Kuan, good point. Thanks for the TSB on the airbag.
I always figured it was the engine heat that
accelerated the deterioration of the 'black
'fabric' tape that is wrapped around the
wire groups. I deduced that once that
outer tape was dry, brittle and broken open, the
next phase was the individual wire would
be exposed and the wire's cover (plastic
sheath) would deteriorate leaving bare metal exposed.
I assumed it was the bared wire (metal)
that caused the engine etc. problems.

You seem to suggest that basically, the individual
wires, tape wrapped or not, have the problem
of their sheaths falling apart. Or are you
saying that the wires are not insulated
against each other's electrical current?

Having read archives on the subject, it seemed
that sheath deterioration and bare metal wire were the culprits. Although the source and cause of deterioration
was never mentioned other than 'age and miles'.
I'm interested in finding out.
Thank you all if you have any comments.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD