This is classic for this era...for a while MB was doing them free as goodwill. If you are the original owner they probably still would but they don't extend the courtesy to the great unwashed masses who can only afford used.

The mid 90's were a time when MB experimented with bio-degradable wiring insulation...only thing is it degraded while the cars were still being driven. Yours lasted much longer than most.

If it is any consolation the job is not too difficult to tackle yourself I have heard and I don't think the replacement harness costs anywhere near $1200. You might just do a seach here for wire harness replacement and see all the threads.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz