I dont have a copy of this TSB, but I may be able to get one. My buddy owns a dealership. Anyway I have a post in the main "Crossfire Coupe" section about how my engine light came on, and my guys mechanic followed a TSB to flash my ECU with an upgraded program. The car runs a lot better now than it has in the past. My car is #6060.

I'm putting this here because obviously there IS problem with the ECU programming in the earlier cars. I do remember reading some posts in the past about one or two people with the same situation. So I just wanted to make everyone aware of the problem, and the fact there is a TSB. You may want to at least ask about it next time its in the dealer if you have one of the early xfires. Obviously it couldn't hurt to have it done, and may make your xfire run even better, as it did in my instance.

The mechanic really couldn't explain much about this whole thing to me, other than to say its something that sometimes happens. (the check engine light) My light came on after I totally peeled out faster than ever before. In the end, it turned out to be a good thing. But if I didn't do that insanely sick perfect launch, it never would have came on, thus I'd be stuck using an old ECU program that quite honestly, doesnt get every ounce out of the car that it could.

I now get better speed, throttle response, and even crisper shifting. It's really wierd, but its true.

 

It would be really helpful if we could find out at approximately what time the TSB came out and at what stage of production did they find the problem and change the ECU programming.
Yours was an early car and presumably the others you know about were early, but how early are we talkiing. My car is about 8500 and I'm interested in knowing if there is good potential for having similar problem. Up to now everything is A-ok.

If you can find out all the details and possibly even post the TSB information, that would be great.

 

I just called to get some more information and the service guy said he's gonna get it to my friend who owns the dealership, so he can get it to me. He called it the Computer Flash TSB, if that helps at all. I asked him for a copy of the TSB so hopefully I'll get it, and we can put it up on here for anyone who has questions.

Honestly everything with my car was perfect as well, up until the light came on. It felt very fast, shifted smooth (now that I have 10k miles on), and handled great. But still, I may have only been getting 95% out of the car, versus now I may be getting 100%. And that 5% might not even be noticable to most owners, unless you actually have the change done. If you buy a car with 215 hp, but its running at 205, your still going to think its running 215 even though its not. Theres really no way to tell.

The part I find the strangest is that shifting has changed. When I drove my car home from the dealer I was like "Whoa" every time I shifted to second or third. You could actually feel the clutch bite in, and feel the power in the car. So updating the program in the ECU can certainly have a huge impact on the total driving experience.

And this is totally evidenced by guys who do stuff like the Upsolute chip, which is only another ECU program also.

 

Here's a link to another guy with an early car (WMichaels) who apparently went to get his car chipped only to find out his computer was programmed to that of an SL 350, when it really should be programmed to an SLK 320. So I'm wondering if this is what the TSB is all about. My research shall continue


https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ht=flashed+ECU

 

NJspeed69, I have to ask you about the shifting improvement.

Assuming your talking about the manual 6spd, I can't possibly see how the ECU program can affect the mechanical engagement of the clutch or the similar mechanics of the gear changing. You will have to enlighten me on this. It's one thing to have increased power from the engine but to see definite improvement in how the clutch or transmission is functioning baffles me. Mind you, I'm not a mechanic but I thought I knew enough about how a cars clutch/manual transmission worked to know that the computer program was something different altogether.
Maybe somethings happening under the hood that I don't know about??

 

I don't understand how that could be even remotely possible... the SL 350 is a 3.7 liter motor and ours is a 3.2 liter motor. There really isn't any way this could be possible...

 

Well, I got the TSB and I posted the basic information on the TSB in another post.

However since we are discussing it here.. In response to the two above asked questions.. I'm just going to say.. "I dont know."

I have no clue how WMichaels car said it was programmed as an SL.. I was just reporting on what he said.. lol...

As for how my clutch can feel different, I have no idea how! But it sure as hell does, and its not just power. It definately bites in more. When going into gear, I just can feel it engage a lot more than before, regardless of speed or RPMs.. I dont know how to explain it.. It kinda feels more responsive when putting it out of gear too.. (like 2nd to neutral)
I dont know how the PCM affects it.. but if you told me they put in a new clutch along with reflashing the ECU, or as they call it in the bulletin, Power Control Module, I'd totally believe it.

And looking back to when I first bought my car.. shifting was notchy and rough, like shifting through a bucket of rocks.. it got better with time.. but now.. its just so silky sexy smooth.

Is there possibly a difference between the ECU and PCM? I am guessing they are one and the same.

Also this TSB only affects those cars built on or before December 13, 2003.

 

Mercedes Benz regularly upgrade ECU software across all of their engines, however they rarely flash it to customer's cars when in for service unless their is a reason for it (problem, customer complaint). It's quite likely that they have upgraded the software many times since the initial production run of the xfire.

I can probably get an MB history of the ECU software upgrades to the SLK320 engine.

 

If they flash upgrade you will lose any chip settings you may have obtained independently.

 

I brought mine in yesterday and they said no updates were available

 

NJ perhaps the better clutch performance is do to better throttle responce. Therefor making your timing with gas and bite point more efficient.

If the dealer flashes ecu on a regular service, I am going to be in for trouble. Don't even know how to handle that one. Can't tell the dealer not to flash because he will no I have done a ECU upgrade. Warrenty will be void.

 

Pereze, you have #6065 and I have #6060.

I don't know how there would be no updates available for yours, I mean your car was probably rolled out 10 minutes after mine... but who knows? I'd give them the TSB # and tell them that your friend had 6060 and you have 6065.. maybe tell them that mine feels faster than yours now that the flash was done? I don't know.

R. Robertson, I don't think they will flash when you just have it in for service.. It's not a recall.. just a TSB, meaning that if you don't complain or ask, they won't do a thing. TSBs are just fixes for common problems.

 

Ok, I'm really dumb with cars. How do I find out what production number MY Crossfire is? hear people referencing 'my car is number "8500", etc.' but don't know how to find this for myself. Please let me know at jphuff@***.net.

Thanks!

 

I guess I really have a very early car...002889. I have had no issues, no check engine light, etc. From the sound of this thread, maybe I should go out and hammer it to set a code, and get the ECU upgrade?

 

Sinthor, it's the last several digits of your VIN, following the "x".

 

I have the same problem, 2004 Xfire 2,700 miles, so if anybody find out how to, please tell us.

Thanks!

 

To anyone who's dealership says they don't need the update when you know that you do:

My car is 6,100 something made in September of 03'... I work at a dealer... When the tech puts the VIN into TechConnect the update is not shown. Strange so we went to the tab that shows the build date and the field was empty.. We ran a VIN inquiry and low and behold there was no build date there either... I'm sure there must be other early crossfires missing the build date too.. Thus the reason for TechConnect not identifying the car as needing the update even though it DID.