I have a 95 E320 that is currently experiencing the typical ASR issue with codes that indicated the ETA is bad. The problem first occurred about 300 miles ago.....ASR light on at startup and limp home mode. Code 6 was read out. Waited till the next morning to take the car to my tech. On startup.......the problem was gone. Codes were still there, but no ASR light and no limp home.

Since then, the car has operated flawlessly..........for about two weeks and 300 miles. Then, when I started the car yesterday...........ASR lite is on and limp home mode. This time the system has not cleared itself as it did the first time.

From all the threads that I have researched, the issue appears to be the ETA. Unfortunately, we are talking about a $1700 part (according to my tech) and about 3 hours to install. I am trying to decide if the car is worth it....with 165,000 miles on it. I have had ALL the E320 issues........wiring harness (replaced)......leaking head gasket (did a valve job at 95K miles when we changed out the head gasket)..........and other electrical problems. But, I thought that was all behind me and that I could look forward to driving the car another 2 to 3 years.

So, here are my questions: Is there a more cost effective way to fix this item? Is $1700 accurate? If not, where would be a better place to souce the part? Could I use an ETA from a lower mileage wreck? And if so....what cars used the same ETA?

How difficult is the ETA replacement? I have a fair amount of experience working on these cars.......but the area around the intake manifold sure seems congested and hard to get to!

Any advice would be appreciated.

And, last but not least.........what if I replace the ETA and the problem returns? Has that happened to anyone who was diagnosed with a bad ETA?

Thanks in advance.

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Ernie Rossi

1989 Porsche Carrera Targa
1995 E320 Special Edition
2000 Lexus RX300
1988 190E 2.3

Where did you obtain code 6 from?

Even at $1,700 for a throttle actuator, I can't imagine a scenario where it wouldn't be worth it. Depending on the mileage, condition, and location, your car has to be worth somewhere between approx. $7,000 and $10,000.

Besides, who is going to buy a car with an ASR idiot light on and in limp mode?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Arthur,

Thanks for your response and question. I read the Code 6 at the test module which is fitted to this engine. When I took the car into the tech, he was able to confirm the Code #6 and also read some sub codes with a proper scanner. I don't recall the additional codes since I left his diagnosis sheet at work. I'll provide thiem tomorrow.

The interesting thing about this issue is that in the two instances in which it has occurred......it's been while starting the car.....didn't happen while the car was in gear and moving.

At any rate, how difficult is it to change out the module? And, do I have to do any re-programming of the new unit?

Any advice you could provide would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Ernie Rossi

1989 Porsche Carrera Targa
1995 E320 Special Edition
2000 Lexus RX300
1988 190E 2.3

Suginami,

Now you understand my dilemna. I live in Chicago, and market on my car is probably around $5000 given the mileage and overall condition. Mechanically, other than the problem mentioned in my thread, the car is in very good mechanical condition. The paint is tired, and there are the usual door dings.

So, if I don't fix the problem, my car is basically not worth much. If I do fix the car...........I will have put around $2500 into a car that was only worth about $5000 to begin with. Then there is always the possiblity that after putting $2500 into the car......that the problem returns!

My plans before this failure was to drive the car for about another 2 years before replacing it. Now, I am not sure what to do.

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Ernie Rossi

1989 Porsche Carrera Targa
1995 E320 Special Edition
2000 Lexus RX300
1988 190E 2.3

Yep, you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. Still, I think you'd be better off fixing the car. Even if you spend $2,500 (which seems like a lot), you'd still have $2,500 of equity in the car.

Without the fix, you'd have to find a real sucker to buy a car in poor running condition.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Well, I am working my way though the simple items. Took the front wheel sensors apart this evening. These probes were cluttered up with 160,000 miles of debris......but, cleaning them did not clear my ASR light, though since I reset the codes, there is no code readout from the computer. I was getting a Code #6 previously.

No answeers to my questions last night about how difficult it will be to change out the ASR computer. Some advice would be nice.

Regards.

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Ernie Rossi

1989 Porsche Carrera Targa
1995 E320 Special Edition
2000 Lexus RX300
1988 190E 2.3

$1700 sounds awfully high, even if it includes the labor. Shop around - I priced one not too long ago at well under $1,000. Very strange but it seems to be cheaper if you have ASR. It seems to be the most over-diagnosed MB problem. My parts guy told me once that he often gets a phone call later saying "well that didn't fix it". There's a wealth of information here on other things it could be.