That shouldn't be a problem. Just peel back the wire bundle armoring and inspect the wire insulation. If it looks 200 years old the engine wiring harness needs to be replaced.

Keep in mind that this problem is generally confined to model years 93-95. I suggest you list your car in your signature for the benefit of others helping you.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

Does anyone know who made these defective wire harnesses? Was it MB themselves or was it outsourced to another company who used inferior wire? I just replaced mine on my '95 C280. The old wire harness was in unbelievably bad shape. Visible copper and insulation that would just snap in your hands like a toothpick.

I understand this wiring was outsourced to another company, who also made the same problem wiring for other european makes at the time.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

MB should make good on all the wire harnesses and then sue or get reimbursed for the faulty wire harnesses (which most likely or clearly should have not passed minimal specifications). I would assume that every part that goes into an automobile has specific performance criteria that it must pass. Did they just pass on a bogus 'approved' spec sheet to MB? Sounds like a viable law suit to me.

I have seen the Delphi label on a new OEM replacment harness being sold by a German eBayer. My Bablefish translation said something to the effect, "new harness. not from old stock, will not have the problems of the old harnesses."

I have no idea who the original OEM harness maker was, or why MB chooses not to go after them.

Artikelbeschreibung, Gegenstand dieser Auktion:

Original Mercedes-Benz Motorleitungssatz für den 500E Motor, Typ M119.974 LH

passend für alle W124 500E bis Fahrgestellnummer WDB1240361B840526 (siehe Fahrzeugschein)

Zustand:

NEU !!! OVP und aus aktueller Produktion !!

(die Problematik ist allgemein bekannt, dass sich der alte Motorleitungssatz zerbröselt/hart wird und somit die Gefahr besteht Steuergeräte zu beschädigen)

Dieser angebotene Motorleitungssatz ist erst kürzlich produziert worden (siehe auch Produktionsdatum), also noch absolut weich von der Isolierung. Dies ist kein alter Lagerbestand !





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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

I don't know who it is we are referring to as "knowingly purchasing a car with a bad harness and expecting someone else to pay for it", but I had never heard of the problem when I purchased mine 4 years ago and I dont ever think I would buy another that had NOT been replaced and the owner would have to show me proof! The fact that current owners of these cars do not pursue MB for replacement is rediculous. It also does not make sense that anyone would say that if you did not purchase the car originally, it should not be covered. Would it make sense for Ford not to cover dangerous vehicles just because you were not the original owner?? Second and third owners spend the same if not more on maintenance that original owners (I've said it before and I'll say it again; my immediate family ownes 13 mercedes benz, all except 1 bought second hand and all cars have nothing but Mercedes parts from local Mercedes Benz dealers in them. If mercedes were a little more reasonable (especially with issues like these) maybe these owners would spend more money at their local dealers instead of going to private mechanics or trying to fix them thenselves.

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1994 C280
2009 VW Tiguan
1993 Toyota X-tra Cab SE-5


1973 220D ... Gone, but not forgotten
1991 Alfa Romeo 164L Gone, wife MADE me forget it

2006 Hyundai Tucson... just straight out FORGOTTEN!

msethk--I'm the one who knowingly purchased the vehicle...though I've explained my position on pestering MB regarding the harness. The car was cheap enough when I bought it that I didn't mind shelling out for the harness at some point. However, after the car literally dropped dead on the road I figured I would be a pain in MB's butt. I wasn't looking for a coverage of costs, but would've accepted a labor reimbursement (read my posts earlier in the thread for my reasoning). I merely wanted MB to admit there was a problem b/c I'd like others who paid top dollar for their car who unknowingly ended up with the harness issue to get what they deserve, some help from the manufacturer. They continue to deny the problem even after the 10th time I've spoken to them, and despite Consumer Reports listing it as a common issue.

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2004 Chrysler Crossfire

msethk

ever hear of a concept called "due diligence?" its mostly a business and law terminolgy but ti applies to life in general.

i'll quote the second definition from dictionary.com
theres this wonderful thing called the internet these days. people can go on it and look up all sorts of things before they buy something.

before i bought my 124 i made sure to find out all i could about them. so i knew going in that i would probably have to do a cylinder head rebuild if i bought one and it hadnt been done. should i sue mercedes coz my car blew the gasket and would have overheated if i hadnt been aware of he situation and prepared (carried a 2 gallon bottle of water in the trunk until ihad the head done.)

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'O=00=O'
bmw 2002.
long live the legend