[bac]

Remember the software is adaptive, so it's going to learn how you drive. You can reset the adaptation with STAR if you like.

Yes, but as soon as you spend any time in traffic afterwards it is all too eager to relearn how to revert to 'driving Miss Daisy' mode...

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

You can reset the adaptation with STAR if you like.

Hmm, I've tried the ignition switch/gas pedal trick to 'reboot' the tranny but haven't actually reset the adaptions in STAR.

Do both procedures accomplish the same thing or does the STAR reset do more?

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

Remember the software is adaptive, so it's going to learn how you drive. You can reset the adaptation with STAR if you like.

Software version wise I'll have to check - I'm not found my multiplexer yet! I know there are a load of dates for the 7G, most are "update if customer complains" sort of updates.

Digging into the past with this thread, but I finally got around to resetting the adaptations with STAR. Initially there were some positives in terms of things like willingness to downshift on part throttle, but after a few days the old slow shifting behaviour had been re-learned.

So I guess my question remains the same: does anyone know what software updates are available for the 7G transmission (2004 build) and do any of them claim to address responsiveness and/or shifting patterns?

The other thing I'd like to know concerns the actual software update process in STAR. When reading through MB's procedure, they advise that SCN coding should be performed as a final step. I'd like to know if this is really necessary when updating the original gearbox (as opposed to swapping in a new unit)?

No software update I've done on any other modules has required SCN coding post-update.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

The other thing I'd like to know concerns the actual software update process in STAR. When reading through MB's procedure, they advise that SCN coding should be performed as a final step. I'd like to know if this is really necessary when updating the original gearbox (as opposed to swapping in a new unit)?

To answer my own question, here's a quote from the www.europeantransmissions.com web site:

Attention:

1. As of MY 2004, transmission control module will incorporate SCN coding (Software calibration number) SCN code will need to be entered using SDS / DAS after every software update Failure to enter the SCN code after software update may result in "engine not starting"
   Tip: Ensure SCN coding is available before programming control module!

So I guess that shuts down the discussion on software updates... :crying:


Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

Brian - yes and no - there is a concept of offline/online SCN coding - if the version of Star you are using allows firmware updates with offline SCN, you would be able to update the 7g. This is one of the reasons I keep an older version propped up on XP! I'd have to look, but I want to say it was a late (10/10, 12/10) 2010 version before the full Xentry integration.

This is where my understanding of the process gets a little foggy. I'm familiar with the concept of offline coding and have actually used it to update my AGW software.

However, what doesn't make sense to me is how offline mode can remove the need for SCN coding of a module that would normally require it. My understanding is the main difference between the modes is the SCN is delivered electronically in real time from an MB server in online mode, whereas in offline mode you need to have the SCN data string generated and delivered to you somehow (email, etc.) to manually enter into Xentry/DAS.

So if I'm correct in the above, how does offline mode actually help? As far as I know, there are no other methods (MB approved or not) of generating the SCN coding string so you'd still need access to MB's coding servers in some shape or form.

Admittedly I have no experience with any of the 'golden' releases of DAS, but I would have thought offline mode would operate in the same way regardless of the DAS/Xentry version. Unless perhaps some versions are able to 'copy' the existing coding string prior to the update and then 'paste' it back afterwards...

Please enlighten me - happy for this to be via a PM if more appropriate...

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

With just a little pressure on the loud pedal, it kicked down one or two gears and within seconds I was doing 90. :surprise:

Similarly, when passing slower traffic on A roads, only moderate pressure is required to drop two ratios and shoot past safely.

This is exactly what I'm talking about - my gearbox does not do this.

If I want it to kick down one gear (let alone two), I have to bury the accelerator past the detent 'click' position (more than 50% travel) to get any action. Similarly, the box is all too keen to shift up a gear when I am lightly accelerating and nowhere near the rev limit in the current gear, making the car bog down.

My car is an Aussie delivered ROW vehicle, so it shouldn't have come with any USA spec 'relaxed' shifting mode software (if such a thing exists!) It has also been serviced recently and had the learned adaptations cleared.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

Brian, I find I also have to apply a lot of travel to get the downshift. On the + side mine doesnt upshift as much as you mention. Your welcome to take it for a drive to compare.

Thanks for the offer, but your car has a different motor to mine and a much later build of the 7G gearbox so I'm not sure I'd learn much from the comparison.

I suspect there's been running changes to the design and/or componentry of the box in the 4 years between our two cars being manufactured that means I wouldn't be able to get mine to behave like yours through a software update... :crying:

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

Sorry to hear this. Completely left field comment this, but are you sure it's the gearbox software?

Pretty sure.

e.g. Could the engine be down on power/compression in one or more cylinders causing the box to upshift sooner and avoid high revs?

Definite 'no' on that front - my car has been tweaked and tuned and is very healthy in the engine department. Probably one of the quicker pre-facelift SLK350s in Melbourne... :wink:

Another thought: Has the box got stuck in C comfort mode somehow, even though the display shows 'S'? I seem to remember reading similar on another MB forum (not SLK model)

Nope - I can happily cycle between 'C', 'S' and 'M' modes with the selector button and the gearbox responds accordingly. Activating 'M' mode buy pulling the left shift paddle also works as it should. I've also looked in DAS for any stored transmission error codes but there are none.

Two main possibilities remain that I can see: as my car was a very early production date (mid 2004) perhaps I ended up with a not-quite-polished version of gearbox software. The other is I have been a manual transmission driver all my life and maybe I'm just frustrated with having to use an auto box in a fairly powerful sports car.

If someone else with a pre-facelift 7G car and access to DAS would be willing to post their transmission software version then I could compare it with mine.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

Hi, did you get any answer about that software update ?
Is offline SCN coding of any help, as one needs a coded string given by Mercedes anyway...

Hi, sorry for the late reply.

I never did get an answer on this - only vague references to using offline coding, which as you correctly point out still requires a method of generating the code string.

I'm still not 100% convinced that you would need to SCN code an existing system just because you're upgrading the software version on it. I was able to update the software on my AGW without having to code it, but I'm not prepared to experiment on my transmission without assurances.

Cheers,
Brian

 

[bac]

I have exactly the same problem and it has been like this since new.

If I increase the throttle to 75% over about a second nothing happens, then nothing happens, then nothing happens, then the gearbox changes down about 3 gears and all hell breaks loose.

But after driving like a maniac for a week the only difference I could detect was the gearbox held onto low gears for longer on the overrun (ie; more engine braking). It was still just as slow to respond to throttle increase.

I also find the gearbox sometimes momentarily changes up on acceleration, especially from the overrun, before it changes down - infuriating.

Thank you for so perfectly describing the problem! This is exactly what mine does as well and I'm 99% sure it must be a software issue.

How an 'intelligent' gearbox thinks it's desirable to change up a gear when you press the accelerator rather than hold it or change down when it's supposedly operating in 'sport' mode (and I use the term loosely) is just beyond me...

The fact that you have a newer model car with later gearbox software than mine does not give me much hope for finding a solution.

Cheers,
Brian