Happy Holiday season. Maybe someone can help. I have a 96 S320 that has an uneven surging stumbling idle. Under acceleration the power is very uneven and will completely stumble and resume. I've even had trouble with stalling. Any Ideas?

Likely causes are: vacuum leak, bad mass air meter, throttle actuator.

Your engine is an M104 engine, the same engine used in E320's.

Search the posts of Arthur Dalton. He has been extremely helpful with helping people with your exact problem. There is a ton of info available to read.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

From my experience with EXACTLY what you are describing, im going to bet ALL money on the Oxygen Sensors....

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536 West 41st Street
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-My Garage-
1996 E320: White 118,000 miles ~Dad's Driver~
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No CEL and codes?

If so, post them.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I will post codes as soon as i can get them read. There is no check enging light.; the shop can't take the car until tuesday. I'm also going to try unplugging the o2 sensors and see if there is a difference. I also unplugged the mas sensor with no difference at all. Thanks guys and I'll keep you posted.

It's amazing that just a coil can cause that much trouble but that's it. A coil.
Thanks for your input

after a week of perfect preformance it has started the hunting at idle and power issues underway both at acceleration and at steady speeds. The only coincidence is heavy rains today but it is not the first day. ??? Help

You posted that you remedied the problem with a coil, but my bet is it just needs the plug connectors under the coils...very common 104 fault.
..and the first change when a coil is suspect.

I replaced the wires both under the coils as well as the three stand alone. The car ran very well. I am curious if i tap the mass air flow sensor the car goes immediately stumbles. I am also wondering about the alternator...Thanks again everyone...

Brian.

In that case , I would clean the connector pins before condemning the MAF...

Thanks..did that but only the ones at car plug to the assembly. Is there or are there internal connectors also?