From jeffreyt06 at comcast.net Sat Mar 1 13:20:36 2008 From: jeffreyt06 at comcast.net (jeffreyt06 at comcast.net) Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2008 18:20:36 +0000 Subject: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking Message-ID: <030120081820.2122.47C99E74000B67160000084A2215567074C0CF9B970A9D00000A06@comcast.net> My 91 300CE, which I love, has a leaking oil pan gasket. I thought I was going to be "big tough man" and say screw you to the rip off MB dealer and do it myself. I bought the new gasket, and when I looked under the engine, it was very scary. Now I am stuck! One repair shop said they had to lift the engine out to change the oil pan gasket. Is this true? I was sure I could do this myself. Thanks for any info. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From J.Hirsch at mac.com Sat Mar 1 13:26:58 2008 From: J.Hirsch at mac.com (Jay Hirsch) Date: Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:26:58 -0500 Subject: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking In-Reply-To: <030120081820.2122.47C99E74000B67160000084A2215567074C0CF9B970A9D00000A06@comcast.net> References: <030120081820.2122.47C99E74000B67160000084A2215567074C0CF9B970A9D00000A06@comcast.net> Message-ID: <22c5d5a0a110b45a9f07aa2919b9436c@mac.com> Oil under the pan Part of being a "well built car," is ease of service, which MB is not. Since the early 1980s MB has "lost a lot of engineering," sorry to say. keep cruisin Jay H On Mar 1, 2008, at 1:20 PM, jeffreyt06 at comcast.net wrote: > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list From dakota at mac.com Sat Mar 1 13:49:34 2008 From: dakota at mac.com (Steve Nervig) Date: Sat, 1 Mar 2008 10:49:34 -0800 Subject: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking In-Reply-To: <030120081820.2122.47C99E74000B67160000084A2215567074C0CF9B970A9D00000A06@comcast.net> References: <030120081820.2122.47C99E74000B67160000084A2215567074C0CF9B970A9D00000A06@comcast.net> Message-ID: <511F36BC-4265-4D4E-A1E4-583920CBE881@mac.com> Someone wrote: > My 91 300CE, which I love, has a leaking oil pan gasket. I thought I > was going to be "big tough man" and say screw you to the rip off MB > dealer and do it myself. I bought the new gasket, and when I looked > under the engine, it was very scary. Now I am stuck! One repair shop > said they had to lift the engine out to change the oil pan gasket. > Is this true? I was sure I could do this myself. Thanks for any info. Yikes, I never looked at the job before. It's 14 pages in the manual. I hope you have the manual. Yes you have to lift the engine (unbolt engine mounts, remove torsion bar, unbolt drag link). Is there a good indy in your area, instead of the dealer? Regards, Steve From acordova at texas.net Sun Mar 2 02:43:08 2008 From: acordova at texas.net (Alec Cordova) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 01:43:08 -0600 Subject: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking In-Reply-To: <511F36BC-4265-4D4E-A1E4-583920CBE881@mac.com> Message-ID: I remember hearing that this job involved an unexpected amount of work. Reconfirm the diagnosis. It'll of course flow down to the oil pan, but the more common leaks are at the head gasket, the valve cover gasket, or the front upper or lower timing cover. And of those, the head and the upper front timing cover are usually guilty. Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE, 233K > -----Original Message----- > From: w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com > [mailto:w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com]On Behalf Of Steve Nervig > Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 12:50 PM > To: W124 CE Coupes and Convertibles > Subject: Re: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking > > > > Someone wrote: > > > My 91 300CE, which I love, has a leaking oil pan gasket. I thought I > > was going to be "big tough man" and say screw you to the rip off MB > > dealer and do it myself. I bought the new gasket, and when I looked > > under the engine, it was very scary. Now I am stuck! One repair shop > > said they had to lift the engine out to change the oil pan gasket. > > Is this true? I was sure I could do this myself. Thanks for any info. > > Yikes, I never looked at the job before. It's 14 pages in the manual. > I hope you have the manual. > > Yes you have to lift the engine (unbolt engine mounts, remove torsion > bar, unbolt drag link). Is there a good indy in your area, instead of > the dealer? > > Regards, > Steve > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list > From decmcdermott at hotmail.com Sun Mar 2 08:58:34 2008 From: decmcdermott at hotmail.com (Declan Mc Dermott) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 13:58:34 +0000 Subject: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking In-Reply-To: References: <511F36BC-4265-4D4E-A1E4-583920CBE881@mac.com> Message-ID: Agree 100% with Alec. Also check the seal behind the front crankshaft pully as these can fail causing a leak down the front of the pan. Dec.> From: acordova at texas.net> To: w124list at mbcoupes.com> Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 01:43:08 -0600> Subject: Re: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking> > I remember hearing that this job involved an unexpected amount of work.> Reconfirm the diagnosis. It'll of course flow down to the oil pan, but the> more common leaks are at the head gasket, the valve cover gasket, or the> front upper or lower timing cover. And of those, the head and the upper> front timing cover are usually guilty.