Too Many Parts? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alguerin · #1 05-25-2003, 06:12 PM

Hi, all. I'm new here--and a complete dullard when it comes to cars--and I have been reading the millions of posts on stalling.
I have a 1994 E320, 104 engine, 124 chassis, and I have the stalling at any speed/engine rev in park issue. It happened out of nowhere, no other problems beforehand.

My question is this: I went to my local Brooklyn dealership (Sovereign--not where I bought the car 2 years ago and where it has been serviced since day one, in Nanuet, NY), and I got the following list of things to replace:
1. wiring harness (there's a crack)
2. crank sensor
3. overload relay
4. air mass flow sensor
5. fuel pump relay
Also, it was recommended I change out the plugs, altho this was not crucial right now. Total: $2900.

Now, I am a blank slate on this stuff, so I apologize if this seems like a dumb question, but: Do I need ALL these parts on a car that was MB maintained and that the Sovereign shop foreman said was the best-maintained car he's seen in years?

I just need to know it's not a scam job. If it's a matter of covering all bases and avoiding future grief, I guess it's okay, since I'm such a "girl" when it comes to repairs and I have to take my 2 toddlers to day care in the car.

Please, any ideas? I finally have the $$ to do this, but I'd love to avoid being fleeced, since I'm currently (since 2001!) unemployed.
Ain't life grand?

stevebfl · #2 05-25-2003, 06:38 PM

Must of took some diagnostics to figure all that out.

If the harness is bad, it has to be replaced. If it is one of the ones that go bad (and it fits the year) replace it at the first sign.

It would be my contention that if one is having any of the effects of the harness problem it would be impossible to evaluate any of the components at the ends of the wires. The harness problem is really bad when it exists.

After that I would replace the OVP if it has a 5 as the fourth to last diget of the part number (I can't remember the whole number but the new OVP has a 6 and the old a 5).

alguerin · #3 05-25-2003, 06:45 PM

Thanks a million for the quick reply...
I know the tech foreman took the engine apart and did the diag himslef, so I guess he did a pretty thorough job.

I just wanted other opinions from those who know way more than I do.

xp190 · #4 05-25-2003, 07:45 PM

If your short on cash like I was when I got my MB, try first resoldering the relays such as OVP and fuel pump relay. I got quite a bit more life out of my fuel pump relay, but as soon as I had the money I replaced it. My OVP was resoldered too, although I didn't have any signs of it failing, Now I have three OVPs and can swap them as much as I want, got the other two for free at a junk yard, looked much better then mine

xp

Kestas · #5 05-25-2003, 08:03 PM

I doubt you need all these parts, but looking at it from the perspective of the mechanic, you have a problem that can be elusive to correctly diagnose and fix. The mechanic gave you a quote to cover all bases.

This is a case where the mechanic will keep changing parts until the problem goes away. As backyard mechanics, we've all been faced with this situations at one time or another.

If your engine wiring harness is original (you mentioned a crack - it's probably completely disintegrating!) it would be prudent to have it changed out. This is good money spent, and the problem may disappear with new wiring.

As for the OVP, the bad one is part number 000-540-52-45. The good replacement is part number 000-540-67-45. Again, this is good money well spent.

Depending on your relationship with the service department, you may want to have the mechnic requote with the above information. Have him address the wiring harness and OVP issue, then continue with diagnosis and repair if these two items haven't solved the problem.

blackmercedes · #6 05-25-2003, 08:41 PM

I'm with Mr. Brotherton on this one. The wiring harness is a well known issue on those cars, and can cause a litany of problems. Replace it. Talk nicely to a dealer and see if they'll cover a portion of the cost.

They'll give you some BS about your car being the first one they've EVER seen, and refuse, or maybe not. Worth a try.

Next, check the OVP and see if it has to go. Again, this is a well known trouble spot, and is easy and quite inexpensive to remedy.

Once those two things are out of the way, revisit the diagnostics. If the car is still running poorly, then diagnose the problem and don't just toss parts at it.

Both the wiring harness and the OVP cause the symptoms you have, and since the harness is shot, go ahead, or risk further trouble.

alguerin · #7 05-26-2003, 10:30 AM

Well, I definitely was going to replace the wiring harness, regardless...

I was thinking also of calling the dealer I bought the car from and seeing if I could talk to the tech boss there and get some advice from him.

What do you think?

If the original dealership weren't so far away, I'd go there and let them suss it out, but that's an hour and a half--with this stalling issue, it's a $300 tow.
So I can't keep going back to them...