Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
Close. Here is a longer explanation should anyone care. The ISM is a totally stupid and unnecessary complication. A shifter switch for P R N D on a steering wheel stalk tells the ISM nanny to run a servo motor which moves a lever that rotates a shaft on the side of the transmission to select P R N D mechanically then the TCM and conductor plate solenoids handle actual gear shifting 1-7 forward (and there might be 2 reverse gears, I’m not sure). I could hear the motor moving so I think mechanically it was working ok but the nanny was failing to sense where it was so was not reporting the trans was in P so the engine would start. I’ll try to tear it open and do a post mortem on it. Having previously dealt with replacing a conductor plate in a 722.9 transmission I knew that this and the ISM were both coded to the car (“theft relevant parts”) and replacing them required recoding. This is not an entirely straightforward process. With some of these parts it is possible to clone a “new” (out of the box new or a used unit) ISM if it is possible to extract the old/original unit’s coding; otherwise, it is necessary to get the codes from MB to load into the new unit. I had swapped a used CP into another 722.9 and sent the original and the used one off to a kid in Kollyfawnya to do the cloning. Todd had mentioned that sometimes a shift solenoid on the conductor plate sometimes goes bad and confuses the nannies also perhaps causing the problem. I figured it needed a fluid change anyway so opened the transmission and dropped the valve body and CP (breaking it and repairing it as previously reported) and cleaned it well, and put it all back together with new filter and gasket. Fluid back in today as the car needs to be running to get transmission up to working temperature to do a proper fill. In my case yesterday I had a “new” ISM I had pulled off a 07ML350 transmission from a parts vehicle I had bought for $400 from some Russian guy I never met. The engine had munched and it had some front-end damage and some stuff already picked but otherwise it was in very good condition. He told me where it was, I went to get it, transferred the money, loaded it up and brought it home and knackered it. Sold the hulk for $65? to the scrapper and had a good transmission and loads of other bits etc. Anyway, I knew the used ISM from the ML350 had to be coded so did not connect it to the ML63 as doing that can cause all kinds of woes amongst other nannies that can get Very Confused. Enter this guy Todd who is a whiz at dealing with all the electronics and software. He was returning a favor. He loaned me one of his fancy computers as mine was somewhat retarded. He was able to do a remote session on it while it was connected to the 63 and extract a complete image of the car, all the codings of the various modules. For some reason I didn’t quite understand he believed it necessary to start with a clean install using files specifically for my car. He has a lot of these car images on his system, whatever he was using at his end maybe, but as the ML63 is somewhat unique he had to pay MB for a 2023 version of the car’s operating system. Might have had something to do with the situation that some ISMs can’t actually be recoded and he wanted to make sure to use a known good file. Anyway he got that file ($231) and uploaded it to the ML, did a few other incantations on it, and LO and HALLELUJAH all the nannies were happy and the car started right up.. Note as Dan said, unless the ECU and EIS and ISM and TCM are all in agreement that the transmission is in P the vehicle will not start. This was the issue — the ISM brain was inop and not talking to the other nannies. Interestingly I have been able to start it randomly a coupla times, not sure sure exactly how or why. Yesterday while waiting for Todd I was messing around with the computer and drilled down on some menus for the ISM and found some commands that apparently were forcing it or some other nanny to believe it was in P, maybe bypassing the ISM and fooling the others. However it worked I did manage to start the car. Interesting. So, fun times, learning a lot about these complexities. MB would have charged $1k or so for a new ISM, maybe $400 to do the programming (Todd charges $450 plus the file cost if needed when he does this for customers), and then another few $100 to swap the ISMs off/on the car. So $2kish plus any transport fees which is what the PO was looking at to have MB do it. So now I have $2731 in the car plus another $150 or so for new transmission filter/fluid I’ll get done today, so call it $2900 so far. It needs a new coil pack or plug or both for one zylinder, call that $100. So $3k for a total beeste. I saw one same year about the same miles (154kmi on mine) offered for $11k recently so I figure I have some headroom. It probably needs a new battery (and yesterday I discovered it also has a dead
