[W126 Coupe] MBCOUPES Digest, Vol 61, Issue 8

[Gerry Van Zandt]

JIm,

Usually a faulty EZL module will either cut all electrical signal to one entire cylinder bank, or both. They cannot really be rebuilt, despite the claims of some "rebuilders". I've not seen good success with remanufactured units. I'd call Beckmann and check with them, as their reputation on other reman ports is impeccable and they will be honest and straightforward with you as to whether then can realistically do EZLs.

I recently had the EZL go out on my 1994 E500 (with an M119 engine) but happened to have a spare unit on hand that I picked up for $800 (it was used). The main issue was that the engine was running on four cylinders -- the left bank was entirely dead (electrically).

The M117 EZLs seem to be a bit more reliable than the more complex M119 units, and certainly there are plenty of viable M117/560SEC-L units out there used. I believe a used one can be had for $250-300 at a wrecking yard, perhaps less if one looks hard enough.  On the M119 they tend to go from $750-1200 used ... they were up to $3,200 earlier this year, but have dropped in recent months to around the $2,800-2,900 price range. M117 units are a bit cheaper new, and are still available from MB if you choose to go that route.

EZLs are readily available on eBay for our cars, or from a Mercedes recyler such as Potomac German Auto or Aurora Auto Wrecking there in Seattle.

Two things when one replaces an EZL:

a) be sure to purchase and install a new coil at the time you retrofit a replacement (new or used) EZL on the car. Many mechanics believe a "dirty" signal from a bad coil can hasten the demise of an EZL.  It's cheap insurance and coils are often overlooked parts anyway ... particularly on our coupes with their age and all.

b) be sure that the replacement EZL is mounted with a good coat of "thermal paste" between the bottom of the EZL and the inner fender surface. This is VERY important so as to transmit the heat away from the EZL and to the car itself. Heat is the enemy of the EZL and can dramatically cause it to fail. Generally this is a white or silvery paste that is thermally conductive -- same stuff that sits between a microprocessor chip and a heat sink in a PC.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Gerry
(Seattle native, recently of Portland 13 years, now in Houston, TX)

 

On Monday, August 10, 2009, at 11:15AM, Jim Houk wrote:

>  The 560SEC has stalled/shut down on the road with my wife driving. 

>Engine just stops. Starts right up and is then ok.

>

>The SEC has about 89K. Replaced the fuel pump relay last April 2008 with 

>a new unit, installed the back up relay to see if maybe the new relay 

>was faulty.

>

>On my other SEC when the ezl went out -- it would not start at all until 

>it was replaced.

>

>Are there any warning signs when the EZL starts to fail or is it all at 

>once? Can they be remanufactured? Has any one used Beckmann to rebuild 

>one? or should a used one be located and kept on hand?

>

>All suggestions are welcome.

>

>Jim Houk

>Silverdale, Wa

>1990 560SEC - 1972 350SL