V350 Viano, cruise control retrofit and coding?

[kim954]

Hello all, not exactly a new member but I can't get back into my old account here as the associated email is defunct.

I just bought a V350 auto, Japanese import, Viano Trend camper which didn't have cruise.

I retrofitted the stalk and, apparently, I'm a very naughty boy, as my local Mercedes dealer refuses to code it, despite the potential for lucrative future servicing and parts.

Is there another option to get it coded by someone with Star? I even found a flowchart online detailing the instructions?

P.S. WOW!! Is this thing lovely to drive or what, I also have a 981 Boxster S and I'm not sure which I prefer driving at the moment.

TIA for any advice.

 

[Beardz]

Hello all, not exactly a new member but I can't get back into my old account here as the associated email is defunct.

I just bought a V350 auto, Japanese import, Viano Trend camper which didn't have cruise.

I retrofitted the stalk and, apparently, I'm a very naughty boy, as my local Mercedes dealer refuses to code it, despite the potential for lucrative future servicing and parts.

Is there another option to get it coded by someone with Star? I even found a flowchart online detailing the instructions?

P.S. WOW!! Is this thing lovely to drive or what, I also have a 981 Boxster S and I'm not sure which I prefer driving at the moment.

TIA for any advice.

I can't assist you unfortunately, but do you mind me asking where you purchased your Viano from? I am looking for one myself and Jap imports seem to be higher spec and are much lower miles and better condition for the year.

 

[Alfie]

I can't assist you unfortunately, but do you mind me asking where you purchased your Viano from? I am looking for one myself and Jap imports seem to be higher spec and are much lower miles and better condition for the year.

Be very careful with any Japanese imported Mercedes. The specification differs sometimes enormously. So much so that the wiring is totally different to the rest of the world. Some cars can cost thousands to convert to European specification.

Comand Online can code the vehicle. They will want to inspect the work to ensure it is done to Mercedes standards first. 01276 474900

 

[SpikyMikey]

Be very careful with any Japanese imported Mercedes. The specification differs sometimes enormously. So much so that the wiring is totally different to the rest of the world. Some cars can cost thousands to convert to European specification.

Comand Online can code the vehicle. They will want to inspect the work to ensure it is done to Mercedes standards first. 01276 474900

Even relatively simple things: I know someone with a Japanese import Volvo who has had all sorts of issues getting a spare key for it, or more accurately, getting the key coded to work properly.

 

[kim954]

Thanks Alfie.

This is already UK registered as a motor caravan by the converter, so it doesn't have the conversion/type approval problem.

I'll give comand online a call. They're a long way from me, but quite close to my mrs' sister, so maybe a stopover can be arranged to suit.

 

[BIG UN]

Where abouts roughly are you in Derbyshire?? I've done the odd one or two retrofits & my dealer has no issue in coding things in.. but if not I know a great lad who's not miles away who could do it..

 

[kim954]

Where abouts roughly are you in Derbyshire?? I've done the odd one or two retrofits & my dealer has no issue in coding things in.. but if not I know a great lad who's not miles away who could do it..

S. Derbys, not far from Uttoxeter.
I've fitted the stalk myself and the two local dealers have said they won't code it, so it looks like either an Indie or someone with the right know-how.
If you know someone, that would be much appreciated.

 

[BIG UN]

I do know someone who's not too far from.you at all.. great lad works for Merc but has his own Star machine but not sure I can DM you atm

 

[kim954]

I do know someone who's not too far from.you at all.. great lad works for Merc but has his own Star machine but not sure I can DM you atm

Thanks, I'm gonna need some more posts. lol

 

[m80]

I'm assuming the Star would need to go online to code this in??

 

[BIG UN]

I'm assuming the Star would need to go online to code this in??

No it doesn't, If u have the star with developer on it, should code no issue

 

[kim954]

I'm keen to find out whether it can be done (and I don't mind paying to find out). I already know that the electrical CCT diagram is different from a European spec van as mentioned above by SpikyMikey because the very competent guy who came to fit my alarm/tracker says that some tapping in points aren't where he thought they should be. Maybe the dealers aren't confident that they can't do it for this reason.

