave

 

[tusabes]

No there is no cheap way to buy the one new part , plus the required programming . It will be over $1000. Usually it's over $1600.


The 4 used parts at about $350 are the only cheaper option.

The shifter is the only time consuming part to change , and that needs to be changed regardless whether you get an old or new one . Since that is currently your bad part . The key ecu and eis are simple to swap.

 

[Smokinb]

Hi,

It is way cheaper to buy the set of s/h parts,

What are s/h parts?

I need to dig around her some more and see what's involved. This might be an item I let the dealer do.

 

[Dave2302]

Hi,

s/h = second hand :wink

Have you actually read my thread that I referred you to ??

Job is real easy, just make certain that all 4 parts have come from the same car, and that that car was running before it got stripped :wink

Cheers Dave

 

[wallyp]

Did the dealer actually test the car using DAS and determine that the Shift Control Module is faulty, or was this a telephone diagnosis?

 

[Dave2302]

Hi,

This is a very good point Wally, I should have noticed that and commented upon it, however, I'm still a bit brain dead from my voyage and all the problems last week

Anyway, yes before buying and fitting expensive components, it would be good to see what SDS brings up, if there is a fault there should be Shifter related code(s) :wink

Cheers Dave

 

[Smokinb]

This diagnosis was over the phone by the benz road side assistance guy. The issue has not popped up again so i'm going to continue driving it as is until i need to fix it. thanks all.