Just my opinion............... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ILUVMILS · #1 10-25-2005, 06:20 PM

I've been reading the comments and opinions concerning the MB engine wiring harness issue on this Forum for a couple of years now with great interest. I've seen several posts warning of potential fire hazards. Over the years I've seen rear window heater relays fail and melt wires. I've seen blower motor wiring overheat and melt. I've seen power seat wiring chafed and burned up. I've seen seat heater elements overheat and toast seat covers. I've seen water soaked fuse boxes get hot enough to melt the plastic covers. A few years ago I replaced the entire frame floor/body harness on an 02' S500, along with the rear fuse box and SAM because of melted wires. (MB bought the car back because we couldn't get the smell of burnt plastic/smoke out of the car) I've seen countless wires burn up due to pinching, chafing, crushing, etc., and sometimes cause minor damage from the heat produced. One thing I've NEVER seen is a fire caused by a defective engine wiring harness. Never. Not one. Not even a hint of something getting hot enough to burn.

As far as it being a safety issue? The OVERWHELMING majority of affected vehicles exhibit relatively minor problems at first. An intermittent crank/no-start is probably the most serious problem when the harness begins to deteriorate. Check engine lights are much more common and usually amount to little more than a nuisance. I've never seen any MB simply die without warning while driving down the highway(which IS a serious safety issue)due to a defective harness. To put it simply, the symptoms are minor at first, and increase in severity as the harness deteriorates further. If, for whatever reason, the owner ignores the warning signs, they shouldn't be surprised when the problem gets worse. Please remember, this is only my opinion, but it's based on what I've seen in the seventeen years I've spent working on these cars.

Lastly, don't be surprised at MB side-stepping the issue. I could be wrong, but it's my guess that the people complaining the loudest aren't even the original owners of the cars in question. In the eyes of MB, there's no comparison between the original buyer and a second-hand buyer(unless it's a STARMARK/CPO). You may reply, "what difference does that make?" or "true, but why would I ever buy a new MB if they won't stand behind the old ones?". They'll tell you they offer one of the best factory warranties in the industry and they'd be right. MB is probably guessing that most of the people complaining will never be in the market for a new MB anyway. Besides, MB has had way too many quality issues in recent years to worry about cars that have been out of warranty for at least five years.

tom r · #2 10-25-2005, 07:59 PM

We live in Pickering Ontario & our local MB dealer cannot diagnose cars older than 1994. I guess I have to go to Radio Shack & buy a lead. Don't you think they could rent one?

Tom-R

G-Benz · #3 10-25-2005, 08:49 PM

I understand your theory regarding MB's stance on the wiring harness issues and the incidences reported via second-hand owners, but I have to ask:

Why was the same stance taken for the harmonic balancer and the ring coking ML engines from the improper FSS intevals with dino oil? Those issues turned up with "under warranty" vehicles and first owners had to fight uphill battles (many lost) with MB to get them to admit there was a factory defect that required an admission and a service campaign to fix!

Ironically, I have had to deal with the harness and the balancer with out of pocket $$$ (both vehicles out of warranty and/or past goodwill mileage). Fortunately, the ML left the showroom with synth oil and stayed on the program consistently.

I love my MBs, but Honda and Lexus does a better job in this arena...and they don't discriminate against new car vs. second-hand owners, etc...

ILUVMILS · #4 10-26-2005, 12:38 PM

Good question G-Benz. The answer is simple. The legal climate in the U.S. dictates the strategy that companies must follow to avoid being overrun with lawsuits. The strategy is always the same. Deny, deny, deny!!! It's sad but true, and it's not only MB who does this. As a shop foreman, I have access to information such as pending technical bulletins, campaigns, etc., well in advance of their official release. The reason? MB dealers need information as it develops. We can't wait weeks or months for the MB legal department to approve the language used in the publication of information that will be made available to the general public. The information is passed along by word of mouth, completely un-filtered. It's an absolute necessity and it serves in the best interest of our clients'. I do think MB should have done the right thing, but I think they're past the point of no return.

msethk · #5 10-26-2005, 01:13 PM

I dont know how many first time mercedes owners can AFFORD a new mercedes. My First mercedes just a couple years ago was a 1973 220d. A car I was very happy with (minus all the smoke) and I went from there up to a 1994. I am ready to upgrade now (although I will probably go with a bmw or lexus) but most first time owners- young families, etc) simply can't afford to buy high dollar car. Making this into a money/income issue should never mean Mercedes should not fix their problems.

DanielG · #6 10-26-2005, 03:53 PM

Also, part of buying a new MB is the idea that it can be sold as a used car later and will retain value -- so, without persons buying used MB's there would probably be very few who would want to buy new MB's or certified used MB's.