Gen 7 Replacing Ecu

July 6, 2009

Hi,

I've got a 2001 190, and i've only ever had one key for it. I bought a spare which I managed to programme for the remote central locking, but I've never managed to get it programmed for the immobiliser.

My original key is now playing up. It will still start the car, but the unlocking isn't working (I think it's just the microswitch has gone, as locking still works).

so I'm having to carry around both my keys. One to unlock the car and the other to start the engine, this is a pain in the a$$ and im worried i'll lose one or both or the original key will develop further faults.

My question is, if I got hold of an ECU from a 190 as well as the keys, could I just swap it over with my ECUs and drop the transponder bits from the keys into my existing key blades (so I don't have to get them recut or change locks)???

Alternatively, does anyone know if these guys http://www.keyprogrammers.com are any good? All looks a bit suspicious to me, don't fancy sending my ECU off in the post to someone...maybe i'm being paranoid.

Or does anyone know if it's possible to replace the microswitch inside the faulty key?

Ok that's actually three questions, but hey. Thanks very much!

Sid