Why do Mercedes parts mostly have initials and not names?

[PANZER]

I have been reading past posts about idling, stalling, fuel this, accumulator that, electronic ghosts, and it seems that these cars have parts that other cars do not have nor need...why all the bells and whistles and extra modules and doo dads and they mostly go by initials, Is this what happens when you have engineers on crack? HA HA HA! I have been around the usual american muscle cars of the 70's and these parts are not the usual fare! Why so complecated? Also, does the 82 380SL have one of those computers? IF so does it have a diagnostic plug like my 93 Cavalier? You know the one,,, just plug it in, look up the codes and swipe your credit card!

[rowdie]

All vehicles get abbreviations for parts:
MAPS, Manifold air pressure sensor.
TBI, Throttle body injection
ECU or ECM. Electronic control Unit/Module.
It is convenient to use the Acronym instead of typing the entire name.
You get used to it over time. I had to ask what SWMBO meant when I first got on the forums.

If you find one you don't understand just ask.

It has often been said "The dumbest question is the one you didn't ask"

Can't answer about the 380. The injection system is mechanical but there are a few electrical components in the loop too.

Welcome to the forum.

[abiby]

Originally Posted by PANZER

I have been reading past posts about idling, stalling, fuel this, accumulator that, electronic ghosts, and it seems that these cars have parts that other cars do not have nor need...why all the bells and whistles and extra modules and doo dads and they mostly go by initials, Is this what happens when you have engineers on crack? HA HA HA! I have been around the usual american muscle cars of the 70's and these parts are not the usual fare! Why so complecated? Also, does the 82 380SL have one of those computers? IF so does it have a diagnostic plug like my 93 Cavalier? You know the one,,, just plug it in, look up the codes and swipe your credit card!

No complex diagnostics like that are available on the 380sl, but they're not particularly difficult to troubleshoot. However, if you use the shotgun approach and just start replacing components you can spend a wad of money really quick.

Welcome to the forum.

[junqueyardjim]

Mercedes has a very expensive book, bound in genuine leather and gold leaf on the the edge of the pages. I don't know what it sells for, but it is a bunch, and they won't even allow it to be sold by Ebay. They claim that they sell all vehicles at cost, losing a little on each but making it up in volume, but their real Corporate profit comes from that book in which they give you the correct pronunciation and the authentic "German" meaning of all those fancy names, plus the abbreviations, which by the way, are really only to be used by "Certified" Mercedes Benz mechanics.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

Mercedes has a very expensive book, bound in genuine leather and gold leaf on the the edge of the pages. I don't know what it sells for, but it is a bunch, and they won't even allow it to be sold by Ebay. They claim that they sell all vehicles at cost, losing a little on each but making it up in volume, but their real Corporate profit comes from that book in which they give you the correct pronunciation and the authentic "German" meaning of all those fancy names, plus the abbreviations, which by the way, are really only to be used by "Certified" Mercedes Benz mechanics.

Jim is absolutely right. The book is called the ADUBE Buch which is short for: Das AlleauskuenfteDarinUeberdieBetonungderErsatzteile-buch aka The everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-German-parts-and-pronunciation-but-were-afraid-to-ask-book.

[tecqboy]