> > Alec Cordova> Taylor, Texas> 89 300CE, 233K> > > -----Original Message-----> > From: w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com> > [mailto:w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com]On Behalf Of Steve Nervig> > Sent: Saturday, March 01, 2008 12:50 PM> > To: W124 CE Coupes and Convertibles> > Subject: Re: [W124] 1991 300CE oil pan gasket leaking> >> >> >> > Someone wrote:> >> > > My 91 300CE, which I love, has a leaking oil pan gasket. I thought I> > > was going to be "big tough man" and say screw you to the rip off MB> > > dealer and do it myself. I bought the new gasket, and when I looked> > > under the engine, it was very scary. Now I am stuck! One repair shop> > > said they had to lift the engine out to change the oil pan gasket.> > > Is this true? I was sure I could do this myself. Thanks for any info.> >> > Yikes, I never looked at the job before. It's 14 pages in the manual.> > I hope you have the manual.> >> > Yes you have to lift the engine (unbolt engine mounts, remove torsion> > bar, unbolt drag link). Is there a good indy in your area, instead of> > the dealer?> >> > Regards,> > Steve> >> > _______________________________________________> > W124list mailing list> > W124list at mbcoupes.com> > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list> >> > _______________________________________________> W124list mailing list> W124list at mbcoupes.com> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mw_burley at msn.com Sun Mar 2 13:14:24 2008 From: mw_burley at msn.com (MICHAEL BURLEY) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:14:24 -0800 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness Message-ID: Hello all, I recently had the wiring harness replaced on my 1994 C320 coupe. The technicians are having problems solving a mystery involving the "Check Engine" light. They couldn't nail down the problem. It seems the computer isn't as sophisticated as the newer cars only offering 16 fault codes. They told me during the mid 90's the German govt. mandated wiring harness' (among other things) must be biodegradable. The problem is they degrade while in the car, potentially causing all manner of problems. This little repair cost me $1600 U.S. Mind you, this service was performed at an independent garage. This didn't solve the "Check Engine" lite burning, but now the tech's think they'll more easily be able to localize the fault. I have some Mercedes-Benz buyers guides that mention wiring harness problems due to heat, but never mention idiot government interference in design as the problem. Comments? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From decmcdermott at hotmail.com Sun Mar 2 13:33:30 2008 From: decmcdermott at hotmail.com (Declan Mc Dermott) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 18:33:30 +0000 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Hi Michael, The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness are well documented. What is not often realised is that the wiring which connects the throttle body to the main harness can also fail causing all sorts of running problems. Perhaps you might have this looked at. I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can be replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron - you do not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! Dec. From: mw_burley at msn.comTo: w124list at mbcoupes.comDate: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:14:24 -0800Subject: [W124] Wiring harness Hello all, I recently had the wiring harness replaced on my 1994 C320 coupe. The technicians are having problems solving a mystery involving the "Check Engine" light. They couldn't nail down the problem. It seems the computer isn't as sophisticated as the newer cars only offering 16 fault codes. They told me during the mid 90's the German govt. mandated wiring harness' (among other things) must be biodegradable. The problem is they degrade while in the car, potentially causing all manner of problems. This little repair cost me $1600 U.S. Mind you, this service was performed at an independent garage. This didn't solve the "Check Engine" lite burning, but now the tech's think they'll more easily be able to localize the fault. I have some Mercedes-Benz buyers guides that mention wiring harness problems due to heat, but never mention idiot government interference in design as the problem. Comments? -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From pifcat2 at yahoo.com Sun Mar 2 13:48:32 2008 From: pifcat2 at yahoo.com (Felix) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:48:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <618644.39872.qm@web83101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm having start problems with my car and I found the cam sensor wiring is exposed with a few wire strands broken in a couple of places. Can't tell if it's disintregrating or if it was severed somehow. I only see one wire to the molded plug. Is this repairable or part of the harness that's sold separately? What's the page # in the service CD? Thanks, Felix Declan Mc Dermott wrote: .hmmessage P { margin:0px; padding:0px } body.hmmessage { FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY:Tahoma } Hi Michael, The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness are well documented. What is not often realised is that the wiring which connects the throttle body to the main harness can also fail causing all sorts of running problems. Perhaps you might have this looked at. I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can be replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron - you do not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! Dec. --------------------------------- From: mw_burley at msn.com To: w124list at mbcoupes.com Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:14:24 -0800 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness Hello all, I recently had the wiring harness replaced on my 1994 C320 coupe. The technicians are having problems solving a mystery involving the "Check Engine" light. They couldn't nail down the problem. It seems the computer