Hi,

I have a 1988 300E W124. How do I check to make sure that when the accelerator is at the floor, the throttle is opened completely?

I think my loss of power could be due to the throttle not opening completely when I floor the accelerator (even after I hit the kickdown switch and the car downshifts).

In other words, the car is not very "peppy"...I have this theory because there seems to be about an inch of free play in the accelerator - I can press on the accelerator about an inch without opening the throttle - therefore, I am thinking that maybe when I floor the accelerator the throttle is NOT opened completely, thus, it feels like my car doesn't have enough power?

Thanks in advance.

Take off the air cleaner housing and look at the spring located on the end of the throttle cable. It should have about 2mm of free play and no more. If it has more than the desired amount, just back off on the plastic adjuster.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks Benzmac.

One more question....I just realized that the free play at the
beginning is to activate the fuel shut off valve microswitch. Can I tighten the throttle cable so that this free play is gone, thus, the microswitch is always activated? What will happen if this microswitch is always activated?

Thanks.

It also allows for the idle switch to be activated DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN THIS. I would set it up with 2mm of free play as the book says.

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

In that case, is there any other way to make my car more "peppy"? I remember when it was brand new...it was really peppy - a slight touch on the accelerator and the car acclerates very quickly right away.

Thanks.

Have you had the engine on a scope lately? And have you had a tech look at it yet?

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Benzmac:
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM