Hello,

Underneath the fuses in the glob of wires, I found the two pin connector with the green and brown wiring. However, the connector is very different from the one that came on the replacement cable. I bought the new one from fastlane. (I know you can buy a cheap thermistor and solder it on but I dont know how to do that)

Some people say the wire runs all the way back to the cluster. The connector on the new one looks small and dainty, like something you'd find back behind the dash. I know how to pull the cluster, but wiring it in through the firewall looks nearly impossible.
After the junction in the fuse box, the wire runs further underneath the box into regions unseen to the eye. So would I have to remove the entire fuse box? How do I do that?

It is starting to look like cutting and splicing the sensor is the best way.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Are you replacing the "sender" (the part that attaches to the front bumper) or the dash unit?

If you are referring to the sender, I did this about a year ago but details are cloudy.

I believe the kit I ordered (from Fastlane) came with a connection plug. You had to put the leads in the connector and snap it together, then plug onto the connection under the fuse box.

Btw, removal of six screws allow you to gain access to the underside of the fuse box.

Most folks splice because it seems far too painstaking to trace the wire all the way from the bumper to the fuse box...but I'm a purist and will go the extra length to do it right.

The wire takes a twisty route around the shock tower, behind the ABS unit, around the A/C compressor, then behind the headlight before disappearing in the bumper cavity. It's flashlight time from here on. The wire eventually surfaces again behind the license plate panel were it finally resides.

Along with tracing the route, the wire is bundled in places with others in a harness. So you have to uncouple the ties (or loosen at least) to get the wire through.

The entire job took me an hour, but I work slowly and carefully...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

G-Benz,

I need to replace the sending unit on my 300E. Your instructions are pretty clear. I tried splicing one and it did not work. I am going to order a kit from fastlane. Is that the kit for $58.00 that you ordered? Thanks for the instructions.

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Donwo
1999 SL 500 Sport (30K miles)
1998 E320 (SOLD)
1989 560SL (SOLD)
1987 300E (TOTALED)
1986 300E (SOLD)
1984 300SD (SOLD)

Thanks G-Benz. I'll take another look at it. The sending unit kit ($58 from fastlane) came with 6 pins and a small plastic piece. The pins are sets of 2 in 3 different sizes. That must be what you mean, you just connect them and build it into the new connector? I dunno, but if I cant figure it out, I'll just go bother my mechanic.

I have a bunch of questions for him anyways, but I have some beer to offer.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

donwo: Yes. The sending unit is the $58 part offered by FastLane. BTW, despite the painstaking install, my temp display is still not functioning properly. I believe the dash display is more prone to failure than the sender. This is where the thermistor repair is in order...maybe later for me.

joshhol: As I stated, details are foggy, but I DO know that I had snipped off the excess cable and soldered the metal leads that came with the kit onto the bare wires. The plastic coupler then snapped together over the completed leads, allowing the sender to now plug into the junction in the fuse box.

It could be that the plastic coupler may be different for your car than mine. In any case, you should be able to gently separate the leads from the old coupler and do the same thing...for that matter, perhaps that's what I did!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car