isn't as sophisticated as the newer cars only offering 16 fault codes. They told me during the mid 90's the German govt. mandated wiring harness' (among other things) must be biodegradable. The problem is they degrade while in the car, potentially causing all manner of problems. This little repair cost me $1600 U.S. Mind you, this service was performed at an independent garage. This didn't solve the "Check Engine" lite burning, but now the tech's think they'll more easily be able to localize the fault. I have some Mercedes-Benz buyers guides that mention wiring harness problems due to heat, but never mention idiot government interference in design as the problem. Comments? _______________________________________________ W124list mailing list W124list at mbcoupes.com http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jhodgman at gmail.com Sun Mar 2 13:58:35 2008 From: jhodgman at gmail.com (Jonathan) Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2008 13:58:35 -0500 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <47CAF8DB.5090205@gmail.com> Hello Michael, Did they clear all the codes after replacing the wiring harness?? You'll have to go through and clear each one separately if they do not have the DAS on hand. What codes are currently being thrown? Jonathan MICHAEL BURLEY wrote: > > Hello all, > > I recently had the wiring harness replaced on my 1994 C320 coupe. The > technicians are having problems solving a mystery involving the "Check > Engine" light. They couldn't nail down the problem. It seems the > computer isn't as sophisticated as the newer cars only offering 16 > fault codes. They told me during the mid 90's the German govt. > mandated wiring harness' (among other things) must be biodegradable. > The problem is they degrade while in the car, potentially causing all > manner of problems. This little repair cost me $1600 U.S. Mind you, > this service was performed at an independent garage. This didn't solve > the "Check Engine" lite burning, but now the tech's think they'll more > easily be able to localize the fault. I have some Mercedes-Benz buyers > guides that mention wiring harness problems due to heat, but never > mention idiot government interference in design as the problem. Comments? > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list > -- Blue Ridge Mercedes Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification. Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts of the world. Located in the Greater Atlanta area. http://www.blueridgemb.com *Updates weekly* 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst" 1991 560 SEC Euro ECE Conv. (for sale) 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs (TT conversion IP) 1989 560 SEC Euro ECE *Parts* 1988 300 TE 1989 560 SEC AMG (Mech.lifter/radical cam conv.) 1987 AMG Hammer 6.0L 32V 1986 560 SEL 6.0L 32V AMG 1980 280 SE Euro 2006 Z4 3.0Si M-Spec -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jhodgman at gmail.com Sun Mar 2 14:00:18 2008 From: jhodgman at gmail.com (Jonathan) Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:00:18 -0500 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: <618644.39872.qm@web83101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <618644.39872.qm@web83101.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <47CAF942.2020001@gmail.com> Felix, If you are seeing exposed wires it's Really best to replace the harness. If you try to repair one part undoubtedly another part will fail from having been touched. The job is do-able for a moderate DIY...it's more a case of taking one's time and replacing the wires/ends a section @ a time. Jonathan Felix wrote: > I'm having start problems with my car and I found the cam sensor > wiring is exposed with a few wire strands broken in a couple of > places. Can't tell if it's disintregrating or if it was severed > somehow. I only see one wire to the molded plug. Is this repairable > or part of the harness that's sold separately? What's the page # in > the service CD? > > Thanks, > Felix > > */Declan Mc Dermott /* wrote: > > Hi Michael, > > The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness are well > documented. > > What is not often realised is that the wiring which connects the > throttle body to the main harness can also fail causing all sorts > of running problems. Perhaps you might have this looked at. > > I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can be > replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron - you do > not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! > > Dec. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > From: mw_burley at msn.com > To: w124list at mbcoupes.com > Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 10:14:24 -0800 > Subject: [W124] Wiring harness > -- Blue Ridge Mercedes Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification. Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts of the world. Located in the Greater Atlanta area. http://www.blueridgemb.com *Updates weekly* 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst" 1991 560 SEC Euro ECE Conv. (for sale) 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs (TT conversion IP) 1989 560 SEC Euro ECE *Parts* 1988 300 TE 1989 560 SEC AMG (Mech.lifter/radical cam conv.) 1987 AMG Hammer 6.0L 32V 1986 560 SEL 6.0L 32V AMG 1980 280 SE Euro 2006 Z4 3.0Si M-Spec -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mw_burley at msn.com Sun Mar 2 14:29:29 2008 From: mw_burley at msn.com (MICHAEL BURLEY) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 11:29:29 -0800 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness References: Message-ID: Jonathan > wrote: > Hello Michael, > Did they clear all the codes after replacing the wiring harness?? > You'll have to go through and clear each one separately if they do not > have the DAS on hand. > What codes are currently being thrown? > Jonathan Yes, they cleared the codes after harness replacement. I don't know which codes were thrown this time around. What I didn't mention before was the car wouldn't start. The tech's determined over pressure in the fuel rail, cause undetermined. As the "Check Engine" lite is burning again, I'll have to get the car looked at again. After the harness was replaced, my sensitive throttle problem went away. During hot weather, the cruise control sometimes wouldn't engage. I'll be interested to see if this problem crops up again next Summer. The car runs fine now. Mike -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bob at theswingkings.com Sun Mar 2 17:42:12 2008 From: bob at theswingkings.com (Bob Peters) Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2008 22:42:12 -0000 Subject: [W124] 560sec Message-ID: <00cd01c87cb6$a80f82a0$53bb2d52@bob0490ecc49d2> Hi Bob peter hear I have a 1991 560sec coupe auto.I have a intermitent fault of not starting .I just replaced Exhaust took car for drive put some fuel in started ok. Drove little bit stopped agian came out of shop will not start turns over no bother no attempt to start. Any ideas. cheers bp From jhodgman at gmail.com Sun Mar 2 19:29:17 2008 From: jhodgman at gmail.com (Jonathan) Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2008 19:29:17 -0500 Subject: [W124] 560sec In-Reply-To: <00cd01c87cb6$a80f82a0$53bb2d52@bob0490ecc49d2> References: <00cd01c87cb6$a80f82a0$53bb2d52@bob0490ecc49d2> Message-ID: <47CB465D.1020004@gmail.com> Bob Peters wrote: > Hi Bob peter hear I have a 1991 560sec coupe auto.I have a intermitent > fault of not starting .I just replaced Exhaust took car for drive put > some fuel in started ok. Drove little bit stopped agian came out of > shop will not start turns over no bother no attempt to start. Any ideas. > > cheers bp > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list > If the engine is turning over but the car will not fire/start I'd wager it's your fuel pump relay. Very easy to test. Pull the relay and jumper pins 7 & 8 if the car re-starts with the jumper in place you know your relay is defective. Jonathan -- Blue Ridge Mercedes Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification. Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts of the world. Located in the Greater Atlanta area. http://www.blueridgemb.com *Updates weekly* 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst" 1991 560 SEC Euro ECE Conv. (for sale) 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs (TT conversion IP) 1989 560 SEC Euro ECE *Parts* 1988 300 TE 1989 560 SEC AMG (Mech.lifter/radical cam conv.) 1987 AMG Hammer 6.0L 32V 1986 560 SEL 6.0L 32V AMG 1980 280 SE Euro 2006 Z4 3.0Si M-Spec From jim.stadter at ngc.com Mon Mar 3 11:59:01 2008 From: jim.stadter at ngc.com (Stadter, Jim) Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 10:59:01 -0600 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <33039DBDED22BE47B9F45999ED0D7A044D4451@XMBTX143.northgrum.com> Declan wrote: > The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness > are well documented. > > What is not often realised is that the wiring which > connects the throttle body to the main harness can also fail > causing all sorts of running problems. Perhaps you might have > this looked at. > > I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can > be replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron > - you do not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! > My experience with this issue has been on my E500, so I'll plead ignorance as to whether the 6 cylinder CE has a similar arrangement. On the E500, the throttle body (a.k.a. Electronic Throttle Actuator (ETA)) has internal wiring that also degrades due to the typical biodegradable issues with this era of MB. There's a good website run by Jim Forgione that talks about a lot of the issues with the early '90s cars, and I remember seeing a picture on the site that shows the internals of an ETA and what the wiring looks like on a bad one. Based on that, I wonder whether replacing just the leads to the throttle body would be sufficient. A new ETA ran me $1200 from Caliber Motors a couple of years ago. When I replaced the upper and lower harness on my car, I wrapped both in Firebraid with the hope of providing additional heat insulation to slow down the degradation. http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3969&highlight=firebra id Jim -- Jim Stadter '89 190DE 2.6 241Kmi '94 E500 Austin, TX From J.Hirsch at mac.com Mon Mar 3 12:06:28 2008 From: J.Hirsch at mac.com (Jay Hirsch) Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:06:28 -0500 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: <33039DBDED22BE47B9F45999ED0D7A044D4451@XMBTX143.northgrum.com> References: <33039DBDED22BE47B9F45999ED0D7A044D4451@XMBTX143.northgrum.com> Message-ID: If you were to read all this about wiring etc., does not say much for Mercedes engineering keep cruisin Jay H On Mar 3, 2008, at 11:59 AM, Stadter, Jim wrote: > Declan wrote: > >> The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness >> are well documented. >> >> What is not often realised is that the wiring which >> connects the throttle body to the main harness can also fail >> causing all sorts of running problems. Perhaps you might have >> this looked at. >> >> I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can >> be replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron >> - you do not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! >> > > My experience with this issue has been on my E500, so I'll plead > ignorance > as to whether the 6 cylinder CE has a similar arrangement. On the > E500, > the > throttle body (a.k.a. Electronic Throttle Actuator (ETA)) has internal > wiring that > also degrades due to the typical biodegradable