This just started a few days ago. It jumps around violently and erratically with large swings that go from empty up to whatever the current gas level is (and even a little above that but only because the swings are so violent though) and everywhere in between, very random with no pattern. It then sits dead for a while only to start back up again (circuit breaker of some sort?) The dead periods are getting longer in duration while the alive periods are getting shorter.

Already did a search and only came up with some threads from the diesel side where they talk about cleaning the in tank sending unit. I really don't think this applies to me. This really seems to be a bad ground or bad connection or something else electrical. Where is the best place to start looking? Has anybody had to deal with this before? Thanks to all who help!
Regards, Eric

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

Our 88 W126 does this... has done it since I have owned it (3 years). Was told it was the sending unit in the tank... supposed to be purchasing one from a member here if my dad gets on the ball and gets it (for my mothers car).

my car does the same thing once it reaches the half way mark. I haven't tried to fix it yet since it doesn't pose a real problem yet. I'll get around to it once I have everything else squared away

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1990 190E 3.0L

I had to replace two sending units (both factory parts) in my 400E over a ten year period for the same symptoms you described above. It's not a difficult job at all. You will need a big crescent wrench to get to the nut on top of the gas tank from the trunk. Harbor Freight has a big wrench for cheap. All in all, it takes about 15 minutes.

__________________
1993 400E, 256,000 miles (totaled)
1994 E420, 200,000+ miles
1995 E420, 201,000 miles

Did it ever reach a point where it would just stay dead and not even flicker any more?

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

well mine only flickers at the half way mark, but once it gets past it, it doesn't flicker anymore

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

Meaning it goes dead or acts normal at that point?

Also asking Emery since his car is more similar to mine.

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

it acts normal....which is why I left it alone.....usually it takes me about two or three times to get something done right because I always end up effing something up in the process

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1990 190E 3.0L

LOL! Trust me, you are not the only one! That's why I want to gather as much info as possible before I start effing stuff up.
Regards, Eric

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

well I'm sure you know how much gas you have do why not leave it alone until you have time to research it more. I don't think it harms anything

__________________

1990 190E 3.0L

Because the "dead" periods are getting longer and longer. I don't want to wait till it doesn't work at all.

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

I resemble that remark too, LOL

BTW, large channel lock pliers works too.

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

Works in effing things up?

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

(That was just me being silly. You knew that right?)

OK, all kidding aside, I'd like to have a replacement sending unit or two in my hand from my favorite U-Pull-It before I take this apart so I won't have to do it twice. So I'll have to wait till I can hit that yard first. If it turns out that I don't need a sending unit after all, well then I'll have spares instead which is always a good thing.

I do appreciate all the help!

In the meantime, are there any other possible culprits that I should be aware of?
Regards, Eric

__________________
89 300E "Benzer1" 15.924 Uncorrected
93 400E "Benzer3" 14.200 U.C.
95 E420 "Benzer4"
92 300E "Benzer5" 16.299 U.C. Future turbo CNG
87 300D "Benzer7"
87 300D "Benzer8"
87 300D "Benzer9"
87 300D/70 AMC Javelin "Sidewinder-Benzer"
87 300TD "Benzer11"
06 E320 CDI "Benzer12"
05 E320 CDI "Benzer12A"
71 AMC Javelin AMX 401 "Sidewinder"
74 AMC Hornet 401 "C.K.10" 13.63 U.C.
74 Bricklin SV1 "Presto" AMC 360 pwrd.

Also on the back of the instrument cluster is a potentiometer that is set from factory. You dont adjust it but if you do a search here or at benzworld you may find an article like I did that said to get a dielectric compond from radioshack and pour it on it and will stabilize the low currect that is coming from the tank which causes this condition. I actually havent heard anyone say the sending unit ever fixed this problem to my knowledge.