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  #1  
Old 12-11-2007, 11:09 PM
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1994 E420 - How can you tell if wiring harness has been replaced?

Will ALL 1990s W124s need to have this done? Or only certain years and models?

How can you tell if it has been replaced or not?

Thank you!

Looking at '94 E420, just want to be educated.

Thank you!
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Old 12-11-2007, 11:14 PM
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The 1993 to 1995 need to have it done. You'll need someone with an experienced eye to tell you; I'd suggest you find an MB only independent around and slip him a $20 and ask - was this done? Are you 100% certain?
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Old 12-11-2007, 11:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by POS View Post
The 1993 to 1995 need to have it done. You'll need someone with an experienced eye to tell you; I'd suggest you find an MB only independent around and slip him a $20 and ask - was this done? Are you 100% certain?
I am experienced mechanic and would probably be able to tell by comparing photographs, right?

Anyone have a photo of an updated wiring harness they can post?

Thank you!
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Old 12-12-2007, 05:41 AM
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There is a tag with the date on it right as it goes through the partition on the right side of the engine compartment.
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Old 12-12-2007, 09:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Pete Geither View Post
There is a tag with the date on it right as it goes through the partition on the right side of the engine compartment.
I don't think that's a production date. Seems to me I read that was a design date, which wouldn't really tell you anything. I wouldn't replace a 119 motor wiring harness without signs of a problem. They are not that bad - nothing like the 104 HFMs.
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Old 12-12-2007, 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by deanyel View Post
I don't think that's a production date. Seems to me I read that was a design date, which wouldn't really tell you anything. I wouldn't replace a 119 motor wiring harness without signs of a problem. They are not that bad - nothing like the 104 HFMs.
85MB300D,

the V-8 M119 wiring harness ALL GO BAD!! 500e500, 400e420

Been there and done that.

they are expensive and do need to be replaced. the heat and cheap materials destroy them.

there is also a lower one that goes bad too.

the only reason there are fewer of these that go bad is that there are fewer V-8's.

http://www.500ecstasy.com go to M119 section and research this

peter
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Old 12-12-2007, 07:57 AM
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There ya go! Did not know that.
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Old 12-12-2007, 11:14 AM
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Agreed. I happened to get an early M119 with a bad harness, but my understanding is that the failure rate is far lower for the 119 than for the 104.
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Old 12-12-2007, 11:30 AM
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Great information guys!

Thank you so much!
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Old 12-12-2007, 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by mrhills0146 View Post
Agreed. I happened to get an early M119 with a bad harness, but my understanding is that the failure rate is far lower for the 119 than for the 104.
Just opposite here. The harness on the 400E crumbled before 100K, whereas, the harness on the E320 still appears to be as new with 133K. Go figure.
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Old 12-12-2007, 07:37 PM
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Look at the wires where they are exposed at the temperature sensor in the thermostat housing. Poke at them with a screw driver. If the insulation crumbles you know.
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Old 12-13-2007, 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by 85MB300D View Post
Will ALL 1990s W124s need to have this done? Or only certain years and models?

How can you tell if it has been replaced or not?

Thank you!
Check out the attached picture that shows an "easy" place to inspect the wiring harness. It's NOT the best place but is easily done and will give you an real-world check to see if the wires are bad or starting to go bad.

Remove the front facade by lifting up and locate the farthest sensor on the right.

If it's 'bad' there, then it is in worse condition at hotter places. It needs to be replaced.
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1994 E420 - How can you tell if wiring harness has been replaced?-eng_harness_inspection.jpg  
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Last edited by JimF; 12-14-2007 at 10:38 AM.
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  #13  
Old 12-13-2007, 07:17 PM
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That sensor was the first place I noticed that the insulation on the wires was deteriorating. I think the insulation on the wires there is probably a fair and accurate representation of what you could expect for the rest of the wiring harness.
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  #14  
Old 12-13-2007, 08:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimF View Post
Check out the attached picture that shows an "easy" place to inspect the wiring harness. It's NOT the best place but is easily down and will give you an real-world check to see if it's bad or starting to go bad.

Remove the front facade by lifting up and locate the farthest sensor on the right.

If it's 'bad' there, then is in worse condition at hotter places. It needs to be replaced.
Amen, and that should settle that.
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