Fuel Supply &

ME-SFI Engine
Management
Tip Start & DAS
(Part 13)

1
508 HO Part 13 Tip start & DAS (WJB) 04-01-01
These technical training materials are current as of the date noted on the materials, and may be revised or updated without notice.
Always check for revised or updated information.

To help avoid personal injury to you or others, and to avoid damage to the vehicle on which you are working, you must always refer
to the latest Mercedes- Benz Technical Publication and follow all pertinent instructions when testing, diagnosing or making repair.
Illustrations and descriptions in this training reference are based on preliminary information and may not correspond to the final US
version vehicles. Refer to the official introduction manual and WIS when available.
Copyright Mercedes- Benz USA, LLC, 2000

Reproduction by any means or by any information storage and retrieval system or translation in whole or part is not permitted
without written authorization from Mercedes- Benz USA, LLC or its successors.
Published by Mercedes- Benz USA, LLC
Printed in U. S.A.
2
 Start Criteria
In this program we will cover two basic functions
that are required to start the vehicle.

• DAS (2b & 3) - Drive Authorization System

• Tip start

3
 DAS Comparison
Year/Model 1998 1998
170/129/140/163 210/208/202/220/2
15/203
DAS system DAS 2b DAS 3
Triggered by transponder in key micro-processor in
key
Signal type inductively coupled IR
RF
Authorization RFL (N54/3) EIS (N73)
checked by AAM/DAS (163)
Unauthorized start No fuel – may No fuel – ignition
result crank briefly switch
locked, steering or
shifter locked
(chassis
dependent)

4
 DAS 2b
All of the keys include Transponder chips

Maximum of 8 (active) keys per vehicle. 5

 Key Coding

Key 1 Variable Code

Key 2 Variable Code
Key 3 Variable Code
Key 4 Variable Code
Key 5 Variable Code
Key 6 Variable Code
Key 7 Variable Code
Key 8 Variable Code

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 DAS 2b

Fuel ECM

Flasher
relay
N54
DAS control module

RF Antenna PSE

(M-Class varies slightly)

7
 M-Class
(As of MY 2000)

Immobilizer N10/1-n1
instead of
N54
N10/1 EAM

8
 EAM/DAS Function
(N10/1)/(N10/1-n1)
Immobilizing function
Engine ECU
Transponder Driveaway Interlock
Key (N3) System

Engine-CAN-Bus

DAS EAM
(N10/1-n1) (N10/1)
Immobilizer-
Transponder coil
in Ignition Lock

9
 Diagnosing Starting Problems:
Note: Pay attention to the red LED on the dash and the odometer readout!

Situation # 1

Symptoms Possible cause

NO LED flash Key transponder

“Start error” in odometer or
Engine may crank DAS

If engine starts OK with different key,

then the key is defective.
If there is no fault memory, Immobilizer or EAM (N10/1)
are suspect. 10
 Diagnosing Starting Problems:
Note: Pay attention to the red LED on the dash and the odometer readout!

Situation # 2

Symptoms Possible cause

No LED flash
No message in odometer CAN defect
No engine cranking

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 Diagnosing Starting Problems:
Note: Pay attention to the red LED on the dash and the odometer readout!

Situation # 3

Symptoms Possible cause

LED does flash ME system

“Start error” in odometer or open circuit 50
Engine will crank to ME (N3)

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 Diagnosing Starting Problems:
Note: Pay attention to the red LED on the dash and the odometer readout!

Situation # 4

Symptoms Possible cause

LED does flash ME system

No message in odometer without power
No engine cranking

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 Diagnosing Starting Problems:
Note: Pay attention to the red LED on the dash and the odometer readout!

Situation # 5

Symptoms Possible cause

LED does flash

No message in odometer
Engine will crank
?

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DAS 3

The electronics in the key include:

• a radio transmitter
• an infrared unit for central locking
• an infrared unit for DAS

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 Electronic Ignition Switch
(EIS N73)
Inductive coil to power key

Key rotating coil

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DAS IR Signal

Authentication Test

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 DAS Function
ME (N3/…)

EIS (N73)
CAN

1. Key authorized
ESL (N26/5) 2. Steering unlocked
3. Key rotation allowed
4. Start authorized

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 DAS Function (215, 220)

EIS (N73)
CAN-C

215 & 220 chassis

ME (N3/…) Electronic Selector Lever Module

(ESM - N15/5)

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 Lock Data Management
Key rails First generation Replacement Replacement
key key “A” key “B”
1 Remote key
2 Remote key Key 1A Key 1B
3 Emergency key
4 Additional key
5 Additional
Additionalkey
key Key 4A
6 Additional key
7 Additional key
8 Additional key
Rolling codes 1 through 200,001 – 400,001 –
available 200,000 400,000 600,000

24 keys total - only 8 active at one time.

