Bowden cable adjustment on 1993 190E 2.3
 

I have a 1993 190E 2.3 with 161K on the clock. Recently, I started having problems with low idle when warmed up, especially on warm starts. I traced down that the linkage on the throttle body is not actuating the microswitch all the time (if I can catch it with a low idle and it doesn't die, I can click the microswitch and idle will pick up and stabilize). Anybody got pictures and a procedure for adjusting the cable?

Does the Bowden Cable play a part in this? That cable tells the transmission when to shift.

If it worked before, but the linkage is not quite tripping the microswitch now, perhaps lubrication is the answer.

If everything is working OK except tripping the microswitch, don't be in too big a hurry to start adjusting things.

The cable between the accelerator pedal and the linkage is also referred to as the Bowden cable. I found the archived Braingears site, and it has a procedure but it involves adjusting it inside the cabin and is very cryptic (at least to me) as to how to adjust it. I am planning on lubricating the linkage, as it does seem a little dry. I agree with you, I am hesitant to adjust anything until I know what I am adjusting. But its a little dangerous at this point, as it sometimes dies when I pull up to a stop sign or red light (the microswitch signals that the throttle is closed so that the IACV valve can moderate idle). My wife drives my car a couple times during a typical week, so I am anxious to get this fixed.

Our '91 did this a while back.

It took me some time and head-scratching to figure it out.

Turned out that the switch had become cranky. Sometimes the switch would not trip, but if you abruptly let the gas pedal up it would.

I replaced the switch and all was fine.

Arkie,

The cable from the accelerator pedal to the throttle is different from the Bowden cable. The throttle cable (that goes to the pedal) is at the top of the throttle lever, the Bowden cable is at the bottom. The throttle cable actuates the throttle, the Bowden cable is actuated BY the throttle cable and effects the shifting of the transmission.

Hope this is of some help.

Jeff Pierce.

any ideas how to adjust the bowden cable on 1991 190E 2.3? My car seems shift little early.

1-2 on 1700rpm

around 45 km/h, it shifted to 4 gears.

I want to adjust it and make little delay shifting