About: Mercedes w220 ESPmodule Variant Coding, esp. for C1511-005 Coding ErrorVariant Coding is incorrect
Model:2002 Mercedes-Benz w220 s55
What is variant coding:
The variant coding in question is set by using factory data. That factory data is basically what chassis that engine control unit is bolted to. Things like weight of the car, yaw sensor and acceleration sensor parameters, moment arms, etc etc.
Once the engine control unit “learns” its variant coding, it is permanently and irrevocably locked down.
* Mercedes Variant Coding requirement:
Star diagnostic tool (better MB star Compact C4 or Mercedes BENZ C5), ebay or obd2tool.com
A specialized laptop, second-hand ok
Working software, original/crack…both ok
(if you’re newbies, better use a diagnostic bundle, avoid lots of issues)
What is C1511-005 Coding Error:
The ESP module reads the variant coding from the ECU. Once read, its ” soft” locked.
Your trouble code suggests that the ESP module has a variant coding that differs from that of the ECU.
Is this a recent occurrence? Did you perhaps have an third party ECU tune performed? Was the ESP module replaced ? Is the trouble code stored or current ?
How to do W220 ESP Variant Coding correctly:
If you have a STAR diagnostic tool such as SD connect C4, and it sounds like you may, go to the ESP module under
CONTROL UNITS
CHASSIS
ESP
Fault Codes
Select C1511-005
1.to the right it should say CURRENT or STORED
hit F8
It should show you how many time the car has ben started after the code was detected. “0” means the fault is CURRENT, any number greater than 0 the fault should be STORED and past history. The ( obviously ) higher the number of start cycles the longer ago it was.
(If it was a long ago and a stored code, I would clear it and move on. If it is current, you can force a variant locking reset of the ESP module in STAR diagnostic and see if the code returns. If the trouble code returns, that would make it a current and ongoing error. If that turns out to be the case then perhaps the ESP module has gone “breasts skyward”.)
2.Double click C1511-005
Read the pre conditions
hit F3
read the sequence and follow it to (hopefully) force a variant coding re-read/write.
It would seem that the ESP reads the ECU on every start up. Having a bad TCU MAY be contributing to the ECU variant coding being off kilter. I would think there would be some P2000-P2564 series codes displayed for that though.
I have no training as a MB mech/tech and offer this as just a possible direction to proceed in. The ( very ) highly paid professionals at the Dollarship or the ( not so ) highly paid folks at a good independent shop should/would have the final say.
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