Got my car back from the mechanic (Mercedes-expert shop) after a routine brake fluid flush and had asked him to look into an idleing problem I was noticing when the car came to a stop. The rev's go Up and Down/Up and Down (from around 1,000 RPM to 2,500 RPM) and ocassionally the car will end up stalling when the gas pedal is hit, (when starting to move again). The mechanic told me it was the throttle actuator that was the cause and laid it down for me!!!!!!! : !$1,900! PART + !$170! LABOR!!!

Please can somebody tell me if I should look into another area of the car or another cause of this faulty idleing, before I completely loose it!!!

Thank you,
Andrew Montoya
Orlando, FL

Your mechanic is probably right.

However, the problem could also be a vacum leak or a bad mass air meter.

I'd have him search for a vacum leak first, and if none found, then swap in a known good mass air meter, which can be replaced in about 15 minutes.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Price seems high. I remember reading around 1k for the part.

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

About 2 years ago, the wholesale price was about $1,250, and the dealer price was about $1,400-ish.

Factor in inflation for two years, along with the hefty price increases that the factory has taken recently, and the quote you were given could be accurate.

There's one way to find out:

Call Phil here at Fastlane and get a quote.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Damn that is high.

1900 though?

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

You could also check car-parts.com.

I don't understand why there are no places to have these rebuilt. Some 93-95 Saab 9000s had similar electronic throttles, they are called TCS (Throttle Control Systems). They can be rebuilt for a few hundred. Why not the Mercedes?

You might check on the web. I think there was a place in the U.K. that does the rebuilds. I'm sure it would be cheaper to send it over and have it done then to buy a new one.

I have a 94 and I keep my eyes open to buy a spare.

-Charles

Call PHIL at Partsshop. I just had my throttle actuator replaced on my '93 400E about 4 months ago for the same symptoms. Phil got the part to me quickly and it was still $1250. So the price really hasnt gone up.

Good luck.

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

I wonder is anyone has taken one of those electronic throttles apart and resoldered it? Solder joints seem to be the big problem in car electronics. Look at W126 cruise control modules, resolder them and they work fine. Fuel pump relays too.

I've got one of those electronic throttles on my Volvo V70 and i'm just waiting for the day if craps out.

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Regards

Warren

Currently 1965 220Sb, 2002 FORD Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Had 1965 220SEb, 1967 230S, 280SE 4.5, 300SE (W126), 420SEL

ENTER > = (HP RPN)

Not part of the in-crowd since 1952.