R230 Climate Control Question (HVAC)

[seabecker]

I own a 2003 SL500. The heater controls do not work properly. I have been told that I need a new "head unit." Mercedes wants about $1200 for a new one. I found a used one in a salvage yard for $120 and installed it. The seller tested it and says it worked perfectly. (Let's assume he was being truthful here.)

It works a little better, but not much. My indy told me that Mercedes "initializes" the unit to the particular car and that once it has been initialized to one car it cannot ever be reinitialized or reprogrammed to operate on a different car. Therefore, I must spend the $1200 on the new one. My indy says that he has had some luck with a company that can write a program to make my new-used head unit be recognized, but it did not work in my case.

Does this make sense in your experience? If this is true, it takes the term proprietary to new heights. I would love to hear from anyone who can help.

 

[Diesel Benz]

This part is coded to the car VIN but SDS should be able to change it to match your car (it should not be one of those theft relevant parts).

Your "new" unit probably only needs initial startup with Star Diagnosis to calibrate the actuators (dials are also calibrated but that part should be fine since those come with the control unit).

 

[seabecker]

Thanks for the reply. That is great news. Don't indys have access to SDS? If so, I wonder why he didn't do this. Perhaps I have to go to the dealer (or look around for a different indy). I will check into this next week. Again, thanks for the reply.

 

[renault12ts]

Thanks for the reply. That is great news. Don't indys have access to SDS? If so, I wonder why he didn't do this. Perhaps I have to go to the dealer (or look around for a different indy). I will check into this next week. Again, thanks for the reply.

He can buy it...but he probably would only do that if he was Mercedes specialist.

 

[seabecker]

That makes sense.

 

[Diesel Benz]

That makes sense.

I don't think it does. Many independent shops have a genuine tool but those who do not work a lot with MB cars may have a clone tool. After all, there are so many private car owners at this forum too who have the tool (the "unofficial" version which is good enough for this task, no on-line features needed).

 

[richard]

You can use a used one. You just need to perform the 'Initial Startup' sequence in Star Diagnosis on the replacement. If possible start with the old on in place so it can suck the configuration out of it and write it into the replacement.

I did one a few weeks ago.

Cheers

Richard