MERCEDES-BENZ ABREVIATIONS
A/C (Automatic)* Air Conditioning (Automatic)
A/C (Tempmatic)* Air Conditioning (Tempmatic)
AB Supplemental Restraint System (Airbag)
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
ADM Automatic Dimming Inside Rearview Mirror
ADS Automatic Damping System (Suspension)
AIR Secondary Air Injection
AP Accelerator Pedal
AS Antenna System
ASD Automatic Locking Differential
ASR Acceleration Slip Regulation
AT Automatic Transmission
ATA* Anti-theft Alarm System
BA Backup Assist
BARO Barometric Pressure
BCAPC Barometric Pressure-charge Air Pressure Compensation
BM* Base Module (Master ECU Controller)
BPC Barometric Pressure Compensation
CA Closing Assist
CAN Controller Area Network
CC* Cruise Control (Tempomat)
CDC Cd Changer
CF Convenience Feature
CFI Continuous Fuel Injection
CKA Crank Angle
CKP Crankshaft Position
CL Central Locking
CLUS Instrument Cluster
CMP Camshaft Position
CST* Cabriolet Soft Top
CTEL Cellular Telephone
CTP Closed Throttle Position (Idle)
DFI* Electronic Distributor-type Fuel Injection
DI* Distributor Ignition System
DM (USA) Diagnostic Module (Emissions)
DTC Diagnostic Trouble Code
EA* Electronic Accelerator
EAG Electronic Automatic Transmission Control
EATC* Electronic Automatic Transmission Control
ECL Engine Coolant Level
ECT Engine Coolant Temperature
EDC Electronic Diesel Control
EDR Electronic Diesel Regulation
EDS Electronic Diesel System
EDW* Anti-theft Alarm System
EFP* Electronic Accelerator
EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation
EGS Electronic Transmission Control
EIFI Electronic In-line Fuel Injection
EMSC Electric Mirror, Steering Column Adjustment, Heated Mirrors
ERE* Electronic In-line Fuel System
ESA Electric Seat Adjustment
ESC Electric Steering Column Adjustment
ESCM Engine System Control Module
ESP Electronic Stability Program
ETC Electronic Transmission Control
ETR Emergency Tensioning Retractor
ETS Electronic Traction System
EVAP Evaporative Emission Control System
EVE Electronic Distributor-type Fuel Injection
EZL Distributor Ignition System
FAN Fanfare Horns
FFS Frame Floor System
FP Fuel Pump
GM Base Module (Master ECU Controller)
HAU Automatic Heater
HCS Headlamp Cleaning System
HEAT Automatic Heater
HFM Hot Film Engine Management
HFS Hands Free System
HHT Hand Held Tester
HORN Horn Signal System
HS Heated Seats
IAT Intake Air Temperature
IC Instrument Cluster
IDC In Dash Controller
IFI* Electronic In-line Fuel System(diesel)
IFZ Infrared Remote Central Locking (IRCL)
IRCL* Infrared Remote Central Locking
ISC* Idle Speed Control
KE Continuous Injection System (CIS)
KFB Convenience Feature
KI Instrument Cluster
KLA Air Conditioning
KS Knock Sensor
KSS Knock Sensor System
LH-SFI LH Sequential Fuel Management Bank 1 (1-6 Cylinders)
LH2-SFI LH Sequential Fuel Management Bank 2 (7-12 Cylinders)
LLR Cruise Control
LS Loudspeaker System
MAF Mass Air Flow
MAP Manifold Absolute Pressure
ME Motor Electronics
MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine)
MT Manual Transmission
MVA Manifold Vacuum Assist
O2S Oxygen (O2) Sensor
OBD On-board Diagnostics
OC Oxidation Catalytic Convertor
OSB Orthopedic Seat Backrest
PL Power Lock
PML Speed-sensitive Power Steering
PMP Partial Intake Manifold Preheater
PNP Park/neutral Position
PS Power Steering
PSE Pneumatic System Equipment
PTS Parktronic System
RB* Roll Bar Control
RD Radio
REST Residual Engine Heat Utilization
RHR Retractable Rear Head Restraints
RHS Rear Heated Seats
RPM Revolutions per Minute (Engine Speed)
RST* Roadster Soft Top
RTG Retractable Trunk Lid Grip
RV Roadster Soft Top
SBE Seat Belt Extender
SLO Starter Lock-out
SMS Service Microfiche System
SPS Speed-sensitive Power Steering
SRS Supplemental Restraint System (Airbag)
STH Stationary Heater
TB Throttle Body
TC Turbo Charger
TCM Transmission Control Module
TD Speed Signal (Time Division) (EZL)
TDC Top Dead Center
TIC Transistorized Ignition Control
TN Speed Signal (EZL/AKR)
TRAP Trap Oxidizer
TS Towing Sensor
TVV Tank Ventilation Valve
TWC Three Way Catalytic Convertor

[MattBelliveau]