issues with this era of > MB. > There's a good website run by Jim Forgione that talks about a lot of > the > issues > with the early '90s cars, and I remember seeing a picture on the > site that shows the internals of an ETA and what the wiring looks like > on a bad one. > Based on that, I wonder whether replacing just the leads to the > throttle > body would > be sufficient. A new ETA ran me $1200 from Caliber Motors a couple of > years ago. > > When I replaced the upper and lower harness on my car, I wrapped both > in > Firebraid > with the hope of providing additional heat insulation to slow down the > degradation. > http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php? > t=3969&highlight=firebra > id > > Jim > -- > Jim Stadter > '89 190DE 2.6 241Kmi > '94 E500 > Austin, TX > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list From ja.law at bigpond.net.au Mon Mar 3 20:14:28 2008 From: ja.law at bigpond.net.au (James Antonenas) Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 12:14:28 +1100 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: Message-ID: Look - just face the fact it's a shitbox. -----Original Message----- From: w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Stadter, Jim Sent: Tuesday, 4 March 2008 3:59 AM To: w124list at mbcoupes.com Subject: Re: [W124] Wiring harness Declan wrote: > The problems with the early failure of the wiring harness > are well documented. > > What is not often realised is that the wiring which > connects the throttle body to the main harness can also fail > causing all sorts of running problems. Perhaps you might have > this looked at. > > I do beleive, however, that this short section of wiring can > be replaced by someone with some skill with a soldering iron > - you do not want to have to replace the complete throttle body ! > My experience with this issue has been on my E500, so I'll plead ignorance as to whether the 6 cylinder CE has a similar arrangement. On the E500, the throttle body (a.k.a. Electronic Throttle Actuator (ETA)) has internal wiring that also degrades due to the typical biodegradable issues with this era of MB. There's a good website run by Jim Forgione that talks about a lot of the issues with the early '90s cars, and I remember seeing a picture on the site that shows the internals of an ETA and what the wiring looks like on a bad one. Based on that, I wonder whether replacing just the leads to the throttle body would be sufficient. A new ETA ran me $1200 from Caliber Motors a couple of years ago. When I replaced the upper and lower harness on my car, I wrapped both in Firebraid with the hope of providing additional heat insulation to slow down the degradation. http://www.500ecstasy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3969&highlight=firebra id Jim -- Jim Stadter '89 190DE 2.6 241Kmi '94 E500 Austin, TX _______________________________________________ W124list mailing list W124list at mbcoupes.com http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.503 / Virus Database: 269.15.32/1131 - Release Date: 14/11/2007 4:54 PM From dakota at mac.com Mon Mar 3 22:47:09 2008 From: dakota at mac.com (Steve Nervig) Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 19:47:09 -0800 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <1188A3D0-EE51-4DE0-B1C9-3D2EA580813F@mac.com> Someone babbled: > Look - just face the fact it's a shitbox. > It's probably just a reflection of its driver. Mine, of course, is perfect. Steve From J.Hirsch at mac.com Mon Mar 3 23:18:00 2008 From: J.Hirsch at mac.com (Jay Hirsch) Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:18:00 -0500 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: <1188A3D0-EE51-4DE0-B1C9-3D2EA580813F@mac.com> References: <1188A3D0-EE51-4DE0-B1C9-3D2EA580813F@mac.com> Message-ID: <38b7c7119cd33d91954e9558fcaaf28f@mac.com> manure box is not that incorrect Jay H On Mar 3, 2008, at 10:47 PM, Steve Nervig wrote: > > Someone babbled: > >> Look - just face the fact it's a shitbox. >> > > It's probably just a reflection of its driver. Mine, of course, is > perfect. > > Steve > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list From bullwinklefan at yahoo.com Tue Mar 4 01:20:37 2008 From: bullwinklefan at yahoo.com (bullwinklefan at yahoo.com) Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 06:20:37 +0000 Subject: [W124] Wiring harness In-Reply-To: <38b7c7119cd33d91954e9558fcaaf28f@mac.com> References: <1188A3D0-EE51-4DE0-B1C9-3D2EA580813F@mac.com><38b7c7119cd33d91954e9558fcaaf28f@mac.com> Message-ID: <1950944499-1204611817-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-1379722639-@bxe019.bisx.prod.on.blackberry> My 500E is a reflection of it's owner. Both have shit eating grins ! 500E = Permagrin Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message----- From: Jay Hirsch Date: Mon, 03 Mar 2008 23:18:00 To:W124 CE Coupes and Convertibles Subject: Re: [W124] Wiring harness manure box is not that incorrect Jay H On Mar 3, 2008, at 10:47 PM, Steve Nervig wrote: > > Someone babbled: > >> Look - just face the fact it's a shitbox. >> > > It's probably just a reflection of its driver. Mine, of course, is > perfect. > > Steve > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list _______________________________________________ W124list mailing list W124list at mbcoupes.com http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list From bfargin at yahoo.com Tue Mar 4 18:39:34 2008 From: bfargin at yahoo.com (brian jones) Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 15:39:34 -0800 (PST) Subject: [W124] Re; "_ _ _ _ box" car In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <758594.13844.qm@web90401.