ASR and Limp-Home problem 500SL...

[allward]

Hello everyone,
I have with interest studied all these ASR threads. I live in Sweden and the symptoms are the same here...
I have a 1993 500SL on which I have had this problem the last year. Now when I see that there is hope i decided to do something.
My instrument says 87K miles, but it might has gone more...

It gets in Limp-Home (and ASR lights) almost everytime when I drive it out of the garage (cold). It occurs when shifting to drive (when I get low idle) or when hesitating with throttle. After some waiting and restarts it goes off, and when stopped at a redlight (low idle) it's back again. I think the problem is gone when the engine reaches temperature.

I blinked out the codes, and those who insisted to remain (at several readings and erasings) are:
ABS/ASR pin6: 30, Can data line to EA/CC/ISC module
EA/CC/ISC pin7: 3, EA/CC/ISC actuator
LH-SFI pin4: 13, which is a broken intake air temperature sensor. I noticed it when I did the readout, so I haven't changed it yet.
(The pins and codes have been translated as from Jim's S500 page. I suppose these are equal for S500 and 500SL).

Is it maybe even in my case the cable from the throttle actuator, or the pot inside the actuator?
Thank you for any help!
Best,
Rikard

[Justin_Luhrs]

I just found a site that appears to be someone in Japan, with wiring problems same as the rest of us.

I'd bet money your wires are toast.

If you need your units rewired and can do without the car for awhile, there are several people on the board qualified to redo them for you. It'll cost you a bit more (shipping... ouch!) but will be far far cheaper than any alternative.

If you're handy with a DVM, you can check your potentiometer without even pulling your units out of the car.

My money is still on the wire.

Justin

[LeaUK]

Your symptoms are identical to those suffered on mine a year ago, it was always under deceleration that triggered the ASR light - see my thread a while back: ASR problem resolved - by 4 cable ties

In summery it boiled down to the cable setup and a broken cable jacket.

Check yours first before worrying about cable issues - but unfortunately these will be your next port of call as Justin mentions.

Lea

[allward]

Thanks both of you for your replies!

I'll start with checking the cable setup first then. It's not broken, but maybe it has to be adjusted. I don't know how yet, but I'll ask my friend at the MB-dealer or something.

Next must be to unplug the ETA cable and gently cut the isolation for an inspection.
Sounds very nice that there is people who can help with rewiring. Freight cost to US is $60 for the cheapest one-way 7day package in this size. If I want faster shipping or with some kind of insurance, which I want, then it's not so cheap anymore...

An other alternative would maybe be to take a look at it myself. I saw you talked about a tefzel teflon cable. Is this the one to use in that case?

Thanks!
Best,
Rikard