500E M119: Surging under load, gone when warm
 

Never thought I'd post in Tech Help... but anyway, we have adopted a W124 500E as a company car (UAE, don't ask...) and I am currently browsing the 500E Board and Peachparts forums for maintenance tips. Compared to the tractor-like W123, the E500 is quite a qualitative and technological leap.

THE PROBLEM
When I start the car and push the gas pedal to get it moving, the car experiences a very unnatural engine fluctuation. Unless I decide to drive in short, abrupt power bursts, I have to wait until the car reaches 40-60ºC for normal operation.

I am attaching a photo of a wire that has been hacked. Not sure what it is, but might be the culprit. Given the regular frequency of fluctuation, it might be a throttle/ETA issue.

What are your thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Well looking at the FSM on startek it looks like you're gonna have fun!

(See this

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12264/Program/Engine/119/misc/comb2_testing.pdf

or this

http://www.startekinfo.com/StarTek/outside/12264/Program/Engine/119/misc/comb1_testing.pdf)

If I were you I'd start by looking for vacuum leaks / air leaks - seems to be a past time for most people with late 1980s early 1990s Mercedes!