Got my car back from the mechanic (Mercedes-expert shop) after a routine brake fluid flush and had asked him to look into an idleing problem I was noticing when the car came to a stop. The rev's go Up and Down/Up and Down (from around 1,000 RPM to 2,500 RPM) and ocassionally the car will end up stalling when the gas pedal is hit, (when starting to move again). The mechanic told me it was the throttle actuator that was the cause and laid it down for me!!!!!!! : !$1,900! PART + !$170! LABOR!!!

Please can somebody tell me if I should look into another area of the car or another cause of this faulty idleing, before I completely loose it!!!

Thank you,
Andrew Montoya
Orlando, FL

Your mechanic is probably right.

However, the problem could also be a vacum leak or a bad mass air meter.

I'd have him search for a vacum leak first, and if none found, then swap in a known good mass air meter, which can be replaced in about 15 minutes.

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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".

Price seems high. I remember reading around 1k for the part.

__________________
1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

About 2 years ago, the wholesale price was about $1,250, and the dealer price was about $1,400-ish.

Factor in inflation for two years, along with the hefty price increases that the factory has taken recently, and the quote you were given could be accurate.

There's one way to find out:

Call Phil here at Fastlane and get a quote.

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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".

Damn that is high.

1900 though?

__________________
1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold

You could also check car-parts.com.

I don't understand why there are no places to have these rebuilt. Some 93-95 Saab 9000s had similar electronic throttles, they are called TCS (Throttle Control Systems). They can be rebuilt for a few hundred. Why not the Mercedes?

You might check on the web. I think there was a place in the U.K. that does the rebuilds. I'm sure it would be cheaper to send it over and have it done then to buy a new one.

I have a 94 and I keep my eyes open to buy a spare.

-Charles