Have car in shop, mech. says I need ignition module. Can come either as new OEM from Mercedes at around $800. or I can shop used for probably around $150 to $300.
Questions: Will ANY model year ignition module for a gas W124 inline 6 work? Or do I specifically need the '88 unit?
ALSO, do I need to replace my coil when I do find a new ignition module unit?
Here's what one guy said:
"and yes, you do need to replace the coil or you run the chance of burning up the good used unit. not worth the risk."

Thanks,
Tom in Tulsa
'88 300E

P.S. BTW, if anyone HAS a suitable ignition module, don't be shy!

Is the diagnosis reliable? how did yor mech found that the ignition module is bad? They use to be very solid.

yes I think any module from old car is ok Check number of cylinders and have the ref of the part.

To be confirmed by specialists

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Keep us posted especially if your problem is solved
Present cars:
My car: E-class 420CDI, 2008, W211, V8, 180 000km

Wife's one: C-class 220CDI Sport Coupé, Euro, 2002, W203. 345 000km

Son's one: GLK class 220CDI, 2009, W204

Sold E class 260E, W124, 1988 beloved car sold after 489 000 kilometres of reliable services (engine M103, clutch and 5 speed manual gear box all original).

E-class, W210 320CDI, 2000[/B], 225 000km, Sold

Tom, check with the Parts Department at your local MB dealer for the various ignition control unit part numbers that will fit your 1988 300E. As you probably know there are part upgrades that may be suitable for your engine.

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Fred Hoelzle

Thanks both very much for the replies. Not sure how it was diagnosed. The part number off the unit is (not sure where all the spaces go) 006 545 76 32. When I called the local Mercedes parts dept. they gave me 008 545 62 32 as the new OEM part number based on the VIN of my car.
So, it looks like I can use ANY ignition module from ANY 300E 6 cylinder gas car. BUT, question remains, do I need to buy a new coil as well?

Thanks for the replies, looking forward to getting this thing fixed in the next week or so.

Regards,
Tom in Tulsa

A subscription to EPS, which is free, could make you one of the world's experts on 300E ignition control boxes within minutes. It looks like you're looking for an 86-89 part rather than 90-92 - but lots of superceded part numbers and a VIN split. I too would want to know more about the diagnosis, seems to be an uncommon failure item. Swapping parts with another car is always a good test. Coil is under $70 and seems like a good idea. One of the rebuilders, forget which one, actually requires a new coil or warranty coverage is void.

https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/welcome.jsp

Thanks for that, I guess I'll be calling the shop tomorrow and see how the ignition module was diagnosed. I don't want to seem as though I'm checking up on them, though, and if he tells me how, I just wonder if I'll know enough to determine whether what they did was the "right" thing or not. Can't run the EPC on my computer, it's not advanced enough based on the minimum system requirements. Good to know there's a break, though, guess I can get any unit up to '89 M.Y. Now I guess I'll start looking for a new coil, wonder how much Mercedes is going to soak me for that? You say under $70? That's not bad. I do have a guy in California sending an ignition module for test purposes which, if it works, he'll sell me for $300. And, I hate to buy a new coil for that "test" unless we know for sure it's the ignition module that's at fault. I can see this is turning into a nightmare scenario. How DOES one properly diagnose a failure of the ignition module?
Thanks for all the help.
Tom in Tulsa
'88 300E

Tom, I have a module and coil for sale. I'd let em go together for $250. Mine is an 86 300E. It was in working order when i pulled it out about 3 weeks ago.

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Thanks, Nels
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86 300E
93 W250 4X4 Cummins Power
72 F250 Highboy
89 S-10 408ci BBC
custom V Four Chopper
77 Peterbilt 352
83 Jeep CJ-5

You can check all the part numbers here provided you have your chassis number to hand. A0065457432, and A0085456232 will also work but earlier ones could possibly work too dependent on your chassis number.

Make sure cleans the bottom of the ICM and uses new heat transfer paste (the stuff that is placed between heatsinks and CPUs) in between the unit and the fender when installing it or you'll need another down the road. If your coil is tired it will place more strain on the ICM and cause it to give up prematurely. I replaced the coil and entire secondary ignition system along with my ICM recently to cure a hesitation problem.

On the other hand, a good Mercedes mechanic should know the answer to the question you've originally asked. Since yours perhaps doesn't and you're left doing the legwork ... well, it's easy to understand a professional not showing much interest in installing used parts whether you've tracked them down or s/he has and you can expect to pay for his/her time installing any that don't work. Perhaps some independents have tested used units on hand, but it's not something to assume.

Are there rebuilders of these units?

A good Mercedes mechanic should have a subscription to WIS, which includes diagnostics that can lead to the conclusion offered. Did you know ahead of time whether your mechanic subscribes?

If you're not budgeting for $1500-$2000 year in maintenance on a 20 year old Mercedes, you're not a realistic owner. (Shame to waste any of it on mechanics that you question this much.) Failure of any electronic unit on a Mercedes of this vintage is a distinct possiblity.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

Hi Kent.
Yeah, you're probably right, but then again, only Pete Quinn budgets for repairs, remember?
Parts on their way from Randy Steele, should be installed some time this week I hope, keep fingers crossed.
Tom Reynolds
Tulsa, OK

Okay, Help needed. The ignition module shipped to the shop, and a new coil, have been installed, and here's what's happening.
With the OLD module and new coil, the car runs, then dies for lack of spark. With the NEWER (shipped) module and new coil, the car runs "a little longer" and then dies for lack of gas.

?????
H E L P! What is wrong, what do I need? Now, the shipped module has failed once before, not sure if it was a mis-diagnosis or what, but apparently it's either not the problem or it's a failed unit, 'cause my car's not going anywhere. Should I try another module? Found out I can use a MY '86 up to and including MY '89.
Thanks for all replies.
Tom in Tulsa

Last time I had the car out, it started, ran great for 10 to 15 minutes, then I noticed a miss, then another one, then it started to really stumble, and then died. Had it towed to the shop where it is now.
Now, with another ignition module and a new coil the car starts and runs, not sure for how long, but then dies "for lack of gas" according to mechanic. With the old, original module, the car runs, but not for as long, whatever time period that is, and then it dies "for lack of spark."
Don't know what else has been tried, but that's the way things are now. Suggestions on what to check? "Dies for lack of gas." What could be the problem there?

Thanks very much,
Tom in Tulsa
1988 300E

replace flywheel pickup sensor.[supplies tdc info to ignition module]

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David S Poole
European Performance
Dallas, TX
4696880422

"Fortune favors the prepared mind"
1987 Mercedes Benz 420SEL
1988 Mercedes Benz 300TE (With new evaporator)
2000 Mercedes Benz C280
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