290 replies to this topic

[craig333]

I wasn't aware of ratcheting towel holders. I may have to upgrade!

[Hodakaguy]

I wasn't aware of ratcheting towel holders. I may have to upgrade!

They are pretty slick!   I ordered two more units to put in the House and the Shop. 

 

Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Installed a larger fuel tank? Need to have the J51 fuel gauge program installed so your gauge works correctly? Easily....do it yourself !! No dealer needed!

A while back I installed a new S&B 47 gallon fuel tank in our 2017 4x4 Sprinter (NCV3) and afterwards my gauge wasn't quite working correctly. I was told the fix is to have Mercedes flash the J51 fuel program (Description below) into my van to fix the gauge issue, but when I stopped by my dealer I was told that Mercedes will no longer allow dealers to flash the J51 program if you've modified your fuel system...including installing a larger tank. Dang! Time for a different solution.

Note on the J51 Fuel Program: Mercedes has two programs they use to determine how your fuel gauge functions. With their Fuel Tank Algorithm Activated the level sender in the fuel tank tells the computer when the tank is full and then the computer stops using the float and the gauge is an estimation of fuel left from that point on, based on fuel consumption etc) But if you have a diesel heater installed that's pulling fuel from the tank each night then the van won't know this extra fuel is being used and the gauge won't reflect this, you could end up with an empty tank and the fuel gauge still showing fuel. No good!.....Enter the second fuel program.
When the Fuel Tank Algorithm is Deactivated (J51 program) then the gauge actually uses the fuel sender in the fuel tank at all times and shows you a legitimate reading through the range, even if something like a diesel heater is using extra fuel. (Note that your range to empty will still be inaccurate, but the gauge will function correctly). Perfect! Just remember that when the gauge is empty it will be Empty with very little reserve.)

I read that the Thinkdiag brand of scan tools have the ability to not only scan and reset codes but will allow you to perform variant coding...which is where you change the fuel/gauge programs. Also I read where people have successfully used these tools to Install the J51 program in Sprinters...yes! (J51 = Deactivate the Fuel Tank Algorithm). With that i ordered the Thinkdiag 2 programmer ($119 on Amazon "link Below") and anxiously waited for it to arrive. The Thinkdiag2 plugs into your OBD2 port and uses your phone or a tablet (need internet connection) to control the system via Bluetooth.
Fast forward to today and I successfully and easily installed the J51 program in minutes! This tool will be awesome to carry in the van as it is a powerful troubleshooting tool as well allowing you to manually force systems, plus does normal stuff like clear SRS codes, etc.

Note on Android vs IPhone: The Thinkdiag app is available on both platforms but has limited functionality with the Iphone. On the Iphone changing Variant coding isn't available. If you want to change variant codes (like the fuel programs) then that can only be done on the Android platform/App.

After downloading the Thinkdiag+ app and entering the serial number and activation code included with the unit I was ready to get started. I took screen shots to step you through the entire process if you are looking to do the same setup

I tested this on my fathers VS30 (2021 Revel) and although there is a TON of Variant coding available I couldn't locate the ability to change the Fuel programing for the gauge cluster like I could on the NCV3 models. It's still an awesome powerful tool to carry with you in the van but appears it can't flash the J51 program on the newer vans if that's what your after.


Supplies used:

Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!

Thinkdiag2 Scan Tool: CLICK HERE


The tool comes nicely packaged and a zip up carry case is included.












After you register the unit (Comes with a 1 year activation code) and update the firmware on the device through the phone app your ready to go. Let's get into installing the J51 Code. 1st Turn your ignition key to the "On" position and click on the "All Systems Diagnostic button".




Next click on "Vin Decoding". The unit will locate your vin and verify the vehicle model and year your working with.




Next press "Automatically Search".




Next select your year range, for me it is 2013 and up.




Diesel engine for me




Left hand steering.




Automatic Transmission




Next click "System Selection".




Now click "Information and Communication"




Next is "Variant Coding". This is where we we will find/change the Fuel Programs for the Level Gauge.




Now we select "Instrument Cluster"


 
Continued Below.....

Edited by Hodakaguy, 11 February 2023 - 02:19 PM.

[Hodakaguy]

Continued from above....

