THrottle valve actuator for 1995 E320 wgn, w or w/o ASR?

[HTS]

HI

My mechanic has told me that I need a new throttle valve actuator for my 1995 E320 wagon. I have searched used parts web sites but they keep asking me if I want it with or without ASR. My mechanic does not know what ASR is. How do I know if I want the one with or the one without ASR?

Thx

[deanyel]

ASR cars have an "ASR" warning light below the instruments, and have a switch with a picture of a snow tire above the climate control buttons. You can also look up your option codes by entering your VIN number here: http://old.mbclub.ru/mb/vin/?lng=eng ASR is option code 471.

[Arthur Dalton]

To add to Deans info..
On that chassis , the ASR Lamp is next to [ left of] the Check Engine lamp...turn on the key and it will light up..there is also a big yellow triangle with an "!" mark in the middle of the speedo..that is ASR warning...
You have to use ASR designated parts on ASR systems. [ unfortunately]

[deanyel]

This could be a great mechanic but it sounds a bit exciting to have your throttle actuator replaced by a mechanic who doesn't know what ASR is. ASR has helped to put many children of MB mechanics through college - expensive, private northeastern schools.

[HTS]

Thank you, that has been really helpful.

One other question. I have found a replacement part. The vendor say that the part number is 000 141 57 25 from the parts book but doesn't seem to know anything about ASR either. Does anyone have access to a parts book and could confirm whether this the throttle valve actuator without ASR that I need?

Thx

[Arthur Dalton]

That is for w/o ASR.

Do you have ASR?????

[HTS]

Yes, I need w/o ASR.
Thanks, Arthur

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by deanyel

This could be a great mechanic but it sounds a bit exciting to have your throttle actuator replaced by a mechanic who doesn't know what ASR is. ASR has helped to put many children of MB mechanics through college - expensive, private northeastern schools.

I'll meet deanyel halfway on this one.

Yes, a mechanic who wants to replace a throttle actuator ($$$), but doesn't even know what ASR is should raise a few red flags.

As far as earning college money? No way. Diagnosing ASR issues on older MB's accurately, is very time consuming. If I had to depend on ASR money to send my kids to college they'd both be attending Community College.

On the other hand, whomever pockets the mark-up on the price of the parts is definitely in good shape.

[deanyel]

Joke, but ASR has undoubtedly created a lot of billable hours that don't exist on non-ASR cars, both diagnostic and finding and fixing things to which non-ASR cars aren't that senstive.

[Arthur Dalton]

I bet RENNTech made a few $$$ with their Defeat kits.............

[ILUVMILS]

Originally Posted by deanyel

Joke, but ASR has undoubtedly created a lot of billable hours that don't exist on non-ASR cars, both diagnostic and finding and fixing things to which non-ASR cars aren't that senstive.

I'm glad you bought up "billable hours". This has always been a subject worth discussing, which brings us back to the mechanic who doesn't have a clue about ASR.

Consider this scenario. A qualified technician (dealer or independant), who is able to properly diagnose the problem in a reasonable amount of time, vs. the guy who doesn't have a clue, and wastes countless "billable hours", at the vehicle owners' expense. Is it fair for the owner to be billed for more diagnostics because the guy working on the car doesn't understand the system, or doesn't have the equipment to find the problem faster?

What I'm trying to say is that the owner shouldn't have to suffer the expense of the technicians' "on the job training".

[deanyel]

It may be too late but I would not be surprised if this non-ASR throttle actuator could be brought back to life with a good cleaning, or maybe a re-wire. You hate to second guess the pros but if you don't know what ASR is ...

[EricSilver]

Originally Posted by deanyel

You hate to second guess the pros ...

I love to second-guess the pros -- in any profession -- because, in my experience, they have been wrong, or incomplete, so many times.

[Bob Weir]

Hi Arthur,

Thanks to you and others for all the help regarding my actuator R&R. 153+ and still running fine. With everyone's help, it really was an easy R&R, once you know the secret to getting it out through the 3rd & 4th intakes.

Bob