2000 Sprinter eci, clatter & ScanguageII - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rmerrick · #1 10-12-2007, 06:54 AM

I have a 2000 sprinter with 2.9 Turbo Diesel and 4 sp auto.
Converting to a motorhome so dont want to trade it in.

Problem 1.
The speedo reads 10% low "across the board" according to my GPS and here in Australia the speed cameras are everywhere and give a 3% tolerance. So I asked Mercedes (Freightliner) to adjust the computer to correct the error because I will lose my license in 4 towns...
They said "no" due to legal liabilities

Anyway I bought a ScanguageII so I could get MPG, CORRECT SPEED, RPM etc.

Problem. The Sprinter connector is wrong - 14pin round, so I go to the wreckers and get a 16pin flat and wire it up using the info in the mercedes manuals..
Works but speed is either zero or 255kph, distance is 10x actual, and the rpm is 1/4.
So I go back to Mercedes and ask them to reprogram the ECI to OBDII standards. They cant do it.
Find I also have a faulty glow plug.
Seems the pre 2001 (before common rail intro) are not field programmable (by Mercedes anyway).

Options.
Change the engine & computer and get better fuel economy & performance. $$$Ouch
Change the Injectors to common rail and fit the later computer.
Change to a later computer & hack the EFI out.
Try to find the hard code for a later computer that outputs the right codes and program it on the bench.
Put in an aftermarket computer.

Also have a loud clatter in one cylinder at mid rpm & full throttle. I believe from my reading that is probably an injector opening early due to wear.
Vehicle is 111,111km (yesterday).

Suggestions please.

Ray

Rashakor · #2 10-12-2007, 11:21 AM

???

Somehow i would be curious to see if you get any answer. The specialty here is non-electronic diesels.

#3 10-12-2007, 11:30 AM

There is no possible way for you to convert to common rail. Yours uses a rotary injection pump that is controlled by the computer that no other Mercedes engine ever used. However, the VP44 pump IS used on many other Diesel engines. It may be possible to replace your computerized one with a mechanical, but the hard part would be finding a 5-cylinder pump. I know VW had an 5-cylinder diesel in the 80's that used it.

I'm afraid you won't get much luck on this american forum, we never got that engine over here.

Try THIS or THIS UK forums.

TMAllison · #4 10-12-2007, 11:43 AM

Regarding the speedo, you probably have the wrong size tires on the truck?

I'd doubt you have inj "wear" at your mileage. None of my 11 inj's have never been out of my vehicles ......

You may have developed a bad spray pattern if you've gotten ahold of some dirty fuel or have been using homebrewed fuels.

I'd try diesel purge and see if it cleaned it up; if not pull it and pop/spray test it.

rmerrick · #5 10-12-2007, 10:23 PM

The usb dongle arrived this week and in a couple of days I will go to work and get the laptop and start hacking...

Regarding the tire size etc, Freightliner did the checks for engine, transmission, diff & wheel/tire and said its all correct.
Next door neighbour works for a local company that repairs speedo's etc.
Said to bring it in but havent had time yet.

On tyre size, I think the tyres/wheels are too small for my needs.
I put a towbar on the van and I am doing a lot of driveway "adjustments" now. Even been hung up a few times. Wheel spinning to get over the bump.
Think I may get airbags fitted so I can adjust height as I need. :-)

Ray