Here they are...

Attached Thumbnails

         

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

So, I have read all the posts and spoken to my mechanic and it appears I am due to replace my harness(es). My question is, what are the cable part numbers (where can I find them? I have the MD CD but can't find the numbers) and what is the best deal out there for cables. I can replace them, at least most of them, myself but I would hate to go to the stealer that is making a buck off this manufacturing defect.

Any guidance is appreciated.

Lee can get most if not all of these wiring harnesses.
Call or email him:

Lee@peachparts.com
888-333-4642

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Bill Wood - Retired Webmaster
My Personal Website
1998 Mercedes E430
2010 Toyota Sequoia
My Photo Albums

[QUOTE=infoage1;927185]As most of you know, Mercedes has declined to own up to the engine wiring harness defect in the 1991-1996 model years, and issue a "goodwill" recall.

I just called MBUSA, and I am not *to say the least* satisfied by their response.

Following, is a list of ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT (updated 6-19-2006) reported consumer complaints (and a number of FIRES..!) that I found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website concerning the chronic engine compartment wiring harness failure suffered by 1991 through 1996 Mercedes Benz automobiles.

This list is not--by any means--meant to be complete, as it only lists those reports that I was able to locate. Note that the first complaint on the list is mine:
MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1996 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

If your Mercedes has suffered from the same defect (and it will), please call MBUSA and ask to speak to a supervisor at MBUSA who claims to have NEVER heard of this problem:

1-800-FOR-MERCEDES (1-800-367-6372)

In fact, as you read through the list, notice the arrogance by which the consumer is told this same lie, over and over, by MBUSA.

Please file your own complaint with the NHTSA here, and be added to the list:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/


edited on 10-25-05 to include model year 1991 vehicles...
edited on 04-22-06 to include model year 1996 vehicles...


Maybe with all the recalls GM is proposing might be a good time to raise awareness of our problems annd lack of recall?

At some point I saw post (here ?) to a person would rebuilds these harnesses for the 1991-1996 W124 . I cannot seem to find the information again. Would someone please provide a link . Links to any any DIY tutoril threans on this are also appreciated .

I think that link was to a fellow member's site, where he had a pictorial on rebuilding the harness for a V12. Pretty much the same in principle, except he had to deal with two ETA's.

Found a link! http://v12uberalles.com/throttle_actuator_rewire.htm

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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

Below is a reply I sent in today. Sorry the pictures I attached did not copy over.

Hello Kristin,
The document you sent me is an Adobe document which can not be modified. Therefore I am not able to make changes to your attached document. I have tried to add to the issue below.

What you wrote:
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 MERCEDES BENZ 300SE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IDLING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE AT A STOP SIGN AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS WAS FAULTY. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT THEY CLAIMED TO NEVER HAVE HEARD OF THE FAILURE AND COULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 100,500.


My additions (in red):
THE ISSUE AS DESCRIBED ABOVE IS FROM THE RESULTS OF A DRYROTTED ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. DURING THE TIME PERIOD THIS CAR WAS MANUFACTURED MERCEDES BENZ USED A BIODEGRATABLE MATERIAL FOR THE WIRE COVERINGS. THIS MATERIAL THROUGH THE YEARS COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT PRODUCED BY THE ENGINE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MERCEDES KNOW ABOUT AND HAS SINCE CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS COVER MATERIAL A FEW YEAR LATER. ALL THEIR MECHANICS KNOW THIS AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON EVERY MERCEDES FORUM THAT I HAVE FOUND. I AM TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF ACCURANCES RECORDED. THE REDESIGNED HARNESS IS A $600.00 ITEM WHICH IS WHY MERCEDES TENDS TO LOOK THE OTHER WAY AND REFUSES TO ACCEPT THIS AS A RECALL ITEM. THIS ITEM MUST BE ADDRESSED BECAUSE IF GONE UNATTENDED IT BECOMES A SERIOUS FIRE HAZZARD WHICH IS ALSO WELL DOCUMENTED AND WAS MENTIONED BY MY MECHANIC. HE ALSO STATED THAT MOST MECHANICS WILL NOT WORK ON THESE CARS UNLESS THE ENGINE HARNESS IS REPLASED FIRST. THIS IS BECAUSE THE CAR IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DIAGNOSIS IF THE WIRING IS NOT IN A GOOD WORKING CONDITION DUE TO THE FACT THAT FALSE SIGNALS ARE SENT TO THEIR DIAGNOSIIC EQUIPMENT.

MY MECHANIC ALSO PROVIDED ME WITH ADDITIONAL INFROMATION DIRECTLY FROM HIS MERCEDES BENZ PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURES MANUAL. IT IS RETYPED AND QUOATED EXACTLY AS THE MERCEDES BENZ DOCUMENTATION STATES.

