Canadians with wiring harness issues?
 

We're pretty aware now of the wiring harness issues on many models from 1992-1995/96 or so.

I was talking to an MB tech and he insists that Canadian models are immune, as the harness was unique to US cars.

This makes little sense to me, but sometimes the goofiest things are true.

Are there any Canucks that have had the wiring harness degrade?

John, i'm going thru an issue with my sel right now, and the harness had been suggested by several members as a possibility. The techs went over the harness and proclaim that it looks as new... I have seen nothing in my peering about that would indicate that the harness has degraded. The dealer and techs here indicate that they have not had an issue with harnesses at all. The only suggestion that they could come up with is that the overall climate here may be just enough cooler, or that there is something not present in the atmosphere up here.
I'm inclined to think that the climate is cooler, or that there was a different spec for northern countries. I wonder if anyone from the Scandanavian countries have had an issue with the harnesses?

Happy to say no issues with my harness, but I can sure feel my body degrading a little more every day. ;)

not in canada,eh?
 

i just saw one last month in a '92 300se(l).i thought the problem was limited to 6 cyl engines:eek: :(

I am glad to say NO :D

I am second owner of a 95 S320. No problems and the wiring harness looks fine. Either there was no problem, or the p.o. had it changed...can't tell for sure.

Hi from Scandinavia...

I have been checking most of my wires since I have a mysterious fault, but so far no indications of desintegrating plastics. My -94 car was originally sold in Germany and imported here four years ago, with only 12.000 km:s.
That it should be affected by heat sounds interesting since my problem is that the car doesn´t work in hot weather, goes into limp mode. But again, when cold down, it works perfectly and I doubt the wires can be so nasty...
I also think a short circuit would give a hint in the cars memory, but in my case it is rather a bad connection giving no values. Which can hardly come from bad wire insulation?
Anyway, all cables look just fine over here.
L.

Gotta eat crow here
 

The wire harness issue appears to be alive and well (at least in my sel) contrary to what the dealer techs and I thought. The harness broke down within 1" of the MAF connector, the rest of the harness (and we stripped it) from the computer box to the MAF sensor was fine. The area that the harness broke down (at the connector) is directly in one of the hottest area of the engine compartment.

I replaced the wiring harness on my 92 400E last year, I was missing a cylinder because a short circuit in the wiring harness, it cost me more than a $1000 only for part, Mercedes dealer claimed they never had any issue with the wiring harness.

BTW, I am in Ottawa, my 400E was originally delivered in Toronto in 1992.

So far I have had no issues with my wiring harness, but we have only had the car for eight months . . .

I should inspect mine and see, as I don't want to end up with a costly blown ECU!

Can anyone verify whether or not Canadian harnesses were made of the same biodegradable material and the US harnesses?

Regards,
Bryan

At least for my 400E, the wiring harness is the same as those on US models, the insulation was as brittle as dead tree's bark, it broke away and exposed bare metal with just a touch by fingers.

None so far @ 121K John! :)

The wiring harness issue does not effect 1998 models.

My 400e is from Toronto and at 87K miles (converted speedo) no problems....

Tracy, you're practically a Canadian!!