Hi guys, this may help you .when I changed the temp sensor on my 88 300e I did not cut the wire! I left its full length and coiled it in the engine compartment and secured it with wire ties. from my experience working on aircraft when you change the length of a wire you change the resistance and you change temp with the resistance. just like jet engine exaust gas temp sensors.alot of aircraft antennas are like this also.if you shorten a radio altimiter cable length the air craft will think its not as close to the ground as it is.this is not as critical on a benz temp sensor but mine is right on the money!

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88 W124 3.0
96 R129 119eng
06 ML350
98 ML320 sold
02 CLK55 amg