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'll take my "____box" over any other car out there from 1995 or for that matter even today. Every time I drive my coupe or cabriolet I marvel at what a great machine it is. There are things about it that frustrate me (the crappy wiring harness that cost way to much to replace being one of them) but overall it has been a great and reliable car. My coupe (1993) still has the original wire harness and all I have ever done is routine maintenance (except 1 MAS replacement) from when I bought it new. It now has 103K miles and is still running great (knock wood). The cabriolet (1995) had to have a new harness installed. Cheers, Brian in TN ************************************************************************************ MY BLOG: http://bfargins.blogspot.com/ Breathes there the man with soul so dead; Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd As home his footsteps he hath turn'd; From wandering on a foreign strand? --Walter Scott-- If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms.Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. --Samuel Adams-- *************************************************************************************** ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping From mfdesmond at comcast.net Tue Mar 4 21:52:18 2008 From: mfdesmond at comcast.net (mfdesmond at comcast.net) Date: Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:52:18 +0000 Subject: [W124] When to replace wire harness? Message-ID: <030520080252.9334.47CE0AE1000CC9040000247622155751140B0201039C0A0B0003@comcast.net> Brian: I purchase a 1994 E320 Cabriolet about a year ago w/ 27K miles on it and it has been a pretty solid car. I've put 15K work miles on it the past 12 months, it is solid and cruises on the interstate great. It was buy this car or a 2-3 year old Toyota or Nissan for about the same money. How did you know when the harness needed to be replaced - did the electrical components start to fail? Visual inspection? My heater fan motor doesn't cut on/off as it should. The SRS dash light briefly flickered on today while the car was running. Second question - who replaced the electrical harness? I live outside of Nashville and their are a couple tier 2 Mercedes mechanic shops around and don't know if they could get the aftermarket harness and do the work. Mike Franklin, TN -------------- Original message -------------- From: brian jones > I'll take my "____box" over any other car out there from > 1995 or for that matter even today. Every time I drive my > coupe or cabriolet I marvel at what a great machine it is. > There are things about it that frustrate me (the crappy > wiring harness that cost way to much to replace being one > of them) but overall it has been a great and reliable car. > My coupe (1993) still has the original wire harness and all > I have ever done is routine maintenance (except 1 MAS > replacement) from when I bought it new. It now has 103K > miles and is still running great (knock wood). The > cabriolet (1995) had to have a new harness installed. > Cheers, > Brian in TN > > ******************************************************************************** > **** > MY BLOG: http://bfargins.blogspot.com/ > > Breathes there the man with soul so dead; Who never to himself hath said, > This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd > As home his footsteps he hath turn'd; From wandering on a foreign strand? > --Walter Scott-- > > If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater > than > the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. > We seek not your counsel, nor your arms.Crouch down and lick the hand that > feeds you; > May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were > our countrymen. > --Samuel Adams-- > > ******************************************************************************** > ******* > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________ > ____ > Looking for last minute shopping deals? > Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. > http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bfargin at yahoo.com Wed Mar 5 22:02:39 2008 From: bfargin at yahoo.com (brian jones) Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2008 19:02:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: [W124] Wire harness In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <478212.3821.qm@web90407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Mike, I was in Pittsburgh (in school) when I had it replaced (2002). It was like 900 bucks at the time (if I remember correctly). That 1600 dollar price recently mentioned made me jump. I was having intermittent electrical gremlins on the cabriolet. Cruise wouldn't work and then it would, etc. I was hoping it was the fuse problem that some people have had but I changed them all and it didn't help. So took it in and he showed me how the harness was starting to fail, insulation would just flake off in places. Anyway I had it changed and all was good after that. I've heard good things about the gentleman in Franklin that has the Indie shop but I don't have personal experience with him (forgot his name as well). I bought the coupe new at Middle TN Motor Cars but they have since moved and changed names. It seems now the dealer is so used to the new plug and play cars that they don't really know how to diagnose and fix cars like ours. With the newer cars they just read codes and swap out expensive components. The dealer in PA tried to play that game of just trying different parts when my MAS went out on the coupe. Thankfully I found out about the indie up there who identified the issue in less than an hour and changed out my MAS which fixed my engine surging problem. Check fuses first (like many on this board have mentioned in the past). Even if they look good you might replace them all (cheap and will then eliminate that possibility). If it is the harness get quotes from a couple of places. Cheers, Brian in TN ************************************************************************************ MY BLOG: http://bfargins.blogspot.com/ Breathes there the man with soul so dead; Who never to himself hath said, This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd As home his footsteps he hath turn'd; From wandering on a foreign strand? --Walter Scott-- If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms.Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. --Samuel Adams-- *************************************************************************************** ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs From mfdesmond at comcast.net Wed Mar 5 23:08:50 2008 From: mfdesmond at comcast.net (mfdesmond at comcast.net) Date: Thu, 06 Mar 2008 04:08:50 +0000 Subject: [W124] Wire harness Message-ID: <030620080408.4972.47CF6E52000DE35A0000136C22155670740B0201039C0A0B0003@comcast.net> B: When I first purchased my E320 convertible it had many electrical gremlins - dash dials wouldn't always register, windows were slow to respond, ect... I noticed that somebody had installed aluminum fuses in the copper fuse box. Copper doesn't play well with other metals. I bought a whole set of copper fuses for Mercedes, pulled the old fuses out, cleaned the contacts w/ a Q-tip and electrical contact cleaner, installed copper fuses and all has been great since. -------------- Original message -------------- From: brian jones > Mike, > I was in Pittsburgh (in school) when I had it replaced > (2002). It was like 900 bucks at the time (if I remember > correctly). That 1600 dollar price recently mentioned made > me jump. > > I was having intermittent electrical gremlins on the > cabriolet. Cruise wouldn't work and then it would, etc. I > was hoping it was the fuse problem that some people have > had but I changed them all and it didn't help. So took it > in and he showed me how the harness was starting to fail, > insulation would just flake off in places. Anyway I had it > changed and all was good after that. > > I've heard good things about the gentleman in Franklin that > has the Indie shop but I don't have personal experience > with him (forgot his name as well). I bought the coupe new > at Middle TN Motor Cars but they have since moved and > changed names. It seems now the dealer is so used to the > new plug and play cars that they don't really know how to > diagnose and fix cars like ours. With the newer cars they > just read codes and swap out expensive components. The > dealer in PA tried to play that game of just trying > different parts when my MAS went out on the coupe. > Thankfully I found out about the indie up there who > identified the issue in less than an hour and changed out > my MAS which fixed my engine surging problem. > > Check fuses first (like many on this board have mentioned > in the past). Even if they look good you might replace them > all (cheap and will then eliminate that possibility). If it > is the harness get quotes from a couple of places. > Cheers, > Brian in TN > > ******************************************************************************** > **** > MY BLOG: http://bfargins.blogspot.com/ > > Breathes there the man with soul so dead; Who never to himself hath said, > This is my own, my native land! Whose heart hath ne'er within him burn'd > As home his footsteps he hath turn'd; From wandering on a foreign strand? > --Walter Scott-- > > If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater > than > the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. > We seek not your counsel, nor your arms.Crouch down and lick the hand that > feeds you; > May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were > our countrymen. > --Samuel Adams-- > > ******************************************************************************** > ******* > > > > > ________________________________________________________________________________ > ____ > Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your home page. > http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From theodoros74cy at yahoo.com Thu Mar 6 13:09:40 2008 From: theodoros74cy at yahoo.com (Mouzouros Theodoros) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 10:09:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: [W124] RPM rises and stays to 13 after the engine temperature pases 60-65 degrees celsius Message-ID: <595386.4455.qm@web38702.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Dear friends, i own a '96 ce200 manual gearbox. After a series of reparations to the engine and anexes, oxygen sensor, lamda catalist,bord computer reglation ,bobine change, electic installation of injectors changed,spark replasement etc etc i managed to keep the engine running and not to stop suddently,not to overheat and not to change rpm without any reason a lot of times in one minute. The only problem i have now is that when the engine is cold i start the engine very easily and the rpm is at 8. After some time, 10-15min depending on traffic when the engine is getting warmer than 60-65 d. celsious the rpm rises to 13 suddenly and remains there all the time without any change in its value. Does anyone have any idea why is this so?Fuel consumption is big and the engine reaches to 90 d.celsious Thanks Theodoros Mouzouros Cyprus- Romania --------------------------------- Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From acordova at texas.net Thu Mar 6 20:24:16 2008 From: acordova at texas.net (Alec Cordova) Date: Thu, 6 Mar 2008 19:24:16 -0600 Subject: [W124] RPM rises and stays to 13 after the engine temperature pases60-65 degrees celsius In-Reply-To: <595386.4455.qm@web38702.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: This goes right along with our recent discussion. Find a mechanic who is familiar with this range of car and engine, and have them examine the engine wiring harness for deterioration and breaks. This may not be your issue, but with those symptoms this should be checked. Alec Cordova Taylor, Texas 89 300CE, 233K -----Original Message----- From: w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:w124list-bounces at mbcoupes.com]On Behalf Of Mouzouros Theodoros Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 12:10 PM To: w124list at mbcoupes.com Subject: [W124] RPM rises and stays to 13 after the engine temperature pases60-65 degrees celsius Dear friends, i own a '96 ce200 manual gearbox. After a series of reparations to the engine and anexes, oxygen sensor, lamda catalist,bord computer reglation ,bobine change, electic installation of injectors changed,spark replasement etc etc i managed to keep the engine running and not to stop suddently,not to overheat and not to change rpm without any reason a lot of times in one minute. The only problem i have now is that when the engine is cold i start the engine very easily and the rpm is at 8. After some time, 10-15min depending on traffic when the engine is getting warmer than 60-65 d. celsious the rpm rises to 13 suddenly and remains there all the time without any change in its value. Does anyone have any idea why is this so?Fuel consumption is big and the engine reaches to 90 d.celsious Thanks Theodoros Mouzouros Cyprus- Romania Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage. From rikard.petersson at maxm.se Thu Mar 6 20:24:56 2008 From: rikard.petersson at maxm.se (Rikard Petersson) Date: Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:24:56 +0100 Subject: [W124] =?utf-8?q?RPM_rises_and_stays_to_13_after_the_engine_tempe?= =?utf-8?q?rature_=09pases60-65__d?= Message-ID: Hej. Jag ?r p? tj?nsteresa och ?r ?ter p? kontoret den 11:e februari. Vid br?dskande ?renden kontakta en kollega i mitt team. v?xeln +46 (0) 8 613 02 00 I am on a business trip and will be back the 11:th th of march. In urgent matters please contact a collegue in my team. Switchboard +46 (0) 8 613 02 00 Med V?nlig H?lsning/Regards Rikard Petersson Finansiell R?dgivare Max Matthiessen Liv & Finansm?klare AB Box 5634, Birger Jarlsgatan 31, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden Phone +46-(0)8 613 02 20 Fax +46-(0)8 22 73 02 rikard.petersson at maxm.se www.maxm.se Maxfonder.se - ett b?ttre fondsparande! L?s mer p? www.maxfonder.se -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From wizol at wp.pl Sat Mar 15 08:30:46 2008 From: wizol at wp.pl (FILIP WIESE) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:30:46 +0100 Subject: [W124] (no subject) Message-ID: <47dbc17685aa9@wp.pl> filip wiese ul.Oskierki 4 60-187 Poznan poland ---------------------------------------------------- Kilka historii o mi?o?ci i k?amstwie. Najnowszy film Jerzego Stuhra "Korow?d" ju? na DVD! http://klik.wp.pl/?adr=http%3A%2F%2Fcorto.www.wp.pl%2Fas%2Fkorowod.html&sid=264 From rikard.petersson at maxm.se Sat Mar 15 08:31:38 2008 From: rikard.petersson at maxm.se (Rikard Petersson) Date: Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:31:38 +0100 Subject: [W124] (no subject) Message-ID: Hej. Jag ?r p? semester och ?r ?ter p? kontoret den 17:e mars. Vid br?dskande ?renden kontakta en kollega i mitt team. v?xeln +46 (0) 8 613 02 00 I am on vacation and will be back the 17:th th of march. In urgent matters please contact a collegue in my team. Switchboard +46 (0) 8 613 02 00 Med V?nlig H?lsning/Regards Rikard Petersson Finansiell R?dgivare Max Matthiessen Liv & Finansm?klare AB Box 5634, Birger Jarlsgatan 31, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden Phone +46-(0)8 613 02 20 Fax +46-(0)8 22 73 02 rikard.petersson at maxm.se www.maxm.se Maxfonder.se - ett b?ttre fondsparande! L?s mer p? www.maxfonder.se -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bob at theswingkings.com Sat Mar 22 06:53:37 2008 From: bob at theswingkings.com (Bob Peters) Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 10:53:37 -0000 Subject: [W124] 560sec References: <00cd01c87cb6$a80f82a0$53bb2d52@bob0490ecc49d2> <47CB465D.1020004@gmail.com> Message-ID: <00db01c88c0a$fbb5dae0$53bb2d52@bob0490ecc49d2> to Jonathan Hi Bob here from Scotland the info you gave was right I jumped 7& 8 started right away .have fitted new relay starts a treat now. cheers bp ----- Original Message ----- From: "Jonathan" To: "W124 CE Coupes and Convertibles" Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 12:29 AM Subject: Re: [W124] 560sec > Bob Peters wrote: >> Hi Bob peter hear I have a 1991 560sec coupe auto.I have a intermitent >> fault of not starting .I just replaced Exhaust took car for drive put >> some fuel in started ok. Drove little bit stopped agian came out of shop >> will not start turns over no bother no attempt to start. Any ideas. >> >> cheers bp >> >> _______________________________________________ >> W124list mailing list >> W124list at mbcoupes.com >> http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list >> > If the engine is turning over but the car will not fire/start I'd wager > it's your fuel pump relay. Very easy to test. Pull the relay and jumper > pins 7 & 8 if the car re-starts with the jumper in place you know your > relay is defective. > > Jonathan > > > -- > Blue Ridge Mercedes > Offering Enthusiast Service, Restoration and Modification. > Providing quality parts to discriminating customers in all parts of the > world. > Located in the Greater Atlanta area. > http://www.blueridgemb.com > *Updates weekly* > > 1996 S600 Euro "Scharnhorst" > 1991 560 SEC Euro ECE Conv. (for sale) > 1991 560 SEC 226Hp/271ft/lbs (TT conversion IP) > 1989 560 SEC Euro ECE *Parts* > 1988 300 TE > 1989 560 SEC AMG (Mech.lifter/radical cam conv.) > 1987 AMG Hammer 6.0L 32V > 1986 560 SEL 6.0L 32V AMG > 1980 280 SE Euro > 2006 Z4 3.0Si M-Spec > > _______________________________________________ > W124list mailing list > W124list at mbcoupes.com > http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/w124list