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Old 09-07-2011, 09:39 AM   #1
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Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

With utter disappointment, I discovered on our Labor Day trip from Omaha to Winnipeg and back that our new (2000 mi.) SMB Sprinter has a SPEED GOVERNOR! Set to about 82 MPH. Couldn't find a thing about this in the forum. Can anyone share information about override? Called the local M-B service and they say "no can do." Heading West to LA in a couple weeks. 82 MPH will get us a fast lane - too slow violation for sure on the 405!
I'm not lookin' to burn rubber or skate along at 90 but being able to hit 85 when passing a long semi would be really nice.
On the good side of speed, the low-roof PH version performed like a champ in high velocity quartering winds north and south on I29.
Absolutely shocked that I didn't read a thing here or hear about this before.
Love this forum!
Michael B. in Omaha

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Old 09-07-2011, 10:17 AM   #2
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Hi;

Google search of "Sprinter speed limiter removal" nets this:

http://www.inmotionusa.com/sprintergraphs.html

Seems like a no brainer.

Regards,

Gavin
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Old 09-07-2011, 09:02 PM   #3
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Larger tires?



Google turned up mostly old results for me (like 2002 sprinters), for which getting the chip flashed:
Quote:
I have had a very good experience through Gunther Heckman at InmotionUSA
http://www.inmotionusa.com/sprintergraphs.html

I shipped my Freightliner 2002 Sprinter ECU to him on a Monday (really easy to remove - no tools - just above drivers left knee)
He flashed it and returned that Friday (FL - Oregon - FL)

I am now able to run well in excess of 110mph and the vehicle is MUCH more responsive throughout the entire power curve
Also, it's supposed to be 5th only- don't know if you can do faster in 4th but it would be interesting to find out.

Also- 83 seems to be a common limit for the sprinters, which you know with the speed limit in Texas being 85 now... http://consumerist.com/2011/09/texas-up ... 5-mph.html
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Old 09-08-2011, 01:30 PM   #4
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

HI and thanks for comments. Yep, saw the inmotion ECU retune site. First impression was that it looked pretty sketchy and their response to phone calls is a message machine. Using their service is a tough decision considering the possibility of voiding a warranty on a brand new M-B by messing with the ECU. Would love to hear from another Sprinter owner who may have had success in bypassing the speed limiter. Or any info about it.
Thanks folks.
MB
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Old 09-08-2011, 08:25 PM   #5
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

I would try other MB and Freightliner shops. If they do it, they are legally only allowed to adjust up to your tire's speed rating.

I'd skip anything aftermarket. Good way to lose your warranty. Especially considering MB isn't as familiar with the aftermarket tuners like pickup makers are.
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Old 09-09-2011, 10:10 AM   #6
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Discussed at length in various threads here, http://sprinter-source.com/forum/index.php

I have 60k miles on my Sprinter, a great majority of it in California, and have never had a problem keeping up with the flow of traffic.
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Old 09-09-2011, 04:53 PM   #7
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

That's because you live in Northern California. At 82-85 mph you will be a road boulder on some of the Southern California desert highways.

Mike
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Old 09-09-2011, 05:20 PM   #8
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Road boulder! That's exactly why we can't go fast around here. I've been on dirt roads in Alaska that are better than some of our freeways. And wait until I get to Texas next month where the speed limit was just raised to 85. I hope the right hand lane is nice and smooth.
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Old 09-11-2011, 11:49 AM   #9
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Hey Michael B. in Omaha,

If you end up overriding the governor on your Sprinter, can I take out a life insurance policy on you?
I'm always interested in an easy investment with a great return that will pay back quickly

Thanks!

BTW - keep in mind when you set foot in CA that the state is broke so it's no secret that CHP ticket writing has become another form of taxation on drivers.
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Old 09-11-2011, 01:55 PM   #10
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Re: Sprinter Speed governor - oh, no....

Quote:
Originally Posted by windguy
Hey Michael B. in Omaha,

If you end up overriding the governor on your Sprinter, can I take out a life insurance policy on you?
I'm always interested in an easy investment with a great return that will pay back quickly
So you're saying he's better off spending more time in the other lane when he's trying to pass a truck?

I prefer to get by as quick as I can. My E350 had a 100 MPH governor which drove me nuts, so I fixed that with a programmer.
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