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Green Key
Required for:
• replacing EIS
(order with VIN)
• reinstating a
blocked key

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 Service Tips
• You must have a green workshop key containing
vehicle lock data when replacing the EIS.

• Insert green workshop key into EIS, observe LED on

green key.
LED “on” indicates data transfer in process.
(May take up to 90 minutes to complete process.)
LED “blinking” indicates data flow interrupted.
LED shuts off when data transfer is completed.
 Service Tips
• Function check all keys in ignition switch.

• Use HHT or SDS to “activate EIS” this will marry the

EIS to the vehicle.

• If the ESL won’t respond when the key is inserted,

remove the fuse for the ESL to reset lock position.

• 215, 220 - When replacing the EIS, the ESM also

needs time to change the codes after the green key
LED goes out. Ignition in the “on” position, may take
up to 90 minutes.
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 Transport Protection
• EIS and ESL devices are locked during transport to
prevent unauthorized use.

• To release transport protection:

For EIS this is done automatically when using the
green key.
For the ESL, the HHT or SDS must be used to
disengage the transport protection and activate the
unit.
 Other Terms
• Personalization
– Security-relevant vehicle specific data
which allows part to be tested in vehicle.
• Activated
– Parts are married to car. Can not be used
on another vehicle.
• Test Counter
– Test mode counter starts at 149 and goes
down to 0. At 0, parts becomes married.
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 Service Tips for M-Class
(As of MY 2000)

If the EAM (N10/1) has to be replaced:

1. Insert the existing DAS (N10/1-n1) into the new
EAM (N10/1)

If the DAS (N10/1-n1) has to be replaced:

1. Order DAS (N10/1-n1) for the vehicle using the VIN.
2. Insert the new DAS (N10/1-n1) into the EAM (N10/1).

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To order a new key:
1. Order key using the VIN.
2. Teach the remote part of the key to
the AAM2 (N10) via SDS.
3. DAS function should work immediately.
4. A replacement key will not work until
the LED goes out. (Ignition on)

If the ME ECU (N3) has to be changed:

Install new ME ECU (N3).

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If the complete lock set needs to be
replaced:
1. Replace -
• DAS (N10/1-n1)
• ME (N3)
• All mechanical locks

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 Review Questions
• How many keys can be used at one time on a vehicle
equipped with DAS?
• 8

• How many keys are available on a vehicle with DAS 3?

• 24, but only 8 keys can be used at one time.

• How is the key powered up in a DAS 3 vehicle?

• Inductively.
 Tip Start
Advantages
• Customer convenience.
• Protect the flywheel.
• Protect the starter motor.
• Will ensure to a point that the engine will start
on the first attempt.

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 Tip Start Activation
CAN 1. DAS
authorized
N15 ME
start signal,
EIS circuit 50 >
60mS
2. Coolant
temp, RPM
and P/N
Starter
relay evaluated
CKP ECT Starter 3. Start relay
activated

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 Tip Start Relays
SL
M Location varies with
C(203) application:
Fuse/relay area
Module box
Separate control module SLK
N65
E, CLK, C(202)
K40/4k2

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 Tip Start Deactivation
• When the ignition is switched off.

• When the engine control module recognizes the

engine is running. (Engine speed of 400 to 600 RPM
is reached.)

• When the maximum starting time limit is exceeded.

(Temperature dependent.)

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 Acronyms
CAN - Controller Area Network
CKP - Crankshaft Position Sensor
DAS - Drive Authorization System
EAM -Extended Activity Module
ECM -Electronic Control Module
ECT - Engine Coolant Temperature
ESL - Electronic Steering Lock
ESM - Electronic Shifter Module
HHT - Hand Held Tester
IR - Infra Red
LED - Light Emitting Diode
RF - Radio Frequency
SDS - Star Diagnostic System 34