Can someone please explain to me the difference between the Euro idle control valve (000 141 14 25) and the U.S. (000 141 12 25). What differentiates one from the other besides $190.00? I ask because I am in possesion of a new valve (U.S.) and would like to know if it is can serve duty in the Euro without harming the Idle Control Unit (which is decidedly different from the U.S. version of the Idle Control Unit). Thank you in advance for any help in this matter.

w.g. canon,

for all of us : what car are we talking about ( Wxxx.xxx? ) ?
I'll try my EPC but I am not shure American carparts are in there...
It's an European version.

Danny

The car is a 1984 European model 500 sec.

w.g.canon,
I am very sorry but my PC had a major crash so I can't view my EPC right now. And if your car is not a W 124, I wouldn't find it anyway.
If you want, I'll ask my mechanic. He is an independant MB specialist and has access to the WIS.

Danny

The electrical characteristics are different (resistance etc). I wouldn´t risk my idle control unit with improper valve.

I would check this out carefully before you install the valve. I have a euro motor in my US 380SL with US injection and idle control. I have a lumpy "hunting" idle. Everything seems to be working correctly. It just won't idle at 500 RPM.

I am beginning to think that the euro engines had either a different valve or controller to compensate for the "hotter" and increased compression.

Do you guys know the idle speed spec for the euro engine?

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Chuck,

I know this is a reply to an old post, but I'm going through the archives looking for a solution to a surging idle speed on my 500SL and came across this thread. First, the idle speed for the Euro 500SL is 475rpm...according to my mechanic.

Problem I'm having is I can be sitting at idle (475-500rpm) and the engine will surge anywhere from 100-300rpm. The idle never gets up to 1500rpm, which seems to be typical with the idle speed control unit. The idle speed control valve and unit were both replaced a couple years ago, so I'm hoping this isn't the problem so soon.

It doesn't appear to be an OVP problem either. The OVP was replaced about three years ago as well.

I'm leaning (hoping) toward the ignition control module, which I happen to have a spare in the trunk. However, I'm open for suggestions if anyone has something to offer.

Thanks,

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

Maybe the tach signal from the ignition control unit is shakey, causing the idle relay to think the idle speed has fallen. Can't hurt to try it if you have a spare. I would also look for a sporadic vacuum leak, or maybe the coolant sensor is getting flakey.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

Chuck,

I checked the engine control unit after I drove to work this morning (about 18 miles) and it was barely warm. Checked it again after I got home this afternoon and it was quite hot. So, since I had a spare in the trunk, I decided to go ahead and replace it.

It usually only surged after being driven for a few miles, so I don't know if engine temp is a factor or not. I replaced the temp sensor (near the water pump ???) a couple years ago as well. If this is what you're referring to, then that shouldn't be the problem. However, it may bear swapping out again if this doesn't fix the problem. I drove it to a restaurant near the house for dinner, but probably not long enough to get the engine temp up...i that's the problem. I'll drive it to work again tomorrow, which should give me a feel for whether that's the problem or not.

I'd hate to try and run a vacuum leak to ground, but that will be one of the next tasks to tackle if swapping the unit didn't fix the problem.

I appreciate the tips on what to check out.

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Don
'85 500SL (Euro) - 186,000 w/a complete restoration and engine rebuild at 154,000
'95 C280 - 174,000

I replaced my idle control module and “valve” to cure idle surging to 1200 RPM. I bought them off this site and I think they were for a 500SEC. The valve was aftermarket, not MB. I have an idle of about 600 RPM on the car’s tachometer. My idle is good but I have replaced the ignition control module (cured dying) and the fuel injectors which made the biggest difference in idle quality. But at certain temperatures the idle surges 50 or 100 rpm. If the car runs for 30 min and is up to temp it seems to run great but after an hour on the road it seems to surge but just a little bit. My mechanic thinks it runs very well. He also said the US 93 octane is still too low for the Euro car. One of the MB dealer troubleshooters said that these cars never idled very well. For best results change plugs, wires and fuel injectors. Vacuum leaks are sometimes the problem. These are all my amateur opinions. Good luck.

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Steve
1985 Mercedes 500SL Euro (Gray market)
1995 BMW 520i Euro (Gray market)
1992 BMW 525it Wagon
1994 Honda Del Sol Si