Thanks for the input. Time to use brute force on the boot.

Yea my 92 400E has ASR but no check engine light (I believe that was CA only). I replaced the engine wiring harness soon after I got the car (about 1 year ago) the original one was crumbling so I know the harness is not a source of codes. I'm hopeful cleaning the throttle body will allow everything to work. From the archives it sounds like the throtle actuator problems usually are associated with heat. My ASR limp home mode occurances have occured on cold engines with 0 throttle.

In the meantime I'll drive the 84 300SD 320+K mi and still ticking

I got a really good deal on the 400E so I'm not to upset about the repairs. So far;
Wiring harness
Viscous fan clutch (self destructed and took out the radiator)
Radiator (gawd this was a bear, no room between rad and fan clutch, had to undo lots of the fron end to get clearance to put the radiator in)
Blower motor resistor

Also looks like you went really big on your tires. I'm planning on getting some 16" rims and tires (hopefully spring summer time)

Paul