'94 E420-Original Wiring Harness?

[Brian77]

Hello, I have a '94 E420. How do I determine if the car has its original upper wiring harness? I carefully slliced into the outer fabric coating and the insulation appears to be intact. However, I cannot locate any label on the harness regarding its production date, and I do not have any records of it being replaced. Was there a change in the wire colors that would indicate an old versus new harness? Car is just shy of 100k miles.

Thanks,
Brian

[Jim B.]

I don't know how to tell, but I got my '95 E420 a year and a day ago, and one of the selling points was that it's original wiring harness had been replaced with the old-style harness. they opened the hood and showed me. The seller was the owner of a repair shop that specialized in fixing the w124 and this was his son's personal car they were selling.

Even with the ($3,000 low) cost and (low) 131k miles on he car i would not have bought it - even with the paint job it needed.. if the original politically correct wiring harness was there...

If it was me it and it was discovered - in THIS case - it had the original 1994 wiring harness I would for sure replace it.



I have added the Remus exhaust, the Lorinser wing and the AMG 17" monoblock wheels and the front euro blinkers (and new Almandine red pant) and a trunk triangle in the trunk and 40% tint.






Fully serviced and all mechanical/fluid issues brought up to date and the paint tires and wheels, probably cost me $5,000 to $7,000 more than the $3,000 I spent to get it, but it looks and runs perectly, no rust (lifetime New Mexico) or collisions on the carfax. these are great cars to maintain and enjoy driving.
the 420 is a powerful and robust engine (m119) and laast a LONG time, the car is easy to work on.

1994-195 is the last iteration of this classic beauty, which is believed the last E class that is uncomplicated, classic and very reliable, simple and sturdy.


New Bilsteins HD and Continental Extreme Contact DWS tires too.


(and 21k trouble free miles too.) Love the car.

You have a real good car to drive too.

[Brian77]

Hey, thanks for your input. Gerry's idea was great--I signed up for the 500e forum and was able to access all of the pictures for the location of the label. I was looking in the wrong location. The label in my car was actually located on a separate smaller wire as part of the harness located behind the large electronic "black box" where the battery would otherwise be located in most vehicles, not on the main bundle of wires for the harness. I was pleasantly surprised that the harness had been replaced in 1999.

Thanks,
Brian

[anziani]

Jim B.
I agree. My '95 E420 is a super car. Have had it for 4 almost trouble free years. Had no problems but replaced the harness anyway. My car was owned by a NHL star who started off in Canada and ended up with the Anaheim Ducks. It had all options and was meticulously cared for. My wife drives it now while I "restore" my '93 320CE. It is a real struggle when it is time to go on a trip as to which car gets the nod.
Anziani

[mespe]

If you flex the actual wires where they get hot, and the insulation cracks into tiny pieces, you have the original harness.

If it doesn't crack, but you cannot bend the wires, you have an original harness.