Do I have the right DME?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Black Stallion

Hi, folks. I have a 2000 S that I bought last winter. While tinkering with the car, I apparently fried the DME. Rather than having the DME rebuilt, I purchased a DME/Immobilizer/Key Fob kit from a salvage yard, and installed it. It came from a 2002. The installation was successful, and I was able to run my car without problems (mostly).

Ever since the swap, my cruise control light has remained lit on the dash regardless of the button position on the stalk, but I have no cruise control. I have always attributed this to the thought that the "new" DME came from a car that didn't have cruise. I figured that I would just need to take it to the dealer to have the cruise map turned on in the DME. I had never bothered with it until now, as cruise is a luxury, and didn't really affect my driving.

However, in driving it this spring, I discovered that my A/C compressor doesn't seem to be working. I decided to take it to the dealer to fix the A/C and the cruise. The dealer states that he read a CAN-BUS error, and that my '02 DME is not compatible with my '00 car. I thought that I was fine, as long as I didn't get an '03+ DME. The salvage yard is willing to work with me to find a '00 DME, but they say that they have never heard of an issue like this.

SO, the big question is......do I need specifically an '00 DME/Immobilizer/Key Fob, or is there some other issue with my '02 DME?

Thanks for the assistance!

In 2000, the DME did not use CAN bus technology, in 2001 the DME had some CAN bus routed systems, in 2002 the DME use of CAN bus technology was more widespread. So while the DME software version remains the same, a lot of other things are programmed differently. It is my understanding that this can be overcome by reprogramming, but that is going to be costly and time consuming as it requires the use of a PST II or PIWIS system.

You would probably be better off getting a quote to repair the original unit, or find another 2000 DME.

[paulv]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

In 2000, the DME did not use CAN bus technology, in 2001 the DME had some CAN bus routed systems, in 2002 the DME use of CAN bus technology was more widespread. So while the DME software version remains the same, a lot of other things are programmed differently. It is my understanding that this can be overcome by reprogramming, but that is going to be costly and time consuming as it requires the use of a PST II or PIWIS system.

You would probably be better off getting a quote to repair the original unit, or find another 2000 DME.

JFP,

Thx for jumping in here (and helping Black Stallion) and for the education (for me)!

Regards,
paul...

[Black Stallion]

Thanks, JFP. That's pretty much what I gathered as well, though my understanding of which years used it was off. Regardless, my dealer (who surely has a PIWIS or PST-2) has never expressed an ability or desire to actually re-program the '02 DME.

I guess I'm on the look-out for a used '00 DME. I will swap you out for a great '02 DME!!!

I'm guess I'm still a bit surprised that the car even runs with the '02 DME. Am I correct in thinking that I won't need a new immobilizer/key fob, just the right DME?

Alan

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Black Stallion

Thanks, JFP. That's pretty much what I gathered as well, though my understanding of which years used it was off. Regardless, my dealer (who surely has a PIWIS or PST-2) has never expressed an ability or desire to actually re-program the '02 DME.

I guess I'm on the look-out for a used '00 DME. I will swap you out for a great '02 DME!!!

I'm guess I'm still a bit surprised that the car even runs with the '02 DME. Am I correct in thinking that I won't need a new immobilizer/key fob, just the right DME?

Alan

The correct DME will accept the IPASS codes for your immobilizer, etc.