Is there any way to check by looking at the vehicle is the wiring harness has been replaced. My can has 40k on it and I just purchased it from the original owner.

Never thought to ask if this or the head gasket had been done.

B.T.W. is this car a maintnance head ache? Iam used to the good old turbo diesel sherman tank.

Please advise.

Thanks

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Ryan
1985 300D Turbo Diesel
1984 200 Euro

You can check the wiring by looking at the wires at the front of the engine. Remove some of the sheathing to expose the insulation. Prepare yourself to be appalled at what you see.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 169K

Looking for crumbling insulation and finding it could actually cause the harness to fail right away. If it is original you will likely have to replace it soon but that doesn't mean you want an inspection now to cause the failure. I would try to get the part number and ask the dealer whether that part number is the original or a replacement. The part number is near the source plug by the battery. You may to unplug to find it. If the car is running OK doing nothing is an option.

Sadly these cars are rather maintenance intensive at this age in their life - and parts have become very expensive, in many cases double what they were 3 years ago. But you do have a very low mileage example. Many of the troublesome and expensive systems were introduced with the HFM engine management system in 1993 - more sophisticated when new but not aging very well. The pre-93 SOHC 103 motors will probably have better long term operating viability.

These pages will give you an idea of what to look for...

http://v12uberalles.com/AMM_rewire.htm

http://v12uberalles.com/throttle_actuator_rewire.htm

__________________
1995 S600, 1 of 618 (sold)

"Speed is just a question of money...how fast you wanna go?"

LONG LIVE THE W140!
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Check the manufacture tag on the harness itself where it runs behind the battery and to the ECU. There should be a manufacture date printed on it.