Hey everyone,


Hoping to keep this short. I've got a 1995 e320 (104.??? w124) engine, that is having acceleration and power issues. I've tried troubleshooting this and I'm making no progress.

Rather than expounding on the many issues, I was hoping someone can direct me to a starting point. I've been attacking this beast on and off for a couple years and I'm getting nowhere. I've just burnt myself out poring over 8 of the 17 pages of search results pertaining to 95 e320's... If someone can tell me where to start, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for your time folks, any assistance is appreciated.

There is info in this forum about building a simple code reader. When I had my W124, maybe 11 years ago now, it's hesitation and stumping issues turned out to be the MAF sensor.

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Prost!

first carefully check throttle body wires,they can degrad causing all sorts of problems,check engine harness too.Check a vac hoses.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

Be sure the spark plugs and spark plug wires are factory specification - what the manufacturer says to install. People install "better" parts according to advertisements and what the auto parts guy says, but the auto parts guy is NOT AN ENGINEER!

Listen to the advice of the manufacturer.

Then do a compression test on every cylinder. No point in going further if the engine itself needs to be rebuilt!

Next replace regular maintenance items per factory service manual instructions. Spark plugs, rotor, distributor, air/fuel filters, change oil, etc.

And then do a fuel pressure test and fuel system internal leak test.

Check battery voltage and charging system.

Check for vacuum leaks.

That should solve most common problems. After that if still having problems, start checking individual things per factory service manual instructions. Don't guess, test these things as directed.

If you don't know how to do these things, take it to a mechanic. Throwing parts at a problem (replacing parts just guessing) can cause MORE problems! Parts may be wrong or improperly installed.

Just a note:

The M104 engine does not have a conventional ignition system. Three computer controlled coil packs handle spark. Coil packs are maintenance items, they fail over time. If you have a problem with two cylinders, coil pack may be bad.

Jim

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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

Hey guys,

First - Wow! Thank you all for the suggestions and advice!

Second, I literally don't have time to reply to everyone tonight, but I'll be back tomorrow - thank you so much guys, this gives me hope that I might actually be able to revive this ornery rustbucket!

I'll reply tomorrow with what I've already tried, what I've replaced, and requests for clarification on a few points; I was hoping there was a "Introduction to ______ vehicle, start here!" sorta thing, but you guys surprised me with the outpouring of advice.

I'll be back, I've got to get some quick sleep and turn around for another 18hr day.

If you post your location it might help you.

I have a new OE coil pack and a home-made code reader. Common problems with these engines (I've owned three, two of them well past 100k miles) include the coil packs (why I kept a spare), the EGR line (clogs), head gasket, and the engine wire harness.

First step I agree is to get a code reader (or build), read the codes.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Number 1 is check for codes, common failure no 1 is airmass meter, 2 is coils, 3 is coil boots under coils , after that everything and anything air leaks , throttle etc , post codes findings first , you need to check voltage of airmass, it may not set a code, coils and boots will set a code , good luck

Guys, I'm sorry to just drop in and leave like this again - They towed my damn car! I had it parked legally, nothing wrong with it at all, and they towed it illegally... Argued for nearly an hour, looks like I've gotta round up a constable and catch a ride down to the storage lot tomorrow... smh... updates soon, I promise. Good night folks, stay safe.

Im no expert but pretty knowledgeable on these, owned two and hve 90% restored my current wagon..Electricl issues first, wiring harness on engine and the electronic throttle..must be okay or you waste your time. Then the fuses need cleaned and changed to copper from the original aluminum which corrode..cause all sorts of gremlins..Then a new upgraded OVP relay which is pretty cheap..start eliminating the trouble codes and ...any cyl head issues/ head gasket or egr system with typical clogging up of the air tube and cyl head ports..

Some mechanics refuse to diagnose drivability problems on these models until the original engine wiring harness has been replaced.