More 300E Ignition control unit problems.

[pezzy]

I actually have a question about ignition control units going bad. Well my car has been in the shop almost 3 weeks now. I first bought a used ignition control unit at a junkyard but it ended up being for a different car but it was good, I went and traded it in for a different one and got the right one but this one does not work. I was wondering, is it possible that these things may go bad when the car is in an accident or just be bad cause of corrosion. I would like to know if I am just wasting my time with that junkyard. I found a new unit for $786 and was wondering is there any place that offers rebuilt units or used units that they know will work? Mercedesshop does not carry the ICU for my car so thats not an option. Thanks for all your help.

http://www.programainc.com/ is a site I heard about from another list. They sell warranteed and tested rebuilt electronics. I have NOT personally done any business with them so can't vouch for the company, but perhaps others on the list know about them or another rebuilder.

When I replaced my climate control module, my independent shop used a rebuilt unit which was about 1/3 the cost of the new one from the dealer, had a decent warranty, and so far is working fine.

[Tobias MB]

Adam,
Try calling Beckmann Technologies in Durham, NC at 1-800-742-1021 and get a rebuilt unit. Junkyard electronic parts are always hit or miss and I'm sure you don't want that kind of reliability factor in your Benz. Bob has always done excellent work for me and has a good reputation. He may even have the unit you need in stock and can ship right away, then you return your core for credit.

TobiasMB
4 MBs

[stevebfl]

Our shop has probably worked on 3 300Es a day for ten years. I have never replaced an ignition control unit on one. I say this for two reasons. First I worry about the diagnosis and second it means that this is a very good choice as a used unit. I would be surprised if it couldn't easily be bought for less than 200. The reliability is so great I would not worry about a used one.

Control units in general are usually very cheap in the right junk yards. I bought a EA/CC/ISC controller for a 400E last month for $100. Turned out the problem was the throttle assy. I sure was glad that my "tool" only cost $100 not the $780 that a new one would have.

These controllers are so good that the junk yards wind up with piles of them. If you go to the extreme specialists here you will be stuck hard. Porsche yards usually get 50% of list price for such an item. If the car is common enough to make it to the large Import yards the prices will probably be less than 25% of new.

This advise is based on near thirty years dealing with Bosch electronics. It would be very different if the control unit was for an S-10 pickup truck.

[pezzy]

I am pretty sure his diagnosis of the ICU is right. He put a test light on the old one, the 1st one I got from the junk yard and the 2nd one I got from the junkyard. The old one didnt make the test light flash at all, the second one did make the light flash, and he said the third one didnt make the light flash. The reason the 1st one from the junkyard didnt get the car to start is because it was for a totally different car. He was telling me that if you drive with a bad coil for a long time then it will ruin the ICU, and apparently my coil was bad. The second ICU I got looked real corroded in the pins on one of the round connectors and the O-rings that seal the plugs from moisture were in bad shape. I will call that number you gave me and look for a rebuilt unit.

[bigbenzman]

I have found "Atlanta Stuttgart" is a good source for used parts,if that is what you are looking for. They are good people, located in Canton, Ga. north of Atlanta, their number is 770-720-1110.

Do you feel like your tech made the correct diagnosis? You may want to solicit second opinions. I'm not a tech, so I'm not qualified to help on this. Good luck on getting your car out of the shop, three weeks is a long time.

Ken Yancey