 

Now select "Fuel Tank"




We are after item number 3 here.  We want the New Tank Algorithm to say Deactivated.  Here we can see it's Activated on my van.  (J51 Fuel program = Deactivated on the New Tank Algorithm).  Click on number 3.




Next Click Deactivated then scroll to the bottom of the page.




Click "OK" to accept Deactivated.




Now we show "Deactivated" on number 3 but we haven't written the change to the ECU yet.  To save the changes to the van Click "Writing Code" in the lower left corner and follow next steps.




Press "Yes" to confirm that you want to write the change to the ECU.




Next turn the Ignition Switch to "Off" then press ok




Turn the Ignition Switch back to "On" and press ok.




And your done, J51 Fuel Program is now installed!




Hope this helps.

Hodakaguy

 

 

[craig333]

That's nice but something tells me its out of my budget.

[Ted]

That's nice but something tells me its out of my budget.

 

Craig, everything on this van is out of our budget. 

 

And that is on top of not having the tools or skills shown throughout this build.

[craig333]

Very true Ted. Especially the skills part

[Hodakaguy]

Just returned from a 4k mile family road trip to AZ, Death Valley and NV.  We had a blast and the Vans performed great!   Dad loved his new camper setup!  Sooooo much to explore out there, I absolutely love the AZ & NV Desert!   Some of the Highlights from this trip:  Bonny & Clyde's Death Car, The Worlds tallest Thermometer, Classic Route 66, The Ghost Towns of Jerome, Two Guns, Rhyolite & Skidoo.  Death Valley, Abandoned mines & wild weather for this time of year.

I started a FB Group where I'll document pictures & details of our trips in one place.  You can join my FB group (Hodakaguy's Travels & Adventures) if you'd like to follow along on our Trips.  Group is here:  https://www.facebook...765075118271516

Here's a few pics of this last trip.  I posted almost 900 pictures on my FB Group for this trip, it's just to many pics to document in the forums.
























Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Snapped an early morning pic with my Phone this morning. Placed a pocket RGB light inside the van for a bit of color.



Hodakaguy

[Hodakaguy]

Scanngauge Upgrade from the II to the III.  

If your not familiar with the Scanngauges they are almost a must have in my opinion. Totally customizable and allows you to see and monitor all the info that the vans ECU (computer) is able to see. You can watch things such as Coolant Temp, Turbo/Exhaust Temp, Transmission Temp, DP across your Particle Filter, Know when your engine is doing a Regen Cycle, Engine Oil Temp, Boost Pressure, Engine % Load (Great when driving for fuel economy), MPG, DTE, Speed (You can calibrate to your GPS so you can have correct speed, DTE, MPG Etc even with larger tires!). And a Ton More.

I've ran the older Scanngauge II for the past 5 years and it's been great but only shows you 4 info fields at a time. The new Scanngauge III allows you to see up to 9 fields of info at a time and has 3 pages you can swipe through...27 total fields . It's also in full RGB color and you can set alarms for any of the points your monitoring...nice!

It comes with a windshield mount but I fabricated an aluminum mounting plate and attached it to the dash using 3M VHB tape. The same setup I had with my older model and I find the placement perfect for me, easily viewable and out of the way...plus I can put my Vanmadegear window shades up without having to remove the Scanngauge from the window

Highly recommended if your a nerd like me and love monitoring your vehicles vitals

The Scanngauge II next to the III.  The III is quite a bit bigger but once mounted it doesn't get in the way at all.  I'll make a similar mount as the one I had on my Scangauge II but I'll angle it a bit more towards the driver.

Supplies used:

Note: The links below are my Amazon Affiliate links, I make a small portion each time someone purchases from Amazon using one of my links, at no extra cost to the buyer. I only provide links to items that I personally like and use myself. i use the money to put back into my builds and support making videos/posts. If you prefer not to use my links you can search for the same items directly off Amazon. Thank you for the support!

Scanngauge III: CLICK HERE





Taking a piece of aluminum plate and laying out the mount.  I'll cut it out with a Jig Saw.




Hole drilled for the cable that attaches the OBD2 Port to the Scanngauge






Bent it in the Vise




Getting ready to paint.  I taped off the areas where I'll apply the VHB tape.




And painted Black








Applying the VHB Tape










Continued Below....