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & DOCUMENTATION
VISUAL INSPECTION

1) VISUALLY INSPECT ALL ELECTRICAL WIRING, LOOKING FOR CHAFTED, STRETCHED, CUT OR PINCHED WIRING. ENSURE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FIT TIGHTLY AND ARE NOT CORRODED. CHECK FOR LOOSE OR DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ON STARTER MOTOR. ENSURE ALL VACUUM HOSES ARE PROPERLY…

NOW I ASK YOU; IF THIS IS NOT KNOWN BY MERCEDES BENZ TO BE AN ISSUE THEN WHY IS IT THE VERY FIRST THING IN THEIR PRELIMINARY INSPECTION THAT THEY HAVE ALL OF THEIR TRAINED MECHANICS LOOK FOR?

BELOW ARE SOME PICTURES OF THIS DEFECT:


(picture missing)
ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WIRING HARNESS THAT ATTACHES TO THE ENGINE’S CARBARATOR BASE WHERE FUEL CAN COME IN CONTACT VERY EASILY RESULTING IN AN ENGINE FIRE. ALSO NOTICE BARE WIRES THAT MAY CONTACT ONE ANOTHER WHICH COULD LEAD TO A SPARK AND RESULTING INTO AN ENGINE FIRE.



(picture missing)
ABOVE IS ANOTHER EXAPMLE OF A DRYROTTED ENGINE HARNESS WHERE WIRES ARE EXPOSED TO ONE ANOTHER.




(picture missing)
ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF BARE WIRING LEADING TO THE ENGING COIL, THE COIL HAS VERY HIGH VOLTAGE WHICH PRODUCES SPARK FOR EACH CYLINDER IN THE ENGINE. THE GREEN IS THE COPPER WIRE CORRODING.




(picture missing)
ABOVE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A CONNECTOR THAT SHATTERED WHEN REMOVED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT COULD NOT WITHSTAND THE HEAT UNDER THE HOOD.


I have documented and stated my case very well. If you or your organization NHTSA have questions or require further information please let me know. I believe that this is irresponsible on Mercedes Benz’s part to not address this very serious issue. It is not my intent to bash or disrespect Mercedes Benz in any way. They are known for making a very well engineered and safe automobile and that is exactly what I thought I was getting when I purchased mine. However, this issue has gone overlooked and it is my sincerest hopes to get it addressed through the Department of Transportation.



Best regards, Earl

OH DEAR !!!!

The dead links have been repaired.

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect/images

The Mercedes Benz 1991-1996 Engine Wiring Harness Defect website has a new home, and will be updated in due course. I will note, I have seen a large number of reported fires among the new consumer complaints:

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect

http://sites.google.com/site/infoage1/mercedes-benz-1991-1996-engine-wiring-harness-defect/images

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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

My guess is that we are now seeing the effects of deterioration in the starter cable/oil pressure sender/oil level sensor harness which includes the cable that connects the positive terminal of the battery to the starter solenoid. If this shorts to a pertinent grounding point it can carry full battery amperage and do some serious arc welding. In an earlier post I mentioned a torched 1994-95 wagon I saw in the middle of the road with the woman still in the driver's seat that I assume suffered that very fate. It is incredible that NHTSA has done nothing about this but got fully invested in the Prius unintended acceleration matter even though it was evident from the outset to any thinking person that it was driver error or, at least one well known instance, a hoax. So-called "junk science" at its finest. Mark

I believe that the harness caused a fire in my 500E. Cool morning the car had around 57,000 miles on it. Started it drove about 2 miles and smelled smoke but did not see any. Pulled up to stop sign and saw smoke drifting past my car and then coming from around the shifter. I pulled over looked under the car and then popped the hood and used extinguisher. A mx at the dealership looked at it and off the record said they had some problems with the harness's and it may have dumped too much fuel resulting in unburned fuel getting into the Catalytic converter. That seems to be where the fire started. I was lucky and am almost done with repairs.
Alan

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92 500E Silver 66k
82 Porsche 911SC 84K
68 Cadillac ( Gone Now )
03 Suburban Z71 200K
85 300SD 217k From Original Owner ( Dad )

Thanks for keeping the drum beating !

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

For the many MB owners that are following this, I am now finding a number of 1997 Mercedes engine wiring harness defect reports, among the hundreds reported to the NHTSA...

Also, there are several dozen reports of related fires within the NHTSA database:

MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

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MERCEDES-BENZ 1991-1997 ENGINE WIRING HARNESS DEFECT NHTSA COMPLAINTS

After reading through the narratives - some of them horrific - I wonder what metric NHTSA uses to decide when a recall is justified. Other manufacturers have only a handful of horrible instances, and the NHTSA is all over them. Does someone have to die first? Do they do a "cost to manufacturer" analysis?... because I personally believe NHTSA will back off on recalls that have a severe economic impact to the manufacturer.