My used module failed after a short time working so I'm apprehensive in buying used again. Spending $1800 for new or rebuilt is not the best economics either for coupes you can currently buy for $2500 to $6000.

Has any electronics guru tried to fix these? What's so unique about them besides the connectors? Why does rebuilt cost nearly as much as new?

BTW, let me know if you have a used module, I would still consider it given my choices...

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'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

Always a good idea to post your year and part number or numbers.

You usually cant fix modules, might want to visit the programa website and see if they fix modules. But other than that your only option is buy another module from the dealership

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

016 545 0432
101 545 9532
012 545 2132
012 545 2032
007 545 7132
007 545 7032
010 545 3932
010 545 9632
013 545 8332
010 545 9532

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'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion

pifcat2, the ignition control module (ICM) in our daughter's 1991 300CE failed and we had a difficult time getting a replacement. Our local MB dealers claimed new ICM's were backordered for the 300CE's and unavailable. Finally after pressing the owner of one dealer the Parts Department Manager realized the 300SL engines used the same ICM and got one for me overnight, and the owner discounted it to $1,750 due to all the hassle. These ICM's can't be rebuilt because the internals are epoxied ... so the remanufacturers cannot determine what the internal components are ... at least that's what a rep at Beckmann Technologies told me when I called them seeking a rebuilt unit. A critical feature of these ICM's is the white heat-conducting paste on the back. If the paste coating is compromised/missing you can buy heat-conducting paste at Radio Shack. Also, our local indie stressed the importance of regular maintenance/replacement of the distributor cap, rotor, spark plugs and ignition wires to prevent ICM failure.

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Fred Hoelzle

I have two 1992 300s, one an E which was totaled by insurance company about a year and a half ago and one TE. The E had some rearend damage that did not look bad but was costly to repair.

I have not offered any of the parts from the totaled car for sale because I wanted to save them since nearly all mechanical and electrical parts are the same. In fact I swapped the engine and transmission, and numerous other accessories from the E to the TE, the E only had 135K mile on it when it was totaled and I had personally serviced it from the time I bought it with only 50K mile on it.

I took a photo of the part I think you are talking about. Is that it?

Attached Thumbnails

 

That looks like the ABS computer Ron.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Is the ignition module located on the driver's side front fender with a bunch of stuff pluging into it?

Yes, drivers side front fender. When I sold a used one ($15!), it was the EZL. The module behind the battery is the computer ECU. Unsure of the CE cars, but used EZL for 300E (M103) are available quite reasonable on ebay.

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Hanno
'79 6.9 Sold (after 27 years)
'83 280SL, 5 spd.
'94 E320 Sdn. 5 spd conversion
'02 E320 Sdn.(on loan to mom!)
'87 300E (5 spd. conversion) Sold
'05 E500 Wagon

Ive given some thought to what really goes on in the 560SL's EZL (later cars may be more sophisticated) and there is probably a microprocessor with a map of vacuum (load), wide-open throttle (digital switch), coolant temp and RPM built into its ROM vs "proper" advance of the ignition, in front of the big transistor switch that fires the coil. The reference resistor changes the map.

It would probably be easier to build an entire new module from scratch, the problem with that is certifications, etc. The connectors are unique and would require some tooling. There are some clues in the shop manual on what the map might look like at a few points but who knows what it is outside of those points. Heh, heh, you could probably reverse engineer this by developing a "spy" piece of hardware with software that would record all of these parameters vs the ignition advance, and drive around with it for a while!

It's a damn shame that it's sealed and potted because 99 out of 100 times, it's probably the big transistor switch.

If Programa actually wanted to do this, I'm game to build and program it

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

I know the current prices of new and rebuilt ICM's. I know this module is unique to the low production 300CE coupe and 300SL.

There are 3 companies that prove some but not all modules are rebuildable. Even being encased / insulated, high heat and rust appear to shorten the life span. Warranty's, overhead, and low production quantity still drive the rebuilt cost over $1000 to nearly as much as current (FastLane parts) new cost of $1775. Still hard economics to digest.

I'd like to know if anyone who's electrically savvy has put together an affordable alternative. If no one has attempted this, I can talk to some of my engineer friends who might redesign and improve upon this mid-eighties part. The housing can be used for the connectors so a box below it can be built with the components and a better heat sink. Any help on diagrams, testing the module, or sources for the connectors will be appreciated. I realize this is just part of the ignition system but there are complete engine control systems available for not much more than $1000.

BTW, if you are having problems with your ICM try tapping it to get you running. Apparently mine has a loose connection that will eventually fail.

Here are pics of the 300CE and 300E ICM's:

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________
'88 300TE, 175k, black RENNTech 3.6L Recaro C's AMG 1 SOLD
'92 500E, 110k, Spruce green, stock SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 130k, E500 wheels, Emerald green SOLD
'94 E320 Cabriolet, 110k, black, stock, SOLD
'88 300TE, 229k, dark grey, SOLD
'90 300CE, 212k, white, new paint, SOLD
'91 300E, 209k, white, rebuilt head SOLD
'74 914-6, grey, 2.7L 325hp twin turbo Audi conversion