AMG Menu Coding - ELM327 — User Guide

What is AMG Menu Coding?

Many non-AMG W204 and W212 instrument clusters (IC_204) contain the AMG menu in their software, but it is switched off. AMG Menu Coding writes the bytes that enable it into the cluster EEPROM through the OBD socket. No laptop, Vediamo/DTS or Xentry required: an Android phone and a cheap ELM327 adapter are enough.

The app only touches the addresses it needs:

• Detects the cluster software number (SW0) and computes the correct security key (42 SW blocks supported)
• Backs up the complete cluster EEPROM (16 KB)
• Turns the AMG menu on or off; on some clusters fixes the CNG / pre-heat lamp that lights up after AMG activation
• Reads back and verifies every write, and restores the old value automatically on mismatch
• Restores the cluster from your own backup in case of a serious fault

Which pages appear in the menu depends on the cluster software.

What do you need?

• A W204 or W212 with an IC_204 cluster (with a supported SW0)
• An ELM327 adapter: Bluetooth or WiFi. Cheap clones work too; the app compensates for their limitations in software.
• An Android 7.0+ phone or tablet
• Ignition on, engine off, battery charged (a charger is recommended for long operations)

How to use: three steps

The buttons on the main screen unlock in order; you cannot skip a step.

1. Settings → Connection: pair the Bluetooth adapter in the phone’s Bluetooth menu first, then select it in the app. WiFi adapters usually use 192.168.0.10 : 35000.
2. 1 · Detect SW0: reads the cluster software number. If it is not found, check the SP0 number in the cluster’s hidden menu and pick it from the list. A wrong SW0 means a wrong key; the cluster rejects it but is not harmed.
3. 2 · Full Backup: reads the 16 KB EEPROM and saves it as a .bin file. Takes a few minutes. Always take a backup before writing.
4. 3 · ACTIVATE Selection: choose the operation (Enable AMG Menu, Disable AMG, CNG Lamp Fix, Pre-heat Lamp Fix) and, for AMG, the cluster type. The confirmation screen shows the value to be written. Once confirmed, the operation finishes in one go and the cluster restarts.

Choosing the cluster type

The value that enables the AMG menu depends on the cluster type: black-and-white (MONO) or colour (COLOR) display, 3 or 5 dials. In the app, the TYPE ? button next to the cluster type list opens this guide in your language.

• Find the picture that looks most like your cluster and select the matching option in the list.
• If the menu does not appear, try the other option for the same type. Every write is verified and can be undone with Disable AMG.
• If the cluster contains an unrecognised value, the app writes nothing.

Safety

Our priority is that the cluster is never damaged. Every write follows the same rules:

• The security key is tried only once per level. If rejected, the app stops; the cluster does not enter a lockout delay.
• The memory address is verified by a signature before writing. If it does not match, nothing is written.
• The current value is read first; if it is unrecognised, nothing is written.
• The written value is immediately read back and compared. On mismatch the old value is written back automatically in the same session.
• Technical details are saved to a log file; send it via Settings → Share log.

Backups and full restore

Your backups are listed under Settings → Backups with date and SW0. Tapping a backup starts a full restore. This is a repair tool: use it when the cluster does not start, shows nonsense, or broke after a failed operation.

1. Warning 1: do not do this if your cluster works fine. To turn the AMG menu off, use Disable AMG on the main screen.
2. Warning 2: odometer, service interval and cluster settings revert to the backup date.
3. Warning 3: ignition and battery check; type the confirmation word (RESTORE) to continue.
4. The app connects, reads SW0 live, compares it with the backup and automatically saves the cluster’s current state.
5. Final confirmation shows how many bytes will change and the estimated time. If you confirm, only differing blocks are written, each one is verified, and the cluster restarts.

The odometer reverts to its value on the day the backup was taken. Altering odometer readings is a crime in many countries. This feature is only for recovering a faulty cluster, and all responsibility lies with the user. A backup from another cluster is never written.

Tactrix OpenPort 2.0 (USB)

Beta · read-only

An OpenPort 2.0 can be plugged into the phone with a USB OTG cable. As it is still in testing, it is currently read-only: SW0 detection and full backup. Write operations (AMG on/off, lamp fixes, restore) are disabled for this adapter; use an ELM327 to write.

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FAQ

Important

This app writes to the cluster memory. Take a backup and read the warnings before use. The user is responsible for the use of the app. Mercedes-Benz and AMG are registered trademarks of Mercedes-Benz Group AG; this app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Mercedes-Benz.