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
More like $2k or more --FT Sent from iFōn > On Sep 7, 2023, at 4:43 PM, mitch--- via Mercedes > wrote: > > On 2023-09-07 16:27, Donald Snook via Mercedes wrote: >> I must be getting old. I didn’t understand any of that. > > He bought a nonfunctional ML63 with computer issues. > Fixing it requires throwing thousand dollar bills at a dealer, or becoming a > computer expert. > > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
In more detail, which you’ll understand when I’m done: The ISM, or intelligent servo module, controls the mechanical aspect of shifting the automatic transmission. It gets a signal from the shifter to tell it to engage the transmission in the chosen gear. If your ISM flakes out, the car is essentially undrivable. The only fix is to replace the ISM, but even if you do, it has to be coded to the car/VIN to be functional. Otherwise, it won’t “talk” to the other devices on the CANBUS network that connects it to all the other modules in the system. I believe Floyd located a replacement ISM and installed it on the vehicle with no success. This is because it has to be version-coded, which can only be done with a direct connection to the Fatherland/MB via an SDS system., which is, for the most part, a dealer-only option. Some dealers will do coding only for a flat fee, but in most cases only if they know you or have a professional relationship with you, like an independent shop that services MBs who buy their parts from the dealer. For us “regular” folks it’s highly improbable that they would do it for you unless you purchased a new ISM. And maybe then even not. Figure on a Mercedes built after about 2005 or so, depending on the model, will have this sort of setup. It’s actually pretty reliable - ISM failures aren’t that common as far as I know. Hence the reason why the seller whom Floyd bought his ML63 from was willing to part with it at a bargain-basement price. Otherwise, it’s a doorstop. -D > On Sep 7, 2023, at 1:41 PM, mitch--- via Mercedes > wrote: > > On 2023-09-07 16:27, Donald Snook via Mercedes wrote: >> I must be getting old. I didn’t understand any of that. > > He bought a nonfunctional ML63 with computer issues. > Fixing it requires throwing thousand dollar bills at a dealer, or becoming a > computer expert. > > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
On 2023-09-07 16:27, Donald Snook via Mercedes wrote: I must be getting old. I didn’t understand any of that. He bought a nonfunctional ML63 with computer issues. Fixing it requires throwing thousand dollar bills at a dealer, or becoming a computer expert. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
I must be getting old. I didn’t understand any of that. Donald H. Snook > On Sep 7, 2023, at 2:42 PM, Buggered Benzmail > wrote: > > Yes he could do it if you have a DAS/Xentry system that is up to date and > that he could do a remote session into. My system was out of date so I > dropped it off to him and he was going to update the computer with new > software but it needed a new larger hard drive and more memory. I ordered > that stuff but the computer didn’t like the memory (2 types actually) so that > didn’t work. So he loaned me one of his XENTRY machines which we used today. > I have a good Wi-Fi signal out where it is parked. He accessed it with > UltraViewer and basically just controlled it from his desk. Worked great. > > He has a lot of car images already in his systems but didn’t have this ML63 > so had to download it. He did extract and copy what was in the car but wanted > a clean updated install into the car so it is a 2023 version. > > It was questionable whether this “new” ISM could be programmed. Apparently > some can’t but this one was able to take the new image for the car. Once it > was done vehicle started right up and no more faults. > > So anyway a bit more mechanical work to do to get it driveable but nothing > like messing with software and computers. > > --FT > Sent from iFōn > >> On Sep 7, 2023, at 2:57 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes >> wrote: >> >> So how did you go about getting this imagine? Is this something your buddy >> can do for some of us list folk? >> >> Sent from my iPhone >> On Sep 7, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes wrote: >>> >>> Did a remote session with my buddy today to get the “new” ISM programmed. >>> Took some gyrations, had to pay MB for a software image of the car as he >>> didn’t have it for this kind of unique vehicle. $231 so not bad. Got it >>> done, looks good, no faults, will get it installed back on the tranny >>> tomorrow and everything else put back and go for a drive! YAY!!! >>> >>> --FT >>> Sent from iFōn >>> ___ >>> http://www.okiebenz.com >>> >>> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >>> >>> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >>> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >>> >> >> >> ___ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
