when did MB go computer controlled?
 

I hear all kinds of horror stories about $1000 wiring harness in later models, and computer problems in them also. When did all these problems begin to arise? I am looking to get a second MB, but I dont want anything with those problems.

The first MB diesel in the USA with computer controlled "anything" was the 1984 300DT california version.

The first completely computer controlled MB diesel in the USA was 2005 CDI.

The wiring problems were on 1992-96 cars.

Like most things in life you've got to pick your poison.

I like the computers in my 99. Provides me all kinds of data when truobleshooting.

The 1996 thru 1999 were somewhat computer controlled as they had to meet ODB2 specs.

But they still used a mechanical injection pump. The computer was for emissions like EGR & for boost.

The 1998-99's were the BEST of the later non-CDI diesels!

The OM606 diesel used in the 96-99 MBs is 100% computer controlled. There is still a mechanical injection pump, but the fuel rack for that pump is controlled by an electronic actuator. There is no mechanical governor.

All of the OM60x diesels have idle speed regulation of some kind.

The 90-93 300D 2.5T has an electronically controlled wastegate (vacuum actuator, where the vacuum is electronically regulated).

There's more... but thats all I know off the top of my head.

well i love the information you can get from the computers, just trying to avoid computer breakdowns I hear are fairly common, and expensive in the mid to late 90's. I love the cars, just lookin for the best ones.

I don't believe this is the case with the '96 and older diesels. I know mine has a vacuum-controlled transmission and the accelerator pedal is mechanical, i.e. there's no pedal position sensor, just a good old cable.

I love the OBDII cars, plug in and they tell you whats broke. It takes all the fun out of trouble shooting!:D

My buddies 98 E300D is cake to fix. CE light comes on, scan codes, replace FUBAR part, reset, keep going. On my SDL you actualy need so skill to figure out what is broke.:D

I'd actualy prefer a more modern car that you can plug a laptop into, and really see whats going on. Can you do that with the W211's?

Hmm, hook up the laptop, pop in the FSM CD and it'll even show you how to fix it.:D
Now that'd be an idea.
Personally, I'd just prefer a car that doesn't need a computer to fix it.

Its fine for cars to have a CAN system where independent systems can diagnose faults based on a string of inter-networks. But once that stuff gets old, they're a throwaway unit. And some of the black-boxes that fail have to be programmed SPECIFICALLY for the car! No more swap and drop, guys!

You make it sound so easy. I wish it were like that! Most of the issues that I've had showed no codes at all.

You dont HAVE to use the info the computers provide. It's acceptable to ignore its clues and stand around scratching your head wondering what in the heck the problem is like the old days......:rolleyes::D

Get a Mercedes diesel old enough to avoid computers and you'll be paying for transmissions, HVAC systems, etc., instead. And, you ought to replace all the suspension rubber, too.

you have to give up some things for the other...


OBDII or good trouble shooting


give me OBDII any day

Look again. Your '96 has a TPS sitting at the left rear of the hood. The cable that goes through into the engine compartment is for the transmission.

Your injection pump has no mechanical linkage of any kind.

At least those things are less expensive to replace than some of the electronics. Imagine a bad wiring harness or a computer that goes bad. How do you TS when those things go bad?

Really my friends E300D has all been scan and replace, that car is so easy to fix.

What do you think these cars will be like 20 years from now?

They will need massive infusions of cash to keep going, like any other old MB you want to keep nice.

Or they'll already have been recycled.;)

Either way don't plan on owning one, so don't care.;):D

An acceptable trade-off, IMHO. ;)

What's a TPS? You might be right about there being no mechanical linkage on the IP, but there are two cables in that area you're talking about and one of them is definitely connected to the accelerator pedal. The other one has an orange boot and that one is the transmission cable.

Hattie, the 211 can tell you exactly whats broken too.

TPS is throttle position sensor, although this is certainly not what M-B calls it. The cable to the pedal connects to this sensor. The cable to the transmission is present for the old four-speed transmission fitted in '96. It's missing on 210's fitted with the 722.6 five-speed.

I know that I'm right about no mechanical connection to the IP, since I have the same car. The rack position and shutoff diverter valve are controlled by the IFI injection computer, located in the module box at the right rear under the hood.

Sounds right to me. It's difficult to see the IP without taking off the intake manifold and the last time I had it off I didn't really analyze the IP that closely. But I have already replaced my K40 relay and the shutoff valve so I know what you're talking about. I haven't really thought much about the throttle cable and for some reason I thought there was still some mechanical connection between the throttle pedal and the IP like on the older models. Thanks for helping me learn something new today.:)

Accelerator position sensor. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js4AsFm9plk

Thanks, Forced. I knew that it wasn't the correct name, and it even sounds wrong since there is no throttle. There's a valve in the intake on the 606, but it's not for throttling the engine.

My father always called the pedal the "foot feed" on his diesels.

It can still be called a throttle since it throttles the amount of fuel injected.

Does my '96 E300D have a TPS problem?
 

Occasionally when driving the new-to-me 1996 E300D slowly (like in a parking lot) I'll give it a little throttle and nothing will happen. The engine continues to idle but won't respond until I give it more footfeed, at which time it lurches forward. Is this the beginning of a failure in the throttle position sensor, which I am reading about for the first time tonight?

Jeremy