I know this is a rather odd thing to do as the W210 ECUs are locked to the car they are installed in meaning that you can't use the ECU in another car, even if its the same model etc. The other issue is that the chip is soldered directly onto the board.

I have decided to buy a used ECU as I have decided to try something out, I know that there are a few people who can clone an ECU over by desoldering and then resoldering the chip however this will also mean that you are left in the same position as before with the chip being locked to the car.

I am wanting to have a spare ECU in case anything happens with the current one as its getting older.

I have decided to get a spare ECU, then I will be looking to desolder the stock chip and then install a socket to make it a socketed chip instead so I can swap over to a chip that is removable.

Not sure if anyone has tried this yet but I thought as a used ECU isn't exactly expensive I thought I would give it a go as I have nothing to lose!

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UK spec Mercedes W210 E300 Turbodiesel wagon - OM606.962 with 722.6 transmission - rust free!

You will need the HHT or Xentry to change the version coding

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

If you have a fault in the ecu it might be easier for a specialist to repair the fault in the ecu than swap the chip. I haven't heard of many ecu failures in the 210. Its usually a key or k40 relay fault.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

I've seen a gear selector switch that had a bunch of sweet tea spilled in it keep one from cranking too.

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Jim

What year car and numbers on the ECU? There were a few systems used over the years.

My current ECU is in mint condition with no fault at all, I am just wanting a back up or something to try, it's a 97 turbo diesel, ECU number is A024 545 11 32. When I opened the lid on the ECU housing I was amazed at how perfect the condition, I think I'm the first to actually open it.

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UK spec Mercedes W210 E300 Turbodiesel wagon - OM606.962 with 722.6 transmission - rust free!

Form _the_ car you bought the ECU you need.

A 3" x 2 1/2" x 1" black box that site behind the instrument cluster ( on top of the pedal box. ) This is the DAS X box that reads the chip in the key. There is an antenna ring around the ignition switch , follow the black wire to the box. Mine is marked 210 820 32 26

A key(s) for that car, the more the better.

If you only can get the DAS box, there are readers on E bay that will generate and program a chip for the kew. There are also blank chips on e bay too.

I will be using the other boxes in the car - simply cloning my current ECU to have a back up, I have seen full setups with the additional black boxes and key surrounds etc - however the used ECU will be an exact copy of my current ECU so it will work with what I have got.

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UK spec Mercedes W210 E300 Turbodiesel wagon - OM606.962 with 722.6 transmission - rust free!

If the chip that you want to swap in and out is the point of failure now what? And what if the DAS box fails?

The most direct route is to get the DAS box and key that match the ECU.