Yes he could do it if you have a DAS/Xentry system that is up to date and that he could do a remote session into. My system was out of date so I dropped it off to him and he was going to update the computer with new software but it needed a new larger hard drive and more memory. I ordered that stuff but the computer didn’t like the memory (2 types actually) so that didn’t work. So he loaned me one of his XENTRY machines which we used today. I have a good Wi-Fi signal out where it is parked. He accessed it with UltraViewer and basically just controlled it from his desk. Worked great. He has a lot of car images already in his systems but didn’t have this ML63 so had to download it. He did extract and copy what was in the car but wanted a clean updated install into the car so it is a 2023 version. It was questionable whether this “new” ISM could be programmed. Apparently some can’t but this one was able to take the new image for the car. Once it was done vehicle started right up and no more faults. So anyway a bit more mechanical work to do to get it driveable but nothing like messing with software and computers. --FT Sent from iFōn > On Sep 7, 2023, at 2:57 PM, Kaleb Striplin via Mercedes > wrote: > > So how did you go about getting this imagine? Is this something your buddy > can do for some of us list folk? > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On Sep 7, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes >> wrote: >> >> Did a remote session with my buddy today to get the “new” ISM programmed. >> Took some gyrations, had to pay MB for a software image of the car as he >> didn’t have it for this kind of unique vehicle. $231 so not bad. Got it >> done, looks good, no faults, will get it installed back on the tranny >> tomorrow and everything else put back and go for a drive! YAY!!! >> >> --FT >> Sent from iFōn >> ___ >> http://www.okiebenz.com >> >> To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ >> >> To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: >> http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com >> > > > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
On 2023-09-07 14:42, Donald Snook via Mercedes wrote: You have an ML63? Wow! I bet that is fun to drive! He'll let you know if he ever gets it on the road. ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
So how did you go about getting this imagine? Is this something your buddy can do for some of us list folk? Sent from my iPhone > On Sep 7, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Buggered Benzmail via Mercedes > wrote: > > Did a remote session with my buddy today to get the “new” ISM programmed. > Took some gyrations, had to pay MB for a software image of the car as he > didn’t have it for this kind of unique vehicle. $231 so not bad. Got it done, > looks good, no faults, will get it installed back on the tranny tomorrow and > everything else put back and go for a drive! YAY!!! > > --FT > Sent from iFōn > ___ > http://www.okiebenz.com > > To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ > > To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: > http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
Re: [MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
You have an ML63? Wow! I bet that is fun to drive! Donald H. Snook > On Sep 7, 2023, at 1:07 PM, Buggered Benzmail > wrote: > > Did a remote session with my buddy today to get the “new” ISM programmed. > Took some gyrations, had to pay MB for a software image of the car as he > didn’t have it for this kind of unique vehicle. $231 so not bad. Got it done, > looks good, no faults, will get it installed back on the tranny tomorrow and > everything else put back and go for a drive! YAY!!! > > --FT > Sent from iFōn > ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
[MBZ] ML63 is ALIIIIIVE!!!!
Did a remote session with my buddy today to get the “new” ISM programmed. Took some gyrations, had to pay MB for a software image of the car as he didn’t have it for this kind of unique vehicle. $231 so not bad. Got it done, looks good, no faults, will get it installed back on the tranny tomorrow and everything else put back and go for a drive! YAY!!! --FT Sent from iFōn ___ http://www.okiebenz.com To search list archives http://www.okiebenz.com/archive/ To Unsubscribe or change delivery options go to: http://mail.okiebenz.com/mailman/listinfo/mercedes_okiebenz.com
