Hi folks, this may be a dumb question but I figured I’d ask before I just started disconnecting things.

After some behind battery tray rust repair, I need to replace the main electrical grommet back there (P/N 123 997 32 81).

It looks like the right lights, as well as some AC, and some ground wires go through here.
I assume I should disconnect everything from the engine side in order to get the new grommet in? Any tips for this?

Thanks!

Yes the right way is to thread all the wires through.

I would look behind the dash first and see if there is a connector that can be separated.

Remember they had to build it somehow.

If you do end up having to slide the grommet over the harness remember these tips:
- dish soap is a good lubricant, it will wash off easily
- the connectors on a 123 can be disassembled and the pins removed from the shell. This will make it easier to get the harness through the grommet hole. Be sure to get a picture first, so you can get it back together.

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both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

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Yes. You will have to remove the pin holders on a few. Mine was quite a bear because i had 1/0 gauge wire coming through as well (battery in trunk)

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Hi all, I got the cable unhooked and through the firewall tonight, it wasn't too bad.

However, I had to cut some push-in cable ties that held it down. Do any of you have the P/N for the proper ties? Also, how do you get the old ones out of the metal? They are in there REALLY tight, despite all my attempts to pry them out.

Thanks!