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  #16  
Old 09-10-2012, 01:22 PM
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Installation of upper wire loom W140

To replace the upper wiring loom is relatively easy. I did it in less than an hour. Clip the old one out loosen a few nuts, thread the new wiring loom though where the old one was, connect and walla done.

I need to get a lower loom now and try the same again. I must say I have had MB before, but this beast is definately a Friday car (shoddy work). Everything that could go wrong has. The tranny lost reverse ($3000), evaportator leak ($2500), rear window motor ($850), Blower motor ($360) did it myself, Upper wiring harness ($850) did it myself, lower sound insulation rubbing on drive shaft (juryrigged back up), and now the lower harness is going gone out (still trying to decide if it is worth it to fix now)

Quote:
Originally Posted by ddrake3 View Post
All,

I've been told I need to replace my 1994 S420 wiring harness. The MB dealer wants $1500 to do it, but I'd rather pay Phil $450 for the part. Would this be a hard replacement?

Thanks!

Don


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  #17  
Old 10-29-2012, 03:46 PM
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does the wiring harness issue apply to 1999 car?
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  #18  
Old 10-29-2012, 04:48 PM
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96-99 cars are built with a different coating and doesnt happen as much. I have had a 96 S500 harness fail but it was only the wire ging to the crankshaft position sensor.
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  #19  
Old 11-09-2013, 05:08 PM
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While on my hunt for a later model MB, I spoke with Vstech about the C series. His big warning was bout the wiring harness. Looked at two with the original and in just moving the covering back 1/8 to 3/16" it was obvious the harness wire coverings were coming apart.

Seems to be a major $$ issue with 93 to 95 or 96 MB's.

As an example, the C280 harness Ive heard of quotes in the $1200... plus labor.
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Last edited by TnBob; 11-12-2013 at 11:44 AM.
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  #20  
Old 11-11-2013, 10:36 PM
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I have heard some people say that even some of the early '96 models have the self destructible wiring harness. lol.

**Well now I have a couple of questions of my own. So just how many different harnesses can fail on the W140's? I originally thought it was only the engine harness, then I heard later that there is one on the ETA/throttle body that can go bad, then I heard one for the fuel injectors can go bad and now I hear there is another one for the alternator/starter/oil level indicator... it is making my head spin!

I know that the main engine harness on my '93 400SEL was replaced (about 4 years ago), but I see no other records that any other harness was replaced.

My car had been having problems where at times it would not want to start when hot, or when it would start when hot for about the first 4 minutes, it was like it was running out of gas, then it would clear up. I read where a faulty ETA harness could cause this, but I was also told that the EZL relay could be bad. I have since replaced it with a used one, but have not got brave enough yet to get it on the road to test it, but plan to this weekend.

Are there any easy ways to check the other harnesses and again, how many different ones do these cars have that go bad?

Thanks!
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  #21  
Old 11-12-2013, 12:27 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Ontario, north of the border
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Here is a question - is it true
some special cars were under "Hidden Recall" and dealers quietly replaced the wiring harness during routine service.?



I saw 1996 A320 Convertible ( W124 chassis , M104). Black with black top
203 K km, not miles. All working.
It is not a mistake - Production date Dec 1995, MY 1996
The car is European delivery, Canadian Market. Equipped with Cellphone and CD changer.
The car is single owner / single driver car / full service history. The owner is German. It means he can show receipts from McDonalds since Barnie and Fred.

PS> Question for knowledgeable seniors and senoritas: Whats should be a fair market price for this car?

Under the hood -- a strange harness - without under-bat sticker, huge control interrupter ( aka special fuze near the battery compartment ).

I have a hard time to believe that 1995 car still can run on the original wiring harness without any issues.

No service records states wiring harness replacement.No issues of Wiring harness or degradation whatsoever.

Last edited by ncc.1701; 11-12-2013 at 12:37 AM.
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  #22  
Old 11-12-2013, 03:43 AM
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Location: El Dorado Hills, CA, USA
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I own two W140's 96 S320 and 98 S500.

My understanding is all the W140's of a 1995 and below manufacture date which is a "1996 car". Had the issue of the harness. My 96 only had the issue with the harness in the mirror area. My 98, no issues at all. All the "Drive by wire" cars do not have this issue which are 96-99 V8 & V12, and 97-99 S320

Their are many cars in the junk yards with the updated harness' on them. The updated harness' have the words" Delphi" on a label on the harness. It takes about 1/2 day to a day to change out a harness. The V12 will cost you more effort because everything is just tight..

Their is a Mercedes test procedure to rule the harness as the culprit if the obvious of cracked insulation is not seen.

The V12 harness is $2k at dealer wholesale pricing.

Remember you got to pay to play Mercedes. Just because the car was purchased at $1k. The part prices are 2013 prices.

Martin
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  #23  
Old 11-13-2013, 09:55 PM
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How many different wiring harnesses do these cars have that go bad other than the main engine harness?
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  #24  
Old 11-17-2013, 04:26 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 86560SEL View Post
How many different wiring harnesses do these cars have that go bad other than the main engine harness?
Ho-hum, I guess no one knows??
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  #25  
Old 11-18-2013, 01:54 AM
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From what I see it is a hit and miss. I go to the junk yards a lot, and some cars never have the issue show up, and some the wires are just awful...

The whole car wiring does not go bad. Just the engine and mirror. A Mercedes document exist that test for a wiring harness issue..

Thinking of a W140, just get a 96 or later car, or ask about if the harness has been replaced.

Martin

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