Originally Posted by tecqboy

MERCEDES-BENZ ABREVIATIONS
A/C (Automatic)* Air Conditioning (Automatic)
A/C (Tempmatic)* Air Conditioning (Tempmatic)
AB Supplemental Restraint System (Airbag)
ABS Anti-lock Brake System
ADM Automatic Dimming Inside Rearview Mirror
ADS Automatic Damping System (Suspension)
AIR Secondary Air Injection
AP Accelerator Pedal
AS Antenna System
ASD Automatic Locking Differential
ASR Acceleration Slip Regulation
AT Automatic Transmission
ATA* Anti-theft Alarm System
BA Backup Assist
BARO Barometric Pressure
BCAPC Barometric Pressure-charge Air Pressure Compensation
BM* Base Module (Master ECU Controller)
BPC Barometric Pressure Compensation
CA Closing Assist
CAN Controller Area Network
CC* Cruise Control (Tempomat)
CDC Cd Changer
CF Convenience Feature
CFI Continuous Fuel Injection
CKA Crank Angle
CKP Crankshaft Position
CL Central Locking
CLUS Instrument Cluster
CMP Camshaft Position
CST* Cabriolet Soft Top
CTEL Cellular Telephone
CTP Closed Throttle Position (Idle)
DFI* Electronic Distributor-type Fuel Injection
DI* Distributor Ignition System
DM (USA) Diagnostic Module (Emissions)
DTC Diagnostic Trouble Code
EA* Electronic Accelerator
EAG Electronic Automatic Transmission Control
EATC* Electronic Automatic Transmission Control
ECL Engine Coolant Level
ECT Engine Coolant Temperature
EDC Electronic Diesel Control
EDR Electronic Diesel Regulation
EDS Electronic Diesel System
EDW* Anti-theft Alarm System
EFP* Electronic Accelerator
EGR Exhaust Gas Recirculation
EGS Electronic Transmission Control
EIFI Electronic In-line Fuel Injection
EMSC Electric Mirror, Steering Column Adjustment, Heated Mirrors
ERE* Electronic In-line Fuel System
ESA Electric Seat Adjustment
ESC Electric Steering Column Adjustment
ESCM Engine System Control Module
ESP Electronic Stability Program
ETC Electronic Transmission Control
ETR Emergency Tensioning Retractor
ETS Electronic Traction System
EVAP Evaporative Emission Control System
EVE Electronic Distributor-type Fuel Injection
EZL Distributor Ignition System
FAN Fanfare Horns
FFS Frame Floor System
FP Fuel Pump
GM Base Module (Master ECU Controller)
HAU Automatic Heater
HCS Headlamp Cleaning System
HEAT Automatic Heater
HFM Hot Film Engine Management
HFS Hands Free System
HHT Hand Held Tester
HORN Horn Signal System
HS Heated Seats
IAT Intake Air Temperature
IC Instrument Cluster
IDC In Dash Controller
IFI* Electronic In-line Fuel System(diesel)
IFZ Infrared Remote Central Locking (IRCL)
IRCL* Infrared Remote Central Locking
ISC* Idle Speed Control
KE Continuous Injection System (CIS)
KFB Convenience Feature
KI Instrument Cluster
KLA Air Conditioning
KS Knock Sensor
KSS Knock Sensor System
LH-SFI LH Sequential Fuel Management Bank 1 (1-6 Cylinders)
LH2-SFI LH Sequential Fuel Management Bank 2 (7-12 Cylinders)
LLR Cruise Control
LS Loudspeaker System
MAF Mass Air Flow
MAP Manifold Absolute Pressure
ME Motor Electronics
MIL Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine)
MT Manual Transmission
MVA Manifold Vacuum Assist
O2S Oxygen (O2) Sensor
OBD On-board Diagnostics
OC Oxidation Catalytic Convertor
OSB Orthopedic Seat Backrest
PL Power Lock
PML Speed-sensitive Power Steering
PMP Partial Intake Manifold Preheater
PNP Park/neutral Position
PS Power Steering
PSE Pneumatic System Equipment
PTS Parktronic System
RB* Roll Bar Control
RD Radio
REST Residual Engine Heat Utilization
RHR Retractable Rear Head Restraints
RHS Rear Heated Seats
RPM Revolutions per Minute (Engine Speed)
RST* Roadster Soft Top
RTG Retractable Trunk Lid Grip
RV Roadster Soft Top
SBE Seat Belt Extender
SLO Starter Lock-out
SMS Service Microfiche System
SPS Speed-sensitive Power Steering
SRS Supplemental Restraint System (Airbag)
STH Stationary Heater
TB Throttle Body
TC Turbo Charger
TCM Transmission Control Module
TD Speed Signal (Time Division) (EZL)
TDC Top Dead Center
TIC Transistorized Ignition Control
TN Speed Signal (EZL/AKR)
TRAP Trap Oxidizer
TS Towing Sensor
TVV Tank Ventilation Valve
TWC Three Way Catalytic Convertor

Heh...there will be a quiz this Friday.

[junqueyardjim]

After publishing all those abbreviations there will be no reason to purchase the ADUBE Buch, commonly known in the Fatherland as the Das AlleauskuenfteDarinUeberdieBetonungderErsatzteile-buch aka The everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-German-parts-and-pronunciation-but-were-afraid-to-ask-book. How in the world will they be able to stay in business? Didn't you think about that at all?