The harness surgery was a success.

Got it all back together, engine runs great.

Spliced the coil signal wires in near the big connector behind the battery, took ground to the left inner fender, as original.

Covered the new wires with a split loom, looks good.

I'm going to keep my eyes out for the correct harness, but for now, I think I'm good to go.

Many thanks for all the good advice, glad to have a positive outcome!

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Thanks Jim!
Pete

Good news. This info will save many members $$$$ in the future I believe.

__________________
http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z...-RESIZED-1.jpg
1991 300E - 212K and rising fast...

I went through the same thing, partially rebuilding an old harness, high fiving everyone on completion, but two months later it was deader than a doornail again. It's akin to partial removal of a malignant tumor.

I'm not sayin' it's permanent.
I'll need to replace it eventually.

But if I can find one harness at the Pick n Pull, I should be able to find the other at some point.

This just buys me time until I can score another, correct one.

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

Please bear in mind, this harness was not causing any problems.
I noticed deteriorating insulation at one point only, rearmost coil pack. The rest of the harness is still pliable.

I think I've got some time....

Jim

__________________
14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles