D'oh - so it's a binary failure, it either works, or it doesn't. Guess mine is ok then.

Pricing - have you tried Silver Star yet? There are two equivalent part numbers, one is MUCH cheaper than the other. I hope the second one is still available. Dealer pricing as of two months ago was:

• Part number --------- Desc. -------- Retail ---- Whlsle --- Dealer Cost
  ====================================================
  015-545-61-32 ---- IGNITION CON -- 2970.00 -- 2380.00 -- 1780.00
  015-545-62-32 ---- IGNITION CON -- 1650.00 -- 1320.00 -- 990.00

I almost guarantee you can get one for $200-$400 if you try hard enough. The same part is also used on the SL500 (129.067) and the S500 (140.051 and 140.070). There are a TON of 140's in salvage yards and some of these yards don't always know (or care) what the EZL costs new. It can take a lot of phone calls but it's worth it. I picked up an LH module for under $200 shipped, when most yards want $300-$400, and some want $600-$900 - cost new is ~$2000. For that kind of savings, I can make some calls! Use www.car-part.com, search for various generic parts on a 500SEC or SEL, see which yards seem to have a lot of W140's, and call them up. There's a yard in Stockton, CA that has a bunch of them but I don't know what their pricing is...

Good luck!