 

[kim954]

I'm keen to find out whether it can be done (and I don't mind paying to find out). I already know that the electrical CCT diagram is different from a European spec van as mentioned above by SpikyMikey because the very competent guy who came to fit my alarm/tracker says that some tapping in points aren't where he thought they should be. Maybe the dealers aren't confident that they can't do it for this reason.

An update on this, which isn't encouraging.

The tracker/alarm company called me yesterday and said that they are unable to obtain any information on the canbus coding for this imported V-Class which would allow them to fit and integrate the system. They said that Merc keep this info close to their chest and won't help if the vehicle isn't in its original supply country.
Now I'm seriously concerned...
What happens if we have an electrical problem that can't be diagnosed in the UK as the canbus codes and errors don't match, can Merc UK even access the Japanese code database, and would they want to help at all?
If not, I'd be left with a very expensive pile of scrap metal.

 

[BTB 500]

They said that Merc keep this info close to their chest and won't help if the vehicle isn't in its original supply country.

What happens if we have an electrical problem that can't be diagnosed in the UK as the canbus codes and errors don't match, can Merc UK even access the Japanese code database, and would they want to help at all?

As above I doubt MB UK would get involved at all.

 

[V6nut]

An update on this, which isn't encouraging.

The tracker/alarm company called me yesterday and said that they are unable to obtain any information on the canbus coding for this imported V-Class which would allow them to fit and integrate the system. They said that Merc keep this info close to their chest and won't help if the vehicle isn't in its original supply country.
Now I'm seriously concerned...
What happens if we have an electrical problem that can't be diagnosed in the UK as the canbus codes and errors don't match, can Merc UK even access the Japanese code database, and would they want to help at all?
If not, I'd be left with a very expensive pile of scrap metal.

 

[V6nut]

Any update on your cruise control coding? I’m in exactly the same position, I have the stalk and worked out where/how to fit it but want to confirm it can be coded before I go ahead. I briefly had a star machine but it wouldn’t link ip with the module that needs to be coded (can’t remember which module it was now but I found the details on line somewhere. I’d definitely be prepared to pay someone to do the coding and I’m not miles away from you so maybe we can get a deal for multiple vehicles?

 

[kim954]

Any update on your cruise control coding? I’m in exactly the same position, I have the stalk and worked out where/how to fit it but want to confirm it can be coded before I go ahead. I briefly had a star machine but it wouldn’t link ip with the module that needs to be coded (can’t remember which module it was now but I found the details on line somewhere. I’d definitely be prepared to pay someone to do the coding and I’m not miles away from you so maybe we can get a deal for multiple vehicles?

Yes, in fact I gave in and asked the camper converter if it was possible with the Japanese import. He said yes, no problem.
It did cost me an arm and a leg though, as I had to pay for the full conversion kit after having no luck with anyone else.

I still can't PM, so can't really elaborate on this I'm afraid.

 

[kim954]

V6nut, is your vehicle a Jap import? If not then anyone such as Mertrux should be able to do it.

I wonder, now that mine's working, whether the relevant cruise codes can be read from mine to see how they compare with the standard vehicle?

 

[V6nut]

Yes, in fact I gave in and asked the camper converter if it was possible with the Japanese import. He said yes, no problem.
It did cost me an arm and a leg though, as I had to pay for the full conversion kit after having no luck with anyone else.

I still can't PM, so can't really elaborate on this I'm afraid.

Any idea what the make of the conversion kit was? Could you also let me know the name of the camper converter please as that is the route I’m going too. I’m really happy with the basic vehicle, it’s a great drive so I’m will ing to invest a bit of money into it now. Thanks

 

[kim954]

Any idea what the make of the conversion kit was? Could you also let me know the name of the camper converter please as that is the route I’m going too. I’m really happy with the basic vehicle, it’s a great drive so I’m will ing to invest a bit of money into it now. Thanks

It's the standard Mercedes kit, bloomin' expensive.

As I said before, is your vehicle a Jap import, because if not it's straightforward and anyone with Star can do it.