Dumb Newbie Question - Ignition Control Unit

[Zestieboy]

Hi all,

I've got an 83 380SL with electronic ignition. The ICU box (mounted on the front driver side fender) has two large wires. One has a large plug (grey) and routes back from the unit towards the firewall and the other is a single plug green wire that heads to the base of the distributor. Can someone tell me what the green wire does and how does someone go about replacing it? Thanks!

[mbdoc]

That is the signal from the distributor...simply un-plug from both ends.

What is the real problem?

The distributor creates a/c current as it spins....can be measured at the connector on the ignition module.

[Zestieboy]

I noticed yesterday that the reinforced area surrounding the boot on the ICU side was frayed. I also noticed that as I handled the wire, the RPM would rise and fall. Upon further observation, the reinforcement completely fell apart exposing some bare wire and I noticed that the boot itself was also cracked. Temporarily, I taped it all up really tight.

Since I've been having an intermittent, heat-related problem with poor acceleration, missing, sputtering, can't accelerate over 40 etc. I thought this must certainly be a factor, if not the cause itself.

I tried to look online to see what I might order but the closest I came was to a "condenser wire" and I'm pretty sure my car doesn't have one and if it did, everyone snips those off anyway. It is green though, just like this one.

Obviously, I'm looking to replace this wire whatever it's called, ASAP. Thanks!

[mbdoc]

MB part number 000-159-82-18 or Bosch number 1 234 431 335
distributor cable.

MB shows a list of $140....maybe $80 would be a good price.

[Zestieboy]

Got it - installed it. Thank you all!