Hi tan man, the service history of your car tells a story.
130,355/Not much to go on here. Doesn't look like a harness issue to me.
139,685/Runs hot due to some type of auxiliary fan problem (bad fan, relay, blown fuse ) but NOT related to engine harness. Hard start at times? Is this why the throttle was cleaned?
145,234/Crank-no start and high idle. The OVP most likely fixed all these problems and was probably the cause for the hard start at 139,685. The IAT plays such a small role in fuel calculation you could unplug it and you'd never know the difference. I see the IAT code all the time. I check my '94 E320 for codes regularly and IAT pops up more often than not. I'm curious why the coolant temp. sensor was replaced. They're pretty reliable.
151,309/MAF sensor, coolant temp. sensor, EGR tube. I have seen engine harnesses cause damage to MAF sensors. The harness had nothing to do with the clogged EGR tube, though. And why another coolant temp. sensor? I'm starting to wonder if someone was just throwing parts at the car.
151,896/Cleaned WHAT connections? If they cleaned the coolant temp. sensor connections they owe you a refund for the two temp. sensors!!!

You say you think that all the above mentioned parts failed because the harness is bad? I totally disagree. The MAF sensor maybe, maybe not. They're a common problem on all MB's, with or without faulty engine harnesses. Same goes for the throttle actuator. But if you think your engine harness is causing all these problems then why on earth don't you just get it fixed??? Are you not sure if it's bad? I'd be happy happy to look at it for you. Send me an E-mail or PM and we'll arrange it.


The reason I started this thread is because there's so much mis-information with regard to the engine harness issue that I had to speak out. There seems to be a mob mentality beginning to form. I'm simply trying to help the members of this Forum understand more about the cars they enjoy so much.

ILUVMILS, perhaps reading the below, complaint by complaint, will help you understand why there is, and should be, "a mob mentality beginning to form."

http://users.adelphia.net/~infoage1/complaints_nhtsa_mercedes_wiring_harness_failures_1992_1995.html


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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

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Agree....

I don't disagree that MB screwed up BIGTIME, but I'm seeing more and more people who want to blame the engine harness for darn near every problem they have!!! The spread of incorrect information only hurts the cause, which is to convince MB to do the right thing.

It doesn't matter whether a mob is forming or not. This was never anything more than a business decision for Mercedes and they made their decision - that the customer satisfaction of the second/third owner, out of warranty wiring harness victims was worth less to them than the cost of fixing those cars. Life goes on.

I follow this whole wire harness very close and I just wish that mercedes dealers and mechanics would get on board with owners and solicit Mercedes Benz to do the right thing. I know dealers and mechanics love it when they get these cars in for inspections and that it brings in revenue. The real question here (and decision Mercedes Benz should make) is - Wouldn't they really gain by bringing these cars in to replace harness for free if they could pick a ton of side business at the same time? this at first would appear to be a money loser for mercedes but I continue to buy all parts, including filters, brakes, etc from a mercedes dealer and not 3rd party vendors. Getting rid of the car to negate the problem only helps lose mercedes a customer wether 1st owner, 3rd owner or 10th owner( has that ever happened? haha) I have some additional things that need to be fixed that I cannot do myself and would be happy to give to a dealer if I really felt Mercedes really cared about my car and even more importantly, me, an owner! Apparently they are too busy cleaning up their most recent mistakes.

iluvmils, let me clarify; I purchased the car at 158k miles. at the time the check engine light was on and the idle was high. I can not comment on the work done previous to that, but I list it because it seems suspicious. to quote the previous owner, every time he fixed a sensor, another one would go bad. are they due to fail at around 150k....maybe. I suspect previous owners postions was that once the vibes are negative your confidence is gone and you start to feel phantom things wrong with the car.

iluvmils,
sent you PM

There was a MAJOR recall on a lot of Fords in the past because of fire hazards. The ignition switches on several models (effecting millions of cars) could catch fire. Most recently, the Expedition had a major recall, because of some sort of a cruise control switch under the hood stayed powered even when turned off and would cause fires. I remember seeing one report where one caught fire in someones garage and it destroyed their home.

The 70s, 80s and 90s Mopars (Chrysler) had a lot of models that were fire hazards, due to poor electrical, but Ford joined in with them in the 80s and 90s (and even current) when it comes to this.

One of the hot topics is engine wiring harness failures over on the SL forum which always seem to compliment ETA failure.

ETA insulation wiring failure:

http://v12uberalles.com/throttle_actuator_rewire.htm

and here.. http://www.luhrsitconsulting.com/mercedes_eta.htm

and one in depth step by step thread about replacing ETA wiring here:
Electronic Accelerator (EA) - Who's got the best price?


AND engine sub harness failure:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=1202133&start=1&fid=13

It's definitely true as a picture speaks a thousand words, however it's not true for everyone. My SL500 '93 (LH) has no evidence of insulation failure so either my car never reaches the same temperatures as those in the US or more likely, the insulation material is of a different grade.

Just my 2pc

Lea

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'93 R129 500SL-32
'89 190E 2.6 - sold in 2002

http://antron.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/i...nature/Sig.jpg

I have been researching and following the defects in wiring and other areas in the W140 cars, as I look for the V12 or whatever I'll get. But, the statement that M-B doesn't care about the next owner of their cars, after the new car buyer, seems to contradict themselves in the fact that they have their Road Emergency Service, to ANY owner of a M-B car, no matter how old the car and any owner.

This seems to me that they care about the people who drive their cars, even when something that is out of M-B's control, affects the owners. The flawed electrical wiring would seem to warrant such concern because for the danger of fire and the crippling of the car at speed with it's passengers. What about the innocent public if they are caught in the events of such a failure?

They should re-examine and re-think this problem. If they do what's right, it will benefit all more than they can imagine and the goodwill created; Money can't Buy!