1994 s320. Lately I've been noticing oily spots on the driveway, so today I decided to give the lower engine and transmission area a degreasing/cleaning to try and identfy were the leaks are originating. Drove the front wheels up on a pair of car ramps and proceeded to spray some degreaser solution and clean up the oily dirty areas. Once done I backed the car off the ramps and attempted to go for a drive. The ASR light came on and the car would barely move no matter how much the accelerator was depressed, the RPM did not increase stayed at 750. Turned the key off and restarted the engine put it in drive and drove for about half a block, ASR light came on again and car would not accelerate. Had to do this restart routine several times to get the car back home. Any Ideas as to what the symptoms are to cause this ASR problem.

Was that car affected by the crumbling wiring harnesses? I will guess something has gotten wet. Hopefully it will dry out in time. Hopefully someone else has a better answer.

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

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Nope..that is the best one ........

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A Dalton

I'm aware of the wireing harness problems with this model so I tried very hard not to get it wet or diturb, but.
I got the car from my brother inlaw as a gift 8yrs ago. He couldn't tell me if the harness was ever changed. When he owned it and whenever some thing was wrong with the car or it needed its regular maintenance work he simple dropped it off a MB dealear and paid the bill.
I had a look (accessable visable areas)at the wiring harness its not crumbling from what I can see, but areas were wet, I used some compressed air to remove any noticable sitting moisture. Left car in the sun with hood up to dry. This morning it started ok but the belt started to sqeal like crazy, couple of increases in RPM and it stopped squealing and the ASR came on. Turned ignition off and restarted, light was off, idled the car till it warmed up periodically reving it up, ASR did not come on again.....so far. Just another question but would a low brake pedal affect the ASR to come on. I'm due for a rotor change. Last brake pad change rotors were getting down in thickness but still some good life in them. Last week during my tire rotation I also checked and measured the rotors (6months since pad change) and they were .oo5 below minimum now, smooth and evenly worn.

Ah, the mysteries of ASR and the 320 engine.

Check for power steering fluid leak at front seal contributing to belt squeal.

I have intermittent ASR issues when the weather is cold/wet. The most common causes cited here are: voltage regulator, stop light switch, throttle actuator, throttle position switch, and ABS sensors in wheels.

What is confounding is that it does not happen in warm weather. It first occurred nearly two years ago when the temperature was below freezing. Then it started happening when the temps were in the 30's/40's. Then when at or below 50. Now it occasionally occurs below 60. Either A.) some temperature-sensitive component has progressively gotten worse (i.e., coolant temp sensor); or B.) a switch is dirty and gummed up and cold weather causes it to remain stickier and not function properly until warmed up (i.e., stop light switch or throttle position switch); or C.) some electrical connection on or near the engine is affected by heat, behaving well when the engine is warm/hot, and poorly when cold. A & B seem most likely.

If, after I clean and/or replace my stop light switch, the problem persists I'll replace the coolant sensor. If it still occurs, I'll just live with it. It's only an occasional nuisance.

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2008 E350 4matic / Black/Anthracite

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Gone but not Forgotten:
2001 E430 4matic, 206,xxx miles, Black/Charcoal
1995 E320, 252,xxx miles, Black/Grey
1989 260E, 223,00 miles, Black/Black

I've lived with belt squeal for 2yrs but ASR never came on. Changed belt Twice. It occurs on cold or damp or rainy day startups, reving the engine slightly a couple of times gets rid of it. Also notice a quick cherp if accelerating quickly and then when letting off lick when passing another vehicle.