Had a close call with my 400E today when my accelerator got stuck at about 70mph, car kept accelerating, lucky for me it came loose by itself and I was able to pull over and check it out. Looks like some part broke in the accelerator cable linkage. I took a picture in hopes that someone could identify the part , perhaps I could replace it ASAP. Quite a scare , felt like I was driving the German "Christine" there for a moment .

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I don't think the white sleeve on the left should be there. I'll take a picture of mine and post if for comparison.

You should also look at the end of the cable where the circular end goes into the little plastic box, that box can break making the cable not attach to anything stalling the engine or just leaving it running at idle. It happened to me on the I5 in the middle of Cali going about 90mph on the freeway. Luckily I fit a piece of cardboard in and it did the trick. The dealer said they break all the time and the piece is only $5 so it's good pm.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Here's a pic of my linkage. I have some tape on mine over to the right, so if that area looks different then that's what it is. The reason for the tape is the plastic connector cracked and doesn't justify buying a new cable.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Now after looking at both pics it very apparent that the white plastic sleeve over the cable slid out on your linkage and is causing the linkage to jam. If you see on my picture there is no white sleeve visible since it goes inside the cable sheeth, where the sheeth ends and the cable comes out.

I don't know if the made any sense since I don't know the proper terms for any of this.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

Mine has broken too. I just cut some rubber tubing and placed it there. Could you post the part number for that 5 dollar part? I was trying to buy it at the dealer one day and they said that I had to by the whole cable.

Thanks,

Andy

I can't find the part # on it, but have them pull up a diagram of it. The dealer I went to knew it right off without me even having to speak 5 words.

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1992 Mercedes-Benz 400E
2002 Mercedes-Benz ML500

I have a 1995 E420. is there any lubrication / maintenance I can do to make sure that the cable / linkage is in good operating condition?

I used to think that i had a Throttle Position Sensor - but since my car has no ASR, I don't think I do.

Thanks.

Troy
1995 E420 78k

I had that same little plastic nut fall apart on mine a few months ago. I replaced the whole cable....took me about 1/2 an hour.

It's not that expensive ($31.50 here) and now I know that there is no slop between when I step on the accel. pedal, and when the linkage begins to move. Plus, I have piece of mind.

-Larry

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Larry,

Long time, no see post! I hope life is treating you well.

Have a great day,

y2kimmel - you do have a throttle position sensor it is under the MAF sensor just like all of us with M119. But your part number for TPS is different than cars who have ASR.

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

I will probably buy a new cable too. How hard was it to get through the fire wall? Are there any complexities in connecting the cable at both ends?

Thanks,

Andy

Not that hard.

Take all of your carpeting out. Remove the plastic clip at the bottom of the accel. pedal. (you might prefer to "sit" upside down on your seat) There is a clip that holds the cable in place...remove it.
Go back outside (let blood drain from your head) and disconnect the cable at the linkage. You will see its just a matter of compressing and squeezing parts to get them out of their spots.
Push the cable through the first firewall (the one between the fuses and the engine). From there, I pulled on the cable, and after a reasonable tug, it came out.
Stick the new cable down the hole (the hole, although partially obscured by plastic lines, is "find-able")
I think that a good tug, got the end of the cable (it has "barbs" on it) got it back into its home.
On the top side, thread it back through the hole in the firewall, and connect them appropriately - save the fine-tuning for when you have the other end connected.
Once you're upside down again, replace the clip that holds the cable in place, and put the clip for the pedal base back on. (don't put the carpet back yet)
After your head has drained again, you can play with the adjustments -top side, and inside, so that you can get rid of any slop, and have instant response.

I know.. I know.. I should've taken pictures.

If my directions seem a little odd to understand, just get yourself underneath there, and take a gander...it's all pretty straight forward.

Good luck!

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Thanks alot.