I'm sorry ... I must be getting old (I am old) ... I remember hooking up a cable from the gas pedal to the AMG engine throttle body I pulled out of a wrecked C36 when I stuffed it into a black market E190 16V ... about 7-8 years ago. I don't recall a "throttle motor" on the '95 C36 intake manifold ... MB must have gone to throttle-by-wire in 1996. However, my memory is so damn foggy. I have never really had to fool with my E320 ... so I assumed it was a cable actuated throttle body. ... sorry. I'll price the throttle motor and see about RR it.

Ok ... will certainly keep the code reader in the car ... and if the ASR fault message comes on again ... I'll immediately read the code before "rebooting" the car. I'll go ahead and order the brake light switch now ... can you tell me about where it is located so I can start looking for it? If it is too much of a contortion for my decrepit old body I'll have to ask a young guy I know to wrench it for me. Thanks.

Holy Hanna! Now I am confused and decidedly upset!

Take a look at this: http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=catalog.mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1W810D47Z1W81419W4&year=1996&make=MB&model=E-320-002&category=C&part=Throttle+Actuator

When I went to look for the "throttle actuator" it says: "Note: Not for models with ARS Cruise control actuator only for models without ASR." And the thing costs $1514.70!

Now does this mean this part does not fit on my engine? And, if this is not the throttle body actuator for my 96 E320 ... where do I go to find one? I sent an email to Phil ...maybe he knows. And how can I be more certain this is the mother that is causing my ASR fault? Man, this is one heck of a big purchase just to try and see if this is the problem...

I ordered the brake light switch ... $23 shipped to my house ... I can handle that ... that's a throwaway price .. but $1500! Oh man ... I'm retired ...
Maybe we can start up a collection (LOL) ...

You're in luck the throttle actuator for ASR models is actually cheaper than the one without ASR - one of the few breaks bestowed upon ASR owners. And you may not want to get a new one anyone - rebuilts units are available. But before you do that you should eliminate all other (cheaper) possibilities.

You betcha ... I wish the local dealer was worth a darn here ... but its not. My old dealer in Virginia was super ... even lent his bays out and had technicians around on Sundays for MB Club Members ... here in Sarasota you never know what you are going to get from the dealership. I know an old crumudgeon German guy that owns a strickly-MB shop ... I'll take the thing to him and see what he says ...

Does anyone out there have any cheaper possibilities or ideas that can lead me to the culprit turning on the ASR fault message and making the car go into limp home mode? I've put air in the tires and I am replacing the brake light switch. So far only $23 in the hole ...

If I didn't have to cross Aligator Alley with a couple of old ancient ladies in the car I would just see what happens ... but I need to be pro-active. If I break down in the Alley this time of year in this heat ... it'll be tough on my mother and sister. Anyhoo ... guess I need to chase this down some ...

Thanks for all the help so far ... c

Try a search. It seems to me it can be something as simple as a floor mat restricting the gas pedal, or throttle linkage out of adjustment, or a dirty throttle actuator, or bad throttle actuator wiring. They do go bad but it's also a common misdiagnosis. My parts supplier told me that he gets a lot of followup phone calls saying the new throttle actuator didn't solve the problem and at those prices a lot of people want to return.

Ok, thanks. I keep wondering if I'm not focusing on the wrong end of things. After all the ASR is all about traction control. Perhaps its because of the way I framed the question and the information I provided about the throttle. The crux of the problem is the fact that the ASR fault message came on and the car would not respond to the gas pedal although the engine was on and at idle. Something had to make that ASR system fault. Like the gentleman said earlier on .... check the tire pressure ... which I did and I had to add air to get the pressure up to snuff. I think what I'll have to do is simply wait for the incident to happen again and then see what codes are tripped ... before I "reboot" the car ... again following an earlier recommendation. Simply replacing the TA on a hunch is just too expensive a proposition. And, if it get down to that ... believe me .. I'll be hunting down a used TA. In the meantime ... I might have a full-time MB mechanic take a shot at a diagnosis ... then consider his suggestion. Again, if it weren't for the need for a reliable set of crossings to get from the west coast of Florida to the east coast ... I would just wait it out ... or maybe even ignore the problem. Again, thanks to everyone for their thoughts and recommendations.

C

I have read and learned a bit on this website. I think that I should share my expensive experience with you guys.
My car is 94 S420, I have exactly the same problem as you describe... the engine is on but no power to the transmission, ASR light lit up, turn off the engine and start normally as it never happens. This happens just once in a while, it only happens when I apply brake especially when it rains. I bring my car to change a harness... it costs me CAN $1300.00... Just seconds after I leave the shop.... it happens exactly the same... Holly cow... So... I change the brake light switch ($25.)... And ... the problem is solved. I believe that this switch is not only light up the brake light and release the shift gear solenoid but also send the signal to the computer to dis-engage the engine from the transmission. To test this, I put my car on Drive gear, one foot on the brake and the other on the gas pedal, the car does not force to go forward. which means that when I apply brake, the engine and transmission is actually dis-engaged.
I hope that this helps and makes sense to you

Cars I had
1991 